During the academic year, the CUEF offers a four-week intensive French course at the start of the semester to prepare students to enter the semester courses. During the semester, students take a less intensive French language course combined with literature and civilization courses. All courses are taught in French. Only students whose home institution's spring semester begins in early January take examinations in December before the Christmas break. Students who wish to enroll for the spring semester in Grenoble take a four-week intensive French course in January before the spring semester begins.
Students then take the less intensive French language course as well as elective courses.
These options are not open to beginners. Advanced students may enroll in the Niveau Universitaire, taking six hours of language and two hours of literature per week, and then select regular university courses to complete their program. Housing Students may elect to arrange housing through the CUEF or to arrange housing independently. Students who arrange housing through the CUEF are given a choice of living in a family homestay or a University residence. Homestays are available for all sessions and provide accommodation with French families in Grenoble.