Studying in Lyon
In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need to make your student project a reality in France. OMNES Education has five schools in its catalog with campuses in Lyon. Our schools offer a wide range of courses open to foreign students.
What to study in Lyon?
Lyon is home to a large number of universities offering a wide range of courses and degrees.
While the list of courses offered by these establishments is extensive, here are the most popular choices:
- IT
- Hospitality
- Management
- Trade
- Tourism
- Design
Depending on the course chosen, students can expect to obtain diplomas ranging from the Bac Pro to various specialized Masters.
Why study in Lyon?
There are many reasons why Lyon is one of the best places to study higher education. The city boasts a number of schools that are recognized both in France and internationally. These include grandes écoles and classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles.
Lyon also offers a wide range of professional opportunities for graduates and students looking for internships. In terms of numbers, the city has :
- 110.000 private and public companies
- 900 company headquarters
- 600 research laboratories.
This cradle of cinema, renowned for its culinary art, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lyon is the second largest city in France, ideally located two hours from Paris by train, two hours from the sunny Côte d’Azur, and only an hour and a half from the picturesque mountains of the Alps. The city offers an unparalleled quality of life, with two rivers running through it (the Rhône and the Saône) and numerous green spaces, including the Parc de la Tête d’Or, one of the largest parks in Europe. No wonder it is one of the most attractive cities in the world, along with St. Petersburg, Prague and Venice!
Discover the Lyon campus!
The OMNES Education campus in Lyon includes the schools of the ESCE, Sup de Pub, ECE, HEIP and INSEEC (Bachelor, BBA, Grance école, and MSc). It is located in the university’s historic district, within a dynamic, international student environment and easily accessible by public transport (streetcar, bus, train). Home to international institutions and major corporations, Lyon is also marked by a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Students will benefit from an exceptional setting, with 9.000 m2 comprising 65 classrooms, open-access computer rooms, several work areas and a business incubator. Students will enjoy a bright, pleasant and functional space, where the industrial spirit has been preserved. They will be able to evolve in a resolutely professional environment incorporating the latest technologies.
Lyon was voted 2nd in the overall ranking of France’s best student cities for 2021-2022.
To find out more about the city, see the Campus France fact sheet.
INSEEC MSc :
CAMPUS SANTY
16 avenue Paul Santy 69008 Lyon
ESCE, Sup de Pub, ECE and INSEEC (Bachelor, BBA, Grande école):
CAMPUS CITROËN
25 rue de l’université 69007 Lyon
Our schools
Does Omnes Education offer programs in its schools in LYON?
OMNES Education has 14 schools in France and abroad.
This catalog includes three schools in the city of Lyon.
Business & Marketing
Come and study at the INSEEC Bachelor!
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6 campuses
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1 program
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2 languages of instruction
Come and study at INSEEC Grande Ecole!
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3 campuses
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1 program
–
2 languages of instruction
International Business
Communication & Creation
Engineering
Admission Criteria
What are the specific criteria for studying in Lyon?
The criteria for studying in Lyon vary depending on the university, course or degree chosen. To find out what these criteria are, the best solution is to ask the establishments.
Generally speaking, and in the case of foreign students, to be able to study in Lyon, you must at least :
- show proficiency in French (B1 – B2 level required)
- have a student visa.
Do I need a visa to study in Lyon?
All foreign students wishing to study in France, regardless of the city, require a student visa. This document is requested by the French authorities as soon as the foreign student leaves his or her country of origin.
Once in France, the student visa serves as a residence permit valid for 1 year. It therefore allows the holder to reside and travel legally in the country during this period.
This document also enables foreign students to work while retaining their student status.
How to apply to a top school in Lyon?
The application procedure may vary depending on the school , which may have its own admission requirements. It’s important to find out more and contact the school directly.
International students can easily contact the schools by visiting their websites. In general, all training offers, prerequisites and registration procedures are listed on these sites.
The OMNES Education schools section displays all the schools in the group.
How to apply to an Omnes Education Group school to study in LYON?
First, you need to find out about the school and the course you’re interested in. The next step is to read the general terms and conditions of registration.
Don’t hesitate to contact the International Admissions Department if you have any questions!
find out all you need to know about studying in lyon
Accommodation
Where to stay in Lyon while studying?
To find all our accommodation solutions and partners for Lyon, go to our “accommodation” page.
For students looking for accommodation in Lyon , the best option is to choose a student residence. They are managed by private or public organisation, such as le CROUS and all students can apply for accommodation.
For students who want to live off-campus, the best solution is to rent a studio apartment. In this case, you’ll need to pay close attention to prices, which can vary considerably depending on the area and surface. Suitable accommodation in Lyon can be found for between €500 and €600 a month.
Activities
Explore Lyon ! We’ve listed all the places to see and visit that Lyon has to offer in terms of leisure, culture, sport and well-being.
The city has a rich cultural heritage. Art lovers will be delighted to discover the many national and international events that take place throughout the year in Lyon, such as the Fête des Lumières, the Nuits de Fourvière festival, the film festival and the Biennale d’art contemporain. In addition, as the gastronomy capital of France, Lyon offers more than 1.500 restaurants that offer local specialties and international flavors.
