Incoming students

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) during a mobility at the Sorbonne School of Economics

• When does the semester start?

  The academic year is divided into two semesters. The official academic calendar is available here. Please note that lectures and tutorials may not start in the same week.
  
  Course offerings, schedules, and teaching formats may vary from one semester to another. Final timetables are confirmed shortly before the start of each semester; therefore, it is strongly recommended to check the online timetable regularly after arrival.

   

• What are CM, TD, and DE?
  CM (Cours Magistraux) are lectures delivered to large groups of students, usually held in lecture halls.
  
  TD (Travaux Dirigés) and DE (Direction d’Études) are tutorials conducted in smaller groups. They focus on exercises, discussions, and practical applications related to the lectures. DE sessions are mainly offered in statistics and mathematics.
  
  Important: For economics programmes, attendance at TD and DE sessions is mandatory.
   

• When do CM, TD, and DE start?

  For the academic year 2025–2026, lectures (CM – Cours Magistraux) usually start first, while tutorials (TD and DE) generally begin one week later, according to the following schedule:
   

  • First semester
    Period: September 15 – December 20, 2025
    Lectures (CM – Cours Magistraux): Lectures usually begin during the week of September 15, 2025.
    Tutorials (TD / DE): Tutorials generally start one week later, during the week of September 22, 2025.
     
  • Second semester
    Period: January 26 – May 9, 2026
    Lectures (CM – Cours Magistraux): Lectures usually begin during the week of January 26, 2026.
    Tutorials (TD / DE): Tutorials generally start one week later, during the week of February 2, 2026.
     
• What are the academic holidays?

  For the academic year 2025–2026, the academic holidays are as follows:

  • Autumn break: October 25 – November 2
  • End-of-year break: December 20 – January 5
  • Winter break: February 28 – March 8
  • Spring break: April 25 – May 3

  No academic activities (lectures, tutorials, or examinations) take place during these periods.

• Which courses can exchange students choose?

  Exchange students may select courses from the official Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne online course catalogue :

  👉 https://international.pantheonsorbonne.fr/venir-paris-1-pantheon-sorbon…
  
  Only courses explicitly listed as open to exchange students may be selected.
   
  Once the courses have been selected, they must be indicated in the student’s Learning Agreement, which must be validated and signed by the student’s home university.

• Can I take courses in another department?

  Students registered in the Economics Department may take up to two courses per semester in another department, subject to approval by the relevant department.
  
  Please note that any procedures related to courses offered by another department (including schedules, attendance requirements, and examinations) are not under the responsibility of the Sorbonne School of Economics.
  
  If examinations from the Economics Department overlap with examinations from another department during the exam period, students may be required to attend the retake session for the other department’s examination (June/July).
   

• How many courses should I choose?

  The number of courses to be selected depends on the student’s Learning Agreement and the requirements of the home university. Course selection must comply with the academic regulations of both institutions.
   

• Can I modify my Learning Agreement after arrival?

  Yes. Changes to the Learning Agreement are common during the first two weeks of the semester.
  
  As syllabi for the Sorbonne School of Economics may not be available at the beginning of the semester, students are encouraged to attend classes before finalising their course selection.
  
  After this period, modifications to the Learning Agreement are still possible. All changes must be approved by: 

  • The student’s home university
  • The host department at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
• When is the Learning Agreement signed? How to sign it?

  The Learning Agreement is signed after pedagogical registration, once the final course selection has been confirmed.

• What is pedagogical registration?

  Pedagogical registration allows students to officially enroll in:

  • Lectures (CM)
  • Tutorials (TD, DE)

  Pedagogical registration is mandatory for all students and must be completed online.
  
  For students enrolled in the Economics Department, attendance at tutorials (TD and DE) is mandatory.