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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • How do I retrieve my transcript or diploma?
    To obtain a transcript, a certificate of achievement or the diploma: please consult the site: https://sciences.edu.umontpellier.fr/espace-etudiants/cursus-master/ Procedure: => tab "Students area" => Master course => request for transcripts => withdrawal of diplomas and certificate of achievement If you encounter any difficulties, please send a message to: fds-master@umontpellier.fr
  • How to apply for the 2023 academic year?
    For the back to school 2023, the application procedures are changing: ​ From February 1, 2023, get information on the Water Sciences Master on the page Find My Master. ​ Submit your applications between MARCH 22 and APRIL 18, 2023 Your admission may be subject to the examination of your application file, a competition, an interview. ​ Receive answers from June 23. Please note: responses to your applications for work-study training can reach you as early as April. Newly arrived foreigners (outside the EU) must go through the "Studies in France" scheme You will find more information on the "Application" page.
  • Foreign students via Campus France
    For foreign applicants: it is essential to contact the CAMPUS FRANCE office in your country, if necessary, to prepare your application file (CEF procedure ). Students from the following countries must pass through CAMPUS FRANCE: Algeria, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, South Korea, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Egypt, United States, Gabon, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Senegal, Taiwan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Vietnam. If you are a student from the above countries and already studying in France (therefore already have a student visa), you will then have to go through the application sites (AgroParisTech or UM). If you are a student from the above countries already in France, but with a visa other than a student visa, you will need to go through CAMPUS FRANCE to apply. Students from a country that is not mentioned above will go through the application sites (AgroParisTech or UM), regardless of their status.
  • What possible access routes?
    Initial training under student status Initial training under apprentice status Continuing education with a non-alternating diploma Graduating continuing education, alternating (professionalization contract)
  • What training can candidates have done beforehand?
    Access in M1: Graduates with a general degree in: Life Sciences, Earth Sciences, Science and Technology, Engineering Sciences, Physics, Chemistry. Foreign students holding a license / bachelor (bac+3) in equivalent fields. Access in M2: Students who have completed their first year of Masters in Water Sciences. Foreign students who have completed a first year of master's degree (bac+4) in equivalent fields. Students in engineering schools who have validated their second year (M1 equivalent) in equivalent fields. Students who have validated an M1 in the master's courses: Life Sciences, Earth Sciences, Sciences and Technologies, Engineering Sciences, Physics, Chemistry.
  • What are the admission requirements?
    Admission to M1 on file: validated L3 level, in the fields of earth sciences, water sciences, biology, chemistry. Prerequisites: fluency in French (level B2); solid foundations in science and disciplinary and methodological approaches at the heart of the training. Admission to M2 on file: validated M1 level, in engineering school or university, in the fields of earth sciences, water sciences, biology, chemistry. Priority access to students who have successfully completed the M1 of the "Water Sciences" Master's, "Water and Agriculture" course and engineering students from supporting establishments. Pre-requisites: general knowledge of the water cycle, basic notions of the water-soil-plant-atmosphere system, basic notions of farming systems, basic notions of statistics and physics, English, proficiency in French (level B2).
  • What is the list of Pre-Requisites?
    Have achieved good results in mathematical, physical and environmental disciplines Have obtained good results in the other key disciplines of the course Synthesis qualities (report notes) - Excellent basics in computer science Taste for the international Consistency of the upstream journey Clear professional project Strong motivation and work capacity English level B2 minimum Level C1 in French (official test required for non-French speaking students).
  • Foreign students via Campus France
    For foreign applicants: it is essential to contact the CAMPUS FRANCE office in your country, if necessary, to prepare your application file (CEF procedure< /span>). Students from the following countries must pass through CAMPUS FRANCE: Algeria, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, South Korea, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Egypt, United States, Gabon, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Senegal, Taiwan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Vietnam. If you are a student from the above countries and already studying in France (therefore already have a student visa), you will then have to go through the application sites (AgroParisTech or UM). If you are a student from the above countries already in France, but with a visa other than a student visa, you will need to go through CAMPUS FRANCE to apply. Students from a country that is not mentioned above will go through the application sites (AgroParisTech or UM), regardless of their status.
  • How much is the tuition fee?
