Policies and Terms

As an institution subject to French government regulations, independent accreditation systems, and relevant European Union regulations, The Université Libérale de Paris (hereinafter referred to as Paris-U) would like to make public the terms, regulations, policies, and liability disclaimers outlined in this and related sections.

During the Paris-U’s operation, French and European regulations, laws, and related guidelines may undergo changes. Consequently, Paris-U reserves the right to amend or supplement policies while still adhering to agreements signed with students, partners, government agencies, accreditation bodies, international accreditation agencies, and relevant entities.

We strongly advise students and other stakeholders to thoroughly review and understand these terms before engaging in studies, collaborations, or interactions with Paris-U. This ensures transparency of information, prevents misinterpretation or intentional misinterpretation, ensures an anti-transparent communication process, promotes fair competition, and unequivocally safeguards the rights of all parties involved.

In addition to ensuring information transparency, we are steadfast in our adherence to French and European Union regulations, including, but not limited to, those that prohibit misleading communication and unfair competition practices.

If you have any questions or come across activities that may harm students, other stakeholders, or Paris-U, please contact the university’s legal department in France at: legal@paris-u.fr.

All Paris-U students and partners are required to sign and/or read all the commitments and agreements. Typically, these documents include terms that are publicly available as well as detailed terms specific to each group. Please read these terms carefully and reach out to a Paris-U representative if you have any questions. The terms of the agreements will automatically apply upon the signing and/or confirmation by the parties, indicating their full understanding of the terms.

Students at Paris-U can be anyone with sufficient academic ability who can meet the entrance criteria for programs announced by the university.

As a liberal arts higher education provider, we thoroughly assist students in becoming registered students at Paris-U, regardless of diverse backgrounds that include ethnicity, place of origin, circumstances, or religious beliefs.

Students who register with Paris-U must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the student handbook, which includes the requirement to provide accurate information. If candidates and students violate the principle of honesty, Paris-U reserves the right to refuse admission, cancel student status, and nullify cumulative results. In this case, there will be no reimbursement for fees and related expenses. The infringer must compensate Paris-U and related parties for any necessary losses.

While international accreditation is not mandatory in France, Paris-U actively promotes it to ensure the professionalism of the training process and to facilitate continuous improvement. Accreditations will be regularly updated in multiple languages on the official Paris-U website.

Paris-U is a private higher education institution providing graduate students with a liberal arts education, study flexibility, and alignment with market needs. The programs, delivered in English, cater to global students and operate independently of French government regulations and frameworks. Awards from Paris-U are issued by the institution and are not affiliated with France’s Federal qualifications or the public higher education system in the country.

The Paris-U program aligns with the European competency framework and EU higher education guidelines. While there are official documents regarding the similarity of regional and national competency frameworks, the recognition and acceptance of qualifications in accordance with international practice are determined by receiving organizations and are subject to each country’s specific regulations. Consequently, Paris-U and partners do not make any claims beyond its jurisdiction, including the recognition and acceptance of degrees by receiving organizations, as well as by governments and other relevant parties. Paris-U and its international and local partners do not support this process for any purpose or country.

Paris-U consistently updates our information and lectures to stay responsive and adaptable to changes in the workplace and related regulations.

The content on the website, in publications, emails, and other media is accurate at the time of communication but is subject to change without prior notice.

The training scope and program may change during the process of rolling out the program, but it must still meet the competency framework and the independent accrediting unit’s assessment criteria. If the original agreement is changed, Paris-U will notify the students of any changes, new programs, and alternative learning paths, as applicable. 

The training scope and program may change during the program’s implementation, but it must still meet the competency framework and the assessment criteria of the independent accrediting unit. If the original agreement is modified, Paris-U will notify students of any changes, new programs, and alternative learning paths, as applicable.

In cases of changing and severely affected economic and political situations, as well as force majeure events, the training method is subject to adjustments.  During such circumstances, the school will inform and consult with the student and revise the student’s initial training plan accordingly.

Third-party learning materials are either purchased, rented, or licensed by Paris-U. Some learning materials are compiled by Paris-U lecturers. While all these materials have been evaluated and approved by the Paris-U Academic Board, they may occasionally contain inappropriate content when applied to certain international students. In such instances, Paris-U will promptly modify the training scope if it deems the impact significant, but it cannot be held responsible, either solely or jointly, for any damages resulting from the training scope.

Students and stakeholders may only use the training content for personal learning and research purposes, and it may not be copied in any form, commercial or non-commercial. Copyright-related content will be stated more clearly in the Copyright Policy section.