Museums
If you are from the European Union and under 26 years old, the entrance to each of them is free.
Musée des Beaux-Arts – 20 place des Terreaux – 69001 Lyon
Musée d’Art Contemporain – 81 quai Charles de Gaulle – 69006 Lyon
Musées Gadagne – 1 place du petit collège – 69005 Lyon
Center d’Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation – 14 avenue Berthelot – 69007 Lyon – France
Musée de l’Imprimerie et de la Communication Graphique – 13 rue de la Poulaillerie – 69002 Lyon, France
Musée des confluences – “musée des Confluences” stop – 86 quai Perrache 69002 Lyon
Musée Gallo- Romain – LUGDUNUM 17 eue Cléberg 69005 LYON
Musée des tissus et arts décoratifs – 34 rue de la Charité 69002 LYON
Except: Musée de l’automobile Henri Malartre – 645 rue du musée – Rochetaillée-sur Saône
Movies and Theaters
Institut Lumière -about €6 – 25 rue du Premier – Film BP 8051 69352 – Lyon Cedex 08
Cinéma Comœdia – about €8 – 13 avenue Berthelo 69007 Lyon
Cinémas Lumière (Terreaux, Bellecour, Fourmi) : €6.90 for students
Discover Lyon’s cinemas, theaters, museums andcultural calendar.
Music
Les Nuits sonores (May) is a festival of electric music at symbolic venues around the city.
Les Nuits de Fourvière (June) is a festival that brings together all artistic disciplines (music, theater, dance and cinema) and takes place every summer in the ancient theater of Fourvière.
Sport
The Lyon campus has different partnerships with gyms in the region, you can find them in the list below:
Sports clubs in and around Lyon
L’APPART FITNESS
- Free registration fees (PRIVILEGE, TEMPO, SOFT packages)
- 1 free coaching appointment (PRIVILEGE, TEMPO, SOFT package)
Clubs:
Club JEAN JAURES, 74 avenue Jean Jaurès, 69007 Lyon
Club GAMBETTA, 133 grande rue de la Guillotière, 59007 Lyon
Club MEXIMIEUX, Zac de lntermarché, 01800 Meximieux
Club AMBERIEU, 63 rue Charles de Gaulle, 01500 Chateau gaillard
Club DECINES GRAND STADE, 2 avenue Simone Veil, 69L50 Decines
CLIMB UP LYON GERLAND, the climbing gym offers you :
- 10% on the book of 10 entries
- 50% on the first month of a subscription (annual or monthly)
11 rue Lortet
Telephone: 04 72 71 83 84
69 007 Lyon
Swimming pool
Center nautique Tony Bertrand
(12 to 8 pm)
8 quai Claude Bernard
69007 Lyon
Price :
- €2.60 (for students under 26 years old)
- 25 hours card – €50
Free sports facilities in Lyon
Clémenceau sports field (6 pm to 8 pm)
94 rue Sébastien Gryphe – 69007 Lyon (Corner rue Sébastien Gryphe / Rue de l’Université)
Parks & Gardens
Discover Lyon’s green spaces here.
For example, the Parc de la Tête d’Or is the largest urban park in France and contains many activities for all ages, including a zoo, a navigable lake, botanical gardens, a miniature railroad, pony rides for children, etc.
It is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty. It includes dozens of trails for walking, jogging or biking and large open spaces for activities and picnics. Lots of fun for everyone!
Flea Markets
If you want to find furniture, used clothes or anything else you need without spending a lot of money, flea markets are perfect!
The city of Lyon has listed all the city’s flea markets here.
Costs
Please note that these prices are indicative and may vary greatly, and that the cost of living differs from city to city.
You can compare your home town with numbéo.
| Housing | 500 – 1200 € |
| Public transportation | 25 € |
| Power supply | 100 – 300 € |
| Other expenses (leisure, shopping…) | 100 – 300 € |
| Total | 800 – 1900 € |
Opening a bank account in France is one of the first steps to take when you arrive in Lyon.
The documents required to open a French bank account are :
- A copy of your passport or European identity card
- A document proving your residence in France – a certificate of accommodation from your landlord for example
- A copy of your certificate of enrolment
- A copy of your visa and residence permit
At present, our main banking partner is the Caisse d’Epargne, and very soon new partnerships with local banks will be available with special offers for students.
| The partner agency |
| Caisse d’Epargne Guillotière branch 4 place Victor Basch, 69003 LYON |
Transportation
Lyon
- From the airport
Lyon has its own airport, Lyon Saint-Exupéry, with some thirty national and international destinations.
- By train
Lyon is easily accessible by train from all major European cities thanks to its two main stations, Gare Lyon Part-Dieu and Gare Lyon Perrache.
Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is only 2 hours away from Lyon by TGV (High Speed Train).
Travel time by train :
– To Paris, Marseille or Geneva: 2 hours
– To London by Eurostar, Stuttgart: 5 hours and 30 minutes
– To Frankfurt, Milan or Barcelona: 6 hours
Click here for train timetables.