    For French and Community students Per year: €243 + €92 student and campus life contribution (CVEC, compulsory payment before the start of the school year). For non-EU students Per year: €243 (partial exemption) + €92 contribution to student and campus life (CVEC, compulsory payment before the start of the school year).
  • Is it open to learning?
    The Master's in Water and Agriculture has been open since September 2015 on a work-study basis, in M1 and M2. The alternation in company-community-association-public organization can be carried out according to 2 modes: under a professional training contract by apprenticeship (age limit in Occitania: 30 years). See here the video on apprenticeship at the University of Montpellier (UM) In any case, contact those responsible to identify the accessible and/or most appropriate devices.
  • What are the opportunities?
    Operational outlets: study manager (water resources, irrigation, agricultural pollution, etc.), project manager/project manager for monitoring agricultural practices, territorial facilitator (in a watershed management union, chamber of agriculture, cooperative), manager of irrigation networks. Research and innovation opportunities: R&D engineering, project manager in specialized technical institutes in France and abroad or pursuit of a doctorate (close link with the GAIA and ABIES Doctoral Schools) in research units (in particular those of the Montpellier center on water facing the Mediterranean and the south) or with companies (CIFRE contracts in company-laboratory partnership). At the end of the doctorate, opportunities for research professions (Research Engineer, Research Fellow or Lecturer in national and international agricultural and environmental research institutes), business expertise (agronomy, environment, water distribution, etc.) or international organizations (donors, international research centres, FAO).
  • Where do the lessons take place?
    All lessons take place in Montpellier, Campus Triolet, AgroParisTech Campus de Montpellier- Domaine de Lavalette, Institut Agro Montpellier (Campus de La Gaillarde). Field outings are organized by the training.
  • What happened to the old Hydre and H2E courses?
    The two courses Hydre and H2E merged from the start of the 2021 school year into a single course entitled Eau Ressource. Two profiles are present: one oriented towards hydrology and the other towards hydrogeology, making it possible to train students in each of these disciplines, but also to maintain a link between them.
  • How to apply for the Eau Ressource course?
    To apply for the Eau Ressource course, you must submit an application on the Faculty of Sciences website (see Application tab) by clearly specifying your motivation towards one of the hydrogeology or hydrology profiles. A motivation letter indicating which profile is chosen is essential to apply for this course. A mandatory document to be completed and attached to your application file for the Eau Ressource course can be downloaded from the Application page of this site.
  • For your application file, is the English level certificate mandatory?
    No, the certificate is not mandatory.
  • For your application file,  Are three letters of recommendation mandatory?  Who is authorized to write these letters?
    Letters of recommendation are not mandatory but strongly recommended: it is strongly recommended to have at least one letter of recommendation, but if there are more, it can only fuel your canditate file. Concerning the people authorized to write a letter of recommendation, they are numerous and diverse: one of your teachers from your post-baccalaureate training. an internship supervisor or a person who has closely or indirectly followed your internship in a company or public body a specific researcher of a supervised work that you carried out during your training .....
  • For your application file, is a promise of employment mandatory?
    No it is not mandatory. If you don't have one, write in your cover letter that you are actively looking for a work-study company.
  • Quelle différence entre la spécialité « Hydrologie » et la spécialité « Hydrogéologie » ?
    Tous les étudiants du parcours Eau Ressource ont un socle commun de connaissance en hydrologie et en hydrogéologie. Pour se spécialiser un peu plus dans la thématique d’eau de « surface » ou « souterraine » des enseignements spécifiques destinés aux étudiants de chaque spécialité sont réalisés : ils correspondent en moyenne à 15% des enseignements de M1 (les 85% étant en commun entre les 2 spécialités), et à 30 % des enseignements de M2 (sans compter le stage de fin d’année qui spécialise fortement l’étudiant).
  • Est-ce qu’une année de césure est acceptée dès la 1er année ?
    Nous ne recrutons pas d’étudiant qui démarre par une année de césure. Cependant, lors de votre candidature en M1, nous prenons en compte les dossiers avec des arrêts personnels pour des projets en particulier, tel que des voyages à l'étranger (en particulier si ces voyages sont mis en avant de façon positive dans votre projet professionnel). Un tel arrêt doit être bien explicité dans votre lettre de motivation, et s’il est en accord avec votre motivation professionnelle, ne sera pas un frein à votre recrutement.