Credit is acknowledging the amount and duration of study required to acquire knowledge.

Paris-U employs the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) for its credit system. Some Paris-U programs also utilize the UK RQF credit system due to our partnership with the British education system.

The Academic Board at Paris-U is responsible for internal credit recognition. It’s important to note that while Paris-U and our partners perform this recognition, we cannot guarantee that these credits will also be recognized by other universities or entities not affiliated with Paris-U.

If you intend to transfer your Paris-U credits to another educational institution or system, we recommend consulting with the destination university or other entity first. While Paris-U will offer assistance within our capabilities, we do not intervene in the admissions processes of other universities. It’s crucial to understand that Paris-U cannot commit to guaranteed recognition when transferring to another institution.

Students will be recognised for their academic progress and awarded a degree from Paris-U upon completing coursework and compliance with our requirements and obligations, including academic discipline and integrity. In the case of students who pursue dual degrees or programs with our partners, they may also receive additional diplomas or certifications from these institutions.

It’s important to note that every country, institution, and region has specific rules and criteria for recognizing academic progress and qualifications. The recognition and acceptance of degrees are subjective decisions made by the relevant agencies, government authorities, or in accordance with regional policies, as per international norms. While Paris-U’s degrees are accredited by an independence accreditor, align with competency frameworks, and are subject to internal and external assessments, this does not automatically guarantee recognition or acceptance. Paris-U and its partners do not provide a guarantee of recognition in any country for any purpose, including employment, teaching, research supervision, and any other purposes.

With the goal of becoming a premier private higher education institute in training through the Hybrid learning model (a blend of Live Class and local tutoring), Paris-U adopts the following training approach:

• For international students in countries without Paris-U partners or campuses: Students will partake in online learning with Live Class sessions directly led by Paris-U instructors.
• For students in countries with partners or campuses recognized by Paris-U, learners will engage in Live Class sessions with Paris-U instructors, concurrently participating in local support activities facilitated by the partner.

Please note that while local partners offer support, they lack the authority to decide alternative study outcomes with Paris-U. The sole discretion to determine academic results lies with Paris-U and partner universities involved in the assessment and diploma awarding process.

In support of our hybrid training model, Paris-U has invested in various cities and e-campuses, both in France and globally, with the goal of bringing programs and support systems closer to learners.

Throughout program implementation, whether in France or online, Paris-U may collaborate with partner schools for execution, but it’s essential to recognize that these campuses are not owned by Paris-U.

While clarity on this matter might be lacking in many schools in France, Paris-U, guided by its commitment to transparency, avoids making commitments to large campuses. Students are encouraged to engage in discussions with parents and relevant parties before enrollment, and Paris-U does not commit to meeting expectations of studying at a sizable campus.

As mindful of the secure office locations of Paris-U, if relatives of full-time students need to meet with Paris-U staff in France or visit our city or e-campus in France or other countries, it’s imperative for students to notify Paris-U in advance.

Paris-U reserves the right to approve or deny the request, considering its work schedule and human resources plan.

When visiting either the city campus or e-campus of Paris-U, please take note of the following:

• Only relatives of full-time students are allowed. We do not accept or arrange visits for online students and their relatives.
• Advance notice is necessary, and tour dates are not bound by Paris-U public holidays and seasonal schedules.
• Students should be aware that the city campus or e-campus is an executive office, constituting a segment of the building’s campus and not a sprawling campus akin to public schools.
• Some training venues, libraries, and facilities catering to Paris-U students operate in collaboration with partner universities in some countries or public schools in their locations. It’s important for students to recognize that these facilities are owned either by the government or a partner university. For security reasons, only parents and relatives of full-time students from any campus are allowed to visit that campus.
• Students are expected to prioritize safety and security and should refrain from disrupting the day-to-day operations of Paris-U. Additionally, students bear the responsibility for compensating any damage incurred to Paris-U facilities, as well as facilities belonging to partners and government entities in case of damage or loss.

Paris-U recognizes the cultural variations in educational practices across countries, and it’s common for international students to envision schools with expansive campuses. However, this perception doesn’t necessarily apply to private schools in France, particularly under Paris-U’s strategic innovation model. Committed to transparent information, Paris-U refrains from making commitments beyond its control or presenting inaccurate or unrealistic content. Paris-U encourages prospective students to engage in proactive learning, understanding, and embracing the journey with the expectation of excellent academic experiences.

