Conducting Research at Montpellier 1 University

Research Fields

Biology–Health: Medicine, Odontology, Pharmacy, Sports and Exercise

This field brings together 45 approved research units and teams. It relies on a dynamic partnership with Montpellier 2 University, research organisations (CNRS - National Centre for Scientific Research, Inserm - National Institute for Health and Medical Research, IRD - French Research Institute for Development, CIRAD - Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, INRA - National Institute for Agronomic Research, CEA - Atomic Energy Commission, etc.), industries (SANOFI-Aventis, Pierre Fabre, IDENIX…), competitiveness clusters (ORPHEME, Qu@LiMed) and the network of small and medium-sized pharmaceutical and biotechnological businesses and industries present in the region.

Law

Offering 9 training courses, the law field is devoted to areas as varied as labour, civil, constitutional law and criminal policy, commercial, intellectual property and consumer law, the history of law and human rights in Europe…

Economics and Management: Economics, AES (Business Administration) and ISEM (Institute of Business Science and Management)

Boasting 4 research facilities, this field explores the themes of theoretical and applied economics and economics in industry as well as in groups and with respect to energy.

Graduate Schools

Training in research is provided by 9 graduate schools which are co-accredited with the regional universities:

• Graduate School of Law and Social Science
• Graduate School of Economics and Management
• Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences for Health

During the last four years, more than 700 university theses have been defended.

Montpellier 1 University’s research ambitions and development plan prioritise:

• the will to structure our teams around social problems with respect to health and societal challenges in partnership with regional universities and research organisations;
• support for the site regional policy through the creation of the Montpellier Universities – Languedoc-Roussillon PRES (Higher Education and Research Hub);
• the continuous search for excellence.

Practical Information

Foreign Scientists

Foreign scientist visits only concern researchers outside the European Union and European Economic Area. A host agreement must be completed by the professor sponsoring the researcher and submitted to the International Relations department so that a visa for the researcher can be obtained from the French Embassy. Download the relevant form (in French only).

Doctorates

You can pursue your doctorate at UM1. The doctorate enables you to gain extensive, high level scientific knowledge within a recognised team attached to a Graduate School, under the supervision of an HDR teacher (teacher authorised to supervise research), within a limited time (3 years). The theses charter specifies the roles of doctoral students and their supporting teams.

Jointly supervised theses allow a doctorate to be obtained from two universities: UM1 and a foreign university. Apply to the “International Relations Department” for the joint supervision agreement.
The list of doctorates may be found in our educational offer (in French only).

Further Information

A “Guide for Guest Scientists and Professors” can be consulted on the Agropolis site. This tool is intended for foreign researchers and teachers visiting one of the member institutions of the International Agropolis and European Academic Pole, as doctoral students, postdoctorates, researchers and guest or visiting professors or those on sabbatical.
This guide is also aimed at those in charge of the laboratories which host these visitors as well as all international relocation operators.

Featured in this guide:

• the administrative formalities (host agreement, scientific visa, residence permit),
• the regulations (health insurance, civil liability),
• practical considerations (housing, children’s schooling, bank, French courses),
• exploring Montpellier and the surrounding region,
• an introduction to the Languedoc Roussillon Relocation Centre and its services.