  • Why does the CES course not appear under E-candidate/Faculty of Sciences with the other courses of the mention?
    The CES course is run by the Faculty of Pharmacy. He is therefore under e-candidate/Faculty of Pharmacy.
  • Where does the training take place?
    The courses take place in Montpellier (exclusively face-to-face, except for sanitary constraints), in three establishments (a few kilometers away from each other – on the map, you can consider the Fabre museum as in the center of Montpellier ): in M1, they will be given in the plan below to the FdS and to APT; in M2 mainly at the Agro Institute on the IRC site (Campus Agropolis).
  • what are the selection criteria?
    We accept applications from diverse backgrounds, favoring those who have both a knowledge of water and an attraction for the human and social sciences (law, economics, geography, history, management, political sciences, social sciences …): student with a French diploma international student employee or job seeker In terms of recruitment criteria, we go through the Campus France procedure for people coming from abroad and whose country is covered by this system. Here are the criteria that guide our decision: Your general school level (then we look more particularly at subjects related to the humanities and social sciences, we go so far as to see the marks obtained at the baccalaureate - or equivalent - in these subjects, including French) Your skills in the field of human sciences (we only accept students in M2 with a proven and solid background in the humanities and social sciences) A very good level of French (more like C1) Your motivation to follow this training.
  • Foreign students via Campus France
    We would like to draw your attention to one particular point: make sure you find out well in advance about the formalities to be completed for your stay in France. Obtaining a visa requires, for example, in a certain number of countries the intervention of the local office of Campus France (http://www.campusfrance.org/fr/) with which you must contact. This is why, in the countries covered by this device, we rely on this device.
  • How much is the tuition fee?
    For French and Community students Per year: €243 + €92 student and campus life contribution (CVEC, compulsory payment before the start of the school year). For non-EU students Per year: €243 (partial exemption) + €92 contribution to student and campus life (CVEC, compulsory payment before the start of the school year).
  • In which structures could I do my internship in M1 or M2?
    Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of the types of structures hosting Water and Society students for internships: Local authorities for drinking water, sanitation, GEMAPI, rainwater, aquatic environments, floods, etc.: Departmental Council, Regional Council, metropolises, municipalities, intermunicipalities, river and watershed associations (on Gest'Eau you will find the structures carriers of SAGE and environmental contracts), departmental technical agencies.... Water Agencies French Office for Biodiversity, Regional Biodiversity Agencies Design offices (numerous) Water and sanitation companies (Veolia, Suez, Saur, etc.) Regional development companies: CACG, BRL, SCP NGO: GRET; PS Eau, Coalition Eau, ACF … Agricultural organizations: ASA, OUGC, chambers of agriculture....
  • What are the opportunities?
    To meet environmental, societal (drinking water supply and population sanitation) and economic (hydro-agricultural and industrial issues) challenges, resource management and water savings have emerged as major areas of public policy. , both locally and globally. The logic of supply is no longer the priority of political agendas, in favor of more integrated approaches to resources, uses and services at different territorial scales. The professions made necessary are changing considerably, because the problems to be dealt with are multiple (flood risk, ecological continuities, water savings, groundwater or basin management, etc.), directly or indirectly linked to each other, and complex - if only because they depend on a multitude of public and private actors. Water is becoming a field at the interface of various disciplines (environmental, political, social, economic, physical sciences, etc.), and the professional activities associated with it have been constantly growing for the past ten years. years. In response, Montpellier has a leading research and higher education potential in the field of water at European level with a unique disciplinary diversity (hydrology, economics, sociology, geography, agronomy, etc. ). In such a context, the “Water Sciences” Mention offers you a readable offer, oriented towards professionalization, strong support for the first water research community in France; a dynamic link with the economic fabric and communities through the Competitiveness Cluster. The “Water and Society” course innovates by offering you the opportunity to become professionals in economics, social sciences and management trained in the water and aquatic environment professions. Why does the educational team favor apprenticeships to access these professions, in particular in local authorities, public territorial basin or water management establishments or their partners (design offices, associations, foundations and non-governmental organizations…)? Local authorities have become key players in the management of aquatic environments and territories. They are based on intermunicipal or mixed structures, responsible for implementing local policies with various objectives (prevention of the risk