With its hybrid training model, Paris-U attracts students from diverse regions and countries worldwide.

In practice, students often encounter challenges obtaining visas and securing the opportunity to travel to Switzerland for the graduation ceremony, significantly impacting both organizational aspects and the applicants themselves. Despite having the right to attend the ceremony, a considerable number of graduating students were absent.

As a result, Paris-U has decided not to host the graduation ceremony for online students in France from 2024 onward. Instead, the plan is to collaborate with local partners to organize separate graduation ceremonies for each region. In such instances, a designated representative from Paris-U will travel to the respective region to confer the diplomas.

Paris-U strives to protect personal information by strictly adhering to regulations, ensuring information safety and security, and implementing the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

Apart from collecting information necessary for program implementation, training, and quality improvement purposes, Paris-U does not gather information from students or partners. Any disclosure to third parties, other than for the abovementioned purposes, will only occur in response to orders/requests from competent authorities.

In the event of information security breaches resulting from unauthorized access, Paris-U collaborates with relevant authorities and parties to resolve such issues. Paris-U disclaims liability for intrusions beyond our control.

Paris-U follows fairness rules when admitting students, commenting on results, and reviewing and allocating scholarships, funding, and budgets to students and stakeholders. It does so without regard for gender, ethnicity, race, religion, and political beliefs are all factors to consider.

Because Paris-U is a liberal arts university, its training system and program structure allow students to freely choose their major, a study plan, and quickly transfer to another university when a change is desired.

Paris-U abides by human rights regulations, including protecting and promoting the human right to education. Students at Paris-U can freely choose their major, a study plan, and easily switch to another major when they want a change.

The intellectual property rights of content providers, instructors, students, and other third parties are respected by Paris-U. Respect for intellectual property rights is likewise expected of students and users of our educational system.

When studying or collaborating with Paris-U, students, and other stakeholders must follow signed or unsigned regulations that follow international copyright practices.

All information published by Paris-U and its partners, including learning materials, documents, forms, minutes, and other contents published officially or unofficially, internally or externally, are the property of Paris-U. Students, partners, and other stakeholders must not copy, use, or reuse material for purposes other than learning and personal research. Outside of the above copyright agreement, all reproduction activities for either commercial or non-commercial purposes are copyright infringements against Paris-U.

Copyright infringement is one of the most serious infringements, according to Paris-U. Paris-U has the authority and reserves the right to terminate a student’s status, annul the student’s results, degrees, and online account if it is discovered that the student infringes on intellectual property rights. This policy remains in effect even after the learning process has been completed.

In the event that a student or another party violates the copyright, resulting in damages (including actual and intended or implied damages), Paris-U fully supports the investigation process, but is not responsible for any material, financial, or liability disclaimer if it is determined that the infringement of copyright is beyond Paris-U’s scope of influence.  

Protecting the reputations of students, partners, and Paris-U is a top priority for a university that accepts students from all over the world. Transparency of information, anti-false communication, and anti-unfair competition policies are all mandatory regulations that must be followed in accordance with EU regulations and conventions as well as international conventions.

Paris-U coordinates with members in other countries, consular offices in Paris-U partner countries, and Paris-U member universities to assist in ensuring the legitimate interests of students, Paris-U legal entities, Paris-U partners, and Paris-U itself.

When there are media-related issues and the information stated in the press release (announcement/article) is false and/or harms the university’s reputation, interests, and related interests, Paris-U, in collaboration with universities and global partners, and the Ministry of Education, Consular Affairs, and the legal department will implement a process to prevent faulty communication, as detailed below. Please remember that the content published here is only a small step of the process and is only available in countries and territories where Paris-U accepts its students.

False communication behaviours include the following:

Promoting and spreading misleading information in any way:

• The university’s legitimacy; 
• The university’s international accreditation and recognition;
• Legitimacy and the right to take part in education regardless of one’s age, gender, socioeconomic class, or location;
• Information and photos that are the assets of the university and its partners, as well as other actions that may influence or hurt the institution’s reputation, honour, and interests as well as those of its partners and students worldwide;
• Communication actions that, whether purposefully or accidentally, lead to misunderstandings or are only partially accurate, display unfair competition, are not true to their nature;
• Content that violates the public disclosure of the disclaimer issued by Paris-U and its partners.

False communication management procedures (applicable in several countries):

Creating a bailiff and a disposal squad

The university develops a team (AKA a bailiff and a disposal squad) to handle the incident, gathers all relevant information, collects evidence, and collaborates with interested parties to readily handle it in three steps as follows:

Step 1: Alert the parties involved and related parties.

