Do not hesitate to contact us for any questions that you cannot find the answer for in our F.A.Q. section.
Our team will be happy to inform you directly.
Can I pay my tuition fees and accommodation costs on arrival?
Tuition fees must be paid 4 weeks before the starting date of the course. If there is a problem with the secure payment on the website, you may pay when you arrive with the school's permission.
Am I able to change my programme either before or after I arrive?
Yes, you can do this before you arrive which may incur a cost. When you have arrived this may not be possible, but do ask the staff.
What should I do if I find the level of my class too high or too low?
Have a chat with the director of studies who will discuss the best solution with you and your teacher.
May I add extra classes to my programme?
Yes, of course! Just talk to the director of studies and we will try our best to fit you into the class you wish to take.
If I take the DELF exam, how can I get to the Valbonne exam centre?
You have to take the bus and the journey takes about an hour, don't hesitate to ask us for any information and make sure to be on time!
If I am taking the DELF exam, how do I get to the examination centre in Sophia Antipolis?
Take the bus to Sophia, this takes around 40 minutes from Nice. The centre is just a short walk away from the bus stop. A map and all the explanations you need will be given to you in advance.
If I miss class for any reason including the DELF exam or or health reasons, will I be reimbursed?
No, if you are absent for the DELF exam or any other reason, you will not be refunded.
Will I be in a class with other students the same age as me? What do I do if they are all much older or younger than me?
Most of our students are between the ages of 17 and 40 but we do have older students. Everyone comes here with the same aim, to improve their French, so whatever their age, you are sure to find something to talk about.
Will I be given all the learning materials that I need?
Beginner and elementary students can borrow a book for 20 € which will be given back to them upon return of the book. Other levels will be given handouts as required.
Do all the lessons take place at the IH premises?
Our premises are large with 8 classrooms. We may have to rent other premises during busy periods.
Can I stay after my lessons to do extra work?
Yes, there is a self-study room; you may borrow extra resources without taking them home until 5 pm.
What happens if I leave before the end of my course? Will I be reimbursed?
No, only if there are extenuating circumstances and at the director’s discretion will you be reimbursed.
I need more specific French for business etc. Will this be possible? This is possible depending on your course. General French is studied in the morning classes, but if you have chosen private or combined classes then this will allow specific subjects to be studied.
If I rent a student residency studio, what are the regulations and what deposit is required?
A deposit of 400 € is required, which must be paid straight to the landlord on arrival. 100% of this will be returned on your departure, unless damage to the property has occurred.
Are towels and bedding provided in all accommodation?
With host families all bedding is provided and usually towels. In the student residences, bedding is provided, but towels are not always. In both cases, you should bring your own beach towels with you.
How long will it take to get to my host family from the school?
All host families are carefully chosen. Most live in central Nice, but the others aren't more than 30 minutes away by bus or tram. Most students walk to school every day but situations can vary when the school is busy, particularly in the summer.
May I extend my stay?
Yes, ask us first and don’t leave it too late. If the family is already booked up, you may have to change families.
What happens if I don’t like my host family?
See the accommodation officer who will sort out the issue and find a replacement family. Please note that in the summer time, families can be very hard to find.
May I ask the host family to collect me from the airport?
It is easier for you to ask for this service when your course is booked. If you want to add it after this, contact the family directly.
Who will pick me up from the airport if I ask for a transfer?
If you choose to stay in a family, normally it is the family who will come and pick you up. It might be the shuttle driver if the family cannot come or after 9pm.
If I rent a studio residence, can I organise airport transfers?
Yes, we can organize shuttle transfers for the students who are staying in a residence or a hotel. It costs 35 € each way.
If I don’t arrange my transfer through the school, what other way is there to get to my accommodation?
The easiest way to access the centre of town is to use the trams. A single journey on the tram costs 1,50 €; day passes can be bought for 5 €. There are also taxis at the airport that can take you to your accommodation; these cost around 35-40 €. There is also a bus that runs from the airport to the centre of town.
What happens on the first day at IH? Will I be tested?
Yes, on the first day you need to arrive at the school at 9am, and like all new students you will be tested on your writing and oral to ensure you are placed in the correct group. Lessons will begin after your test, at 10 or 10:45.
What happens if the first day of school is a bank holiday?
Before arriving, inquire at the school whether something has been organised for the Monday, such as an excursion. You will arrive as normal on the Sunday.
What happens if there are bank holidays during my stay?
If there is just one bank holiday, this will neither be refunded nor rearranged.
If there are two in the first four weeks of your stay, one will either be refunded or rearranged.
If you are staying for a long period of time, the tariff already takes lessons missed due to bank holidays into account.
What happens if I don’t find the person meeting me at the airport?
Every student is given the family's phone number and the Director 's phone number. The Director will sort out the problem. However, this is a very rare occurrence.
- Call the family: if no reply,
- Call William Rubinstein, the director, on +33(0)6 09 50 39 43.
- If no solution is found, take the tram into town and find a two star hotel to stay at. If it was us who made a mistake, you will be reimbursed. Remember to ask for a receipt.
If I have a problem with the family, the food or the cleanliness, what should I do?
We take all aspects of your stay seriously, and if you have a problem with your family that you don’t feel you are able to sort out yourself, just talk to the accommodation officer and she will do everything she can to help.
What should I do if my belongings are lost or stolen?
You should report this to the police as soon as possible in order to get a reference number, which you will require if you want to claim on your insurance. If any credit cards are stolen, make sure you contact your bank immediately.
In France you are required to carry ID with you at all times; it is better to take a photocopy of this and leave the original at home. This can save you a lot of trouble, especially if a passport is the only form of ID you have.
What happens if I get sick or have health problems whilst in France?
The school can direct you towards a doctor or dentist, just ask the staff and they can make an appointment for you. For more serious problems, there are several very good hospitals in Nice, where you can receive medical attention.
What are opening hours of the school?
The school is open from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm.
What should I bring with me?
Each student should ensure that they have travel insurance for their trip (EU citizens may apply for a European Health Insurance Card).
It is best to come with some cash, and a credit card in case of emergencies.
You should also bring pens and a notebook to your classes, but these can be bought when you arrive if you prefer. The clothes you bring will depend on the time of the year. The weather is mild most of the year, but you should bring jumpers, a coat and an umbrella for the winter months between November and February. It gets hot in July and August, so make sure to bring sunglasses and sun cream.
Can I get a student card?
You can ask the receptionist to provide you with a student card. You will need to provide a passport sized photo of yourself. With this card you can get discounts on transport, museums, and other local attractions.
Is it okay to drink the tap water, or should I buy bottled water?
Yes, the tap water is fine to drink.
Where should I have lunch?
There are many restaurants and cafés around the school. IH Nice is just 6 minutes walking distance from the centre but restaurants around the school are good and inexpensive. Why not try a sandwich or baguette from one of the local bakeries?
Is there WiFi at the school I can use?
Yes, there are computers in the student room that can be used during breaks or after lessons. We also have free WiFi.
I am happy with the school and I would like to study a different language in another IH school; can I enrol through you?
Yes, see the sales manager who will be able to get in touch with the relevant school and organise your enrolment.
How many social activities are organised each week?
This depends on the time of year. In the busy summer months there are around 2 organised each week, sometimes 3. During the winter months, there is one a week.