of flooding, conservation of wetlands, etc.) with the financial assistance of the water agencies and within the defined framework. by state policies and European directives. Since the introduction of river contracts in the early 1980s, these structures have created hundreds of jobs for river technicians, project managers and even facilitators – distinct from the professions already present in the drinking water and sanitation – to carry out local projects at the watershed level. By adding new challenges to the previous ones (strengthening local water governance, restoring ecological continuities, etc.), community water law, the Grenelle de l'Environnement and more recently GEMAPI reinforce these "new trades" while making them evolve from water resources to their management in water territories. In summary, communities need to strengthen their capacity for expertise, "facilitation" and project management in the field of aquatic environments in order to better protect and enhance them. The course also prepares for jobs more focused on development in the South, whether through associations, NGOs, design offices or international institutions. Water issues concern both drinking water in rural areas or in outlying districts and the management of irrigated or groundwater systems, from technical management to support for collective action. Find out more: Association Rivière Rhône-Alpes, 2012, “Professions in the management of aquatic environments. Study in Rhône-Alpes”, Cahier technique, n°6, 56p. Barone S., 2015, “What redeployment of technical skills among water management actors in the Rhône-Mediterranean basin? » R-M Water Agency, Irstea, 46p. Bierry A., 2012, The professions of aquatic environment managers: characteristics, missions, representations, evolutions. State of play in Rhône-Alpes. Master 2 thesis, Geography, Joseph Fourrier University, Grenoble, 93p.
  • What have they become ? Our former students testify...
    Arthur HADDOU River animator at Billom Communauté, Auto-entrepreneur in audiovisual at ArtMax Production Today, I am doing a job in line with my higher education and my personal aspirations. 📽️ Watch here the report that the web media LOOPSIDER has achieved on his current job as well as his school career.
  • What are the administrative procedures to become an apprentice?
    You will find the details of the steps to be carried out on the CFA website: https://ensuplr.fr/apprenti/become -an-apprentice/the-steps-to-become-an-apprentice/
  • Is there a specific application method for doing the Master's on a work-study basis?
    No, a single application must be submitted on the "My Master" platform (https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/) for the Master's course of your choice, specifying in the letter of motivation that you want to do the Master by work-study program.If you have already found a company, specify it and attach a letter of commitment to your file (or send it to the course managers by email only if you cannot attach it to the file) and specify the missions entrusted if they are known .
  • Are we more likely to be taken on a Masters if we apply for a work-study program?
    The examination of all the files takes into account the suitability of the profile, the academic level, the motivation, the professional project, the recommendations and the possibility of alternating. We receive a very large number of files for a limited number of places. For this reason, the selection is strong. A promise of employment (commitment letter) is a plus but does not guarantee your admission.
  • What is the procedure for obtaining a work-study contract?
    It is up to you to take the steps with the public or private structures that interest you. You can either apply to published offers (website) or make spontaneous applications. Remember to specify the following information: the apprenticeship recovery plan provides aid of €6,000 for any company that recruits an apprentice. Companies with more than 250 employees will only be able to benefit from this aid if they have at least 5% work-study trainees in their workforce, or if they have at least 3% work-study trainees and an increase in the number of alternating by more than 10% from one year to the next. This aid is valid until the end of 2023. It does not concern the public sector.If you are selected on the main list, you can ask Marina Héry for the list of structures that have already taken work-study students in your Master's course. If offers reach us, we will send them to you. Once selected, you can also ask your course manager for the list of structures that have taken M1 or M2 internships to broaden your potential contacts.The CFA regularly organizes workshops to help you be more efficient in your procedures (CV, cover letter, interview, etc.). Look at their website (https://ensuplr.fr/).
  • Can we do only M2 or M1 alternately?
    The apprenticeship contract can be done for the 2 years of Master (M1 + M2) or for the second year only (M2), but not for the M1 only. A professionalization contract has a more flexible duration (start and end dates).
  • Can we have international mobility if we do the Master by work-study program?
    This may depend on the Master's course, but above all on the agreement of the company and the CFA or the Continuing Education Service. However, this option remains unlikely due to the constraints of the work-study schedule. It is possible to carry out a mission abroad at the request of your employer. You can also complete your apprenticeship abroad provided that you are hired by a company whose head office is in France.
