Elective Cross-Curricular Courses (ETC): Language Courses

Elective interdisciplinary courses (ETC) give you flexibility in your academic program. These required modules complement your major. They allow you to develop interdisciplinary skills and enrich your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program. The language ETCs give you the opportunity to improve your proficiency in a foreign language or discover a new one.

Warning

ETCs are not offered in all degree programs (they are primarily available in bachelor’s and master’s programs). Be sure to check that your program curriculum includes the option to choose an ETC before you enroll!

The Different Types of Courses

  • Introductory Courses:
    These courses allow you to discover a language you've never studied before.
  • Language of Communication:
    These courses, organized by level, help you communicate more effectively in writing and speaking in everyday situations.
  • Thematic Courses:
    These courses are available in German, English, Arabic, Chinese, Italian, and many other languages. They cover a wide range of topics, including society, professional communication, and artistic expression. Please note that a minimum A2 level is recommended for most of these courses.
  • International Mobility Preparation Courses:
    Are you planning an exchange, an internship, or a trip abroad? These courses will help you prepare for the situations you’ll encounter while you’re there.

Recommendations

  • To register, you'll need to take a placement test.
  • The courses consist of 24 hours of instruction per semester (2 hours per week) and are worth 3 ECTS credits.
  • If you choose a language in the first semester, it is strongly recommended that you continue studying it in the second semester in order to earn credit for that language level.
  • If your program does not allow you to enroll in two language courses (ETC) during the year, you can enroll in them individually and pay for the second course yourself.

Registration

Visit the Language Services website for all the practical information you need to register.

Enroll in a language ETC in Grenoble

Enroll in a language ETC at Valence

 
Published on August 18, 2025
Updated on May 4, 2026