- By bus
The bus is an easy and affordable way to come to Lyon.
The central bus station of Lyon – Perrache (located on the 2nd floor of the Perrache station) offers connections to more than 80 destinations in France and abroad (Spain, Italy, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and many others).
- Eurolines: national and international long-distance bus company (available in 6 languages)
- Blablacar & Flixbus: low-cost bus company, available in several languages
Public transportations in lyon
Lyon and its neighboring towns are well served by the TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais) public transport network. A single ticket gives you access to buses, streetcars and subway trains. The TCL operates every day from 5 a.m. to midnight (until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays).
If you are staying for a semester or a year, the best option is to get a Técély card. It is available immediately at the TCL agency counter : TCL Bellecour agency : 6 Place Bellecour 69002
The TCL card costs €5. If you are between 18 and 25 years old, the subscription costs €25 per month. The card is nominative and includes a photo (25x30mm format).
Visit the TCL website or download the app to plan your trip.
Rates:
1 ticket (1 hour): €1.90
10 tickets: €18
Ticket for the funicular: €3
A monthly subscription for young people: €25 per month
taxis & UBER
Are you arriving outside of TCL and/or Rhônexpress service hours? Too much luggage to travel alone on public transport? All train and intercity bus stations are served by cab services.
Lyon Campus
From Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport
Rhônexpress : one-way ticket from €10
The Rhônexpress streetcar connects Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport to Part Dieu station (central train/metro/tram/bus platform) in 30 minutes. The first departure is at 4:25 a.m. from Part-Dieu, and at 5:00 a.m. from the airport. Rhônexpress runs every 20 minutes during the day, and every 30 minutes from 4.25 a.m. to 6 a.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Buy your ticket in a terminal, or once on board at the controller.
You can also book your tickets in advance on the site.
By public transport
For a reduced cost of €1.90, but with a longer journey time (1 hour), you can get to Lyon using the TCL 47 bus, which links the airport with Meyzieu, a town close to Lyon.
- Get on at the airport and get off at “Meyzieu Z.I.”.
- With the same ticket, take the T3 streetcar line to Part Dieu station (central platform for train/metro/tram/bus).
- Once you arrive at the Part Dieu station (by the Rhône Express or by the Tram T3), you must cross the whole station to take the T1 streetcar line (see the map below):
- Take the tramway line 1 (T1) direction “Debourg” and get off at the station “rue de l’Université”.
- Get off in front of the Citroën building. The entrance is at the back of the building, on the 3rd floor.
By cab
If you arrive between midnight and 5 a.m., neither the Rhônexpress nor the bus will run. You can take a cab, but the cost is much higher (between €50 and €75).
You can also take an UBER which is expensive, but cheaper than a cab, and costs on average €45 to €60. All you have to do is download the app and request an UBER and it will take you wherever you want.
For a less expensive option, consider carpooling from the airport. For example, you can share a car journey with BlaBlaCar.
By train and bus
From Part Dieu station
Travel time: 20 minutes
Price: €1.90 for a ticket. Metro and tramway tickets can be purchased at an automatic terminal located at each station or via the “TCL E-Ticket” application. One ticket is valid for one hour for all tram/bus/metro connections.
Directions:
- Take streetcar line 1 (T1) towards “Debourg”.
- Get off at the station “rue de l’Université” in front of the Citroën building.
- The entrance is at the rear of the building, on the 3rd floor.
From Perrache station
Travel time: 10-15 minutes
Price: €1.90 for a ticket. Metro and tramway tickets can be purchased at an automatic terminal located at each station or via the “TCL E-Ticket” application. One ticket is valid for one hour for all tram/bus/metro connections.
Directions:
- Take streetcar line 1 (T1) towards “IUT Feyssine”.
- Get off at the station “Rue de l’Université” in front of the Citroën building.
- The entrance is at the back of this building (rue de Marseille), on the 3rd floor.
Restaurants
Popular Restaurants
Food Traboule
22 rue du Bœuf, 69005 Lyon
A food hall in Lyon run by chefs. The 7 spaces, spread over three floors, house different kitchen counters, where chefs concoct eclectic dishes before your eyes.
Food Society Lyon
Part Dieu Shopping center
It is the foodcourt of the Part Dieu shopping center. With a rooftop and more than 20 counters, it is the ideal place to eat with friends in a good atmosphere.
Everyone orders what they want, when they want, before taking a seat together in one of the common areas.
Café Comptoir Abel
25 rue Guynemer, 69002 Lyon
Lyon’s traditional restaurants, called “Bouchons”, are famous for their hearty, homemade regional dishes made from fresh ingredients, as well as for their charming and friendly atmosphere.
Carmelo
7 rue Neuve, 69001 Lyon
The best Italian in town. Affordable, with exceptional decoration and service, this restaurant serves pizzas, pastas.
Mama’s boys
25 rue de l’Arbre sec, 69001 Lyon
Pushing the door of this restaurant is like entering a room from the 80s.
Restaurant CROUS
The Quai Resto
94 rue pasteur
69007 Lyon