  • What is the rotation rate?
    See the work-study calendar for M1 (common to all courses) and for M2 (specific to each course), downloadable from the page Alternation. Please note that the work rate of a work-study student is very intense. A work-study student has the same training time as a non-work-study student (same diploma issued, same number of ECTS to be validated) with work in a company in addition, which represents a considerable additional workload and less free time since you are on paid leave and you are no longer entitled to university vacations.
  • Can we make a "classic" registration (initial training not work-study) and continue with an apprenticeship or a professional contract if we get a contract during the year?
    Yes it is possible. It is up to the course manager to set the deadline for finding a contract after the start of the school year, this depends in particular on the calendar of compulsory teaching units for work-study students. Otherwise, it is possible to do the M1 in “classic” initial training (not work-study) and the M2 in apprenticeship or in a professional contract (continuing education) if you have found a contract that can start in M2. For the professional contract, inquire with the continuing education department for the terms and conditions in the event of a contract being won during the year. Be careful if you plan to sign an apprenticeship contract, you must main register at the University of Montpellier (UM): for the EA, EL, ER and ES courses at the Faculty of Sciences, for the CES course at the Faculty of Pharmacy.
  • What is the cost of training for the company?
    The financing by private companies of apprenticeship and professionalization contracts is done via the OPCO, according to the levels of support set by the professional branches. Your company must therefore approach the OPCO or its professional branch to know this cost. Nothing more will be requested by the CFA from the company (no supplement to what the OPCO pays). Case of an apprenticeship contract in a public structure in 2020-21: Cost = 6,700 euros per year of training (M1 or M2) (possible coverage of 50% of the cost for local authorities by the CNFPT).The other cost for the host structure will of course be your salary. State aid for private structures (up to 6,000 euros) will continue in 2023. You will find more details on the CFA website.
  • How are registrations going?
    Apprenticeship: once the contract has been established, the CFA provides the work-study student with an authorization to register (initial training) as an apprentice, which must be presented when registering with the FDS school . The latter exempts the work-study student from tuition fees (except the CVEC) and should prevail for a residence reserved for work-study students (eg Sud@lternance). For the pro contract, inquire with the continuing education department for the terms and conditions (continuing education registration). For apprenticeship contracts, a main registration at the Faculty of Sciences of the UM is necessary whatever your background (except Health Water Contaminants: Faculty of Pharmacy of UM).For professional contracts, you will need to take the necessary steps with the continuing education department corresponding to your main registration (UM, SupAgro, AgroParisTech).
  • If you have registered as a non-work-study student and then obtain an apprenticeship contract, can you change status and be reimbursed for tuition fees?
    Yes. Sometimes deadlines force students to register before they have been able to finalize their procedures or even before they have been able to find a contract. It is important to be registered quickly for insurance reasons. You will have the opportunity to regularize your situation later and have the tuition fees reimbursed (except the CVEC).
  • Who are the people to contact to support me in my efforts?
    You will find the detailed list of people to contact at the bottom of the page Alternance.
  • Have another question?
    -For learning: visit the CFA website< /u> , and their FAQ. -For professionalization contracts, visit the SFC-UM website. Finally, you can contact by email the people in the contact section at the bottom of the Alternance page< /a>.
  • Où puis-je trouver le calendrier de l'Alternance?
    Le calendrier de l'alternance Master 1 (Commun) et Master 2 (Spécifique à chaque parcours) est disponible au téléchargement sur la page de l'Alternance.
  • Foreign students via Campus France
    For foreign applicants: it is essential to contact the CAMPUS FRANCE office in your country, if necessary, to prepare your application file (CEF procedure ). Students from the following countries must pass through CAMPUS FRANCE: Algeria, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, South Korea, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Egypt, United States, Gabon, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Senegal, Taiwan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Vietnam. If you are a student from the above countries and already studying in France (therefore already have a student visa), you will then have to go through the application sites (AgroParisTech or UM). If you are a student from the above countries already in France, but with a visa other than a student visa, you will need to go through CAMPUS FRANCE to apply. Students from a country that is not mentioned above will go through the application sites (AgroParisTech or UM), regardless of their status.
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