Inform the involved parties of the violation, as well as the diplomatic mission in the country where the university is registered to operate and the representative of the host country’s diplomatic mission in the country where the university is registered to operate.

Step 2: Request that the responsible party make good the damage

Issue an official notice and request that the involved party make good the damage by providing (1) a description of the violating behaviour; (2) evidence; (3) damage estimates; and (4) the terms have been violated in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, conventions, and so on to which the university has signed and/or the national government of the country in which the incident occurred.

Step 3: Keep a close eye on the remediation process.

If the faulty communication behaviour is not completely made good, we will monitor the remediation process of the responsible party in concern and take other firm and strict measures.

Paris-U hereby reserves the unilateral right to amend these terms at any time, with such modifications becoming immediately effective.

Terms agreed to with related parties will remain in effect. If the signed agreements are changed, they will only take effect if deemed more favourable to Paris-U than the existing agreement.

The new terms will take effect immediately for newly formed agreements.

The tuition fee policy is outlined in the student handbook, which is distributed to students prior to beginning the program. The tuition policy is subject to change at any time. Paris-U reserves the right to refuse or grant a scholarship.

• Tuition fees, accompanying services, learning materials, and costs for the learning process, excluding textbooks, are all included in training costs (if purchased from other suppliers). Application fees, consular legalization fees, notarization fees, library fees, and other expenses incurred in relation to the specified life-long learning are not included in training costs.
• The student handbook will outline any additional fees. Students have the option to choose or decline services. Students are not required or obligated to use optional services if they are part of an optional cost at Paris-U. 
• Students should carefully read the student handbook’s refund policy.
• Paris-U provides scholarships and tuition grants on a fair, non-discriminatory basis; however, Paris-U reserves the right to decide whether or not to grant scholarships and financial support. The refusal, if any, is made by Paris-U. Paris-U may or may not be required to explain the reasons for the scholarship denial.
• Tuition fees are only collected by Paris-U representatives in several countries and returned to Paris-U.
• Paris-U is committed to providing complete tuition fee information, not collecting anything not listed, and not forcing students to pay optional fees.

Tuition reimbursement policies are implemented in accordance with Paris-U regulations, as outlined in the student handbook, and in accordance with the relevant guidelines. Students are always given information before enrolling and are made aware of the tuition refund policy before enrolling and after being accepted by Paris-U.

The Tuition Refund Policies detail the types of fees that are refundable or non-refundable, as well as the reason and the proportion of refund (if any). The following are some notes on the tuition refund policy:

• The registration fee will not be refunded whether or not the student is admitted to the program. 
• With regard to the first fee payment:
  • Tuition for the first session will be fully refunded after two weeks from the date the first course begins.
  • The tuition fee for the first period will be refunded 75% before the first week of the program’s first course.
  • Tuition fees will be fully refunded after two weeks from the date the first course begins.
  • Tuition for the first session will be refunded at a 25% discount from the first to the fourth week after the first course opens.
  • After the first course has been open for four weeks, tuition for the first session will not be refunded.
• With regard to the following fee payments: The tuition fee of the next payment will be refunded based on the payment schedule milestone announced by the school, with the following details:
  • Tuition fees for the following payments will be refunded in full after one week of payment, according to the announced payment schedule.
  • Tuition fees for the following payments will be refunded at a 75% rate after two weeks from the payment date, according to the payment schedule announced.
  • Tuition fees for the following payments will be refunded at a 50% rate after three weeks from the payment date, according to the payment schedule announced.
  • Tuition fees for the following payments will be refunded at a 75% rate after four weeks from the payment date, according to the payment schedule announced.
  • Tuition fees for the following payments will not be refunded after five weeks from the payment date according to the announced payment schedule.
• Candidates paying the full tuition fee are eligible for a one-time reduction. Fee refunds for one-time payments will be handled as follows:
  • Tuition fees will be refunded in full within two weeks of the first course beginning.
  • 75% of the tuition fee will be refunded before the first week of the program’s first course.
  • Upon the first course opening, the tuition fee will be refunded at a 50% rate from week one to week two.
  • Tuition will be refunded at a 25% rate from the first to the fourth week after the course is opened.
  • After the first course has been open for four weeks, tuition fees will not be refunded.

The time frame for refunds will be determined according to when the student confirms the withdrawal in writing.