If you are not Tunisian and you are willing to join UAS, this is for you. It contains practical information to ensure a smooth integration in Tunisia and outstanding studies at UAS.
By choosing to study in Tunisia, you will benefit from a very pleasant life quality combining a relatively low cost, a moderate climate, a developed infrastructure and a quality of education recognized abroad.
By choosing UAS, you choose a university whose hand priority is to meet the demand of the labor market and which gives itself the means to do so.
By choosing UAS, you are choosing a high-quality, internationally-oriented education innovation-based, the availability of cutting-edge technologies and an institution that gives a great importance to the student and his personal development.
By choosing UAS, you choose a curriculum, which, in addition to building strong technical skills, prepare you for the working environment in companies and thus offering you the greatest chances of employability.
visa application
An international student is any person enrolled at the University who does not have the status of Tunisian citizen or permanent resident as regulated by the immigration law.
Such students must hold a valid passport and an entry visa upon arrival at the University. Since the visa is not required for nationals of certain foreign countries, it is useful to inquire at the Tunisian Consulate in your country of origin about specific regulations. If no Tunisian consulate is available at the country of residence, it is recommended to check with a neighboring country with a Tunisian diplomatic representation.
The documents to be provided for the visa application are the following:
– 2 identities gallery
– 3 visa forms issued by the Tunisian Consulate
- a photocopy of the first 3 pages of your passport
- a photocopy of the registration certificate and payment receipt.
PS: The processing time for the visa could be long and depends on your country of residence. It is therefore important to submit your application as soon as you receive your final registration from the UAS.
Prepare for your departure
When should you arrived?
It is strongly recommended to arrive at least one week before the start of the classes in order to find accommodation and familiarize yourself with your new environment.
For more information on the dates of the beginning of the academic year, please check our website atwww.uas.ens.tn
How to plan your budget?
UAS does not have loan or scholarship programs for foreign students. Foreign applicants who wish to pursue studies in Tunisia must ensure, before leaving their country, that they have sufficient financial resources for their studies. Proof of sufficient funds must also be presented to the Tunisian authorities to obtain the necessary residence permits.
Although it is difficult to accurately assess a student's budget, the following table provides an estimate of annual fees, not including tuition fees.
PS: These amounts are offered as an indication / euro rate 1 € ~ .3. D.T.
What weather to expect and what clothes to wear?
Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate. Winters are rather mild with a few cool and rainy days. However, warm clothing shall be available as humidity and not only temperature can affect your wellbeing.
Summers are dry, often very hot and sometimes last until the end of October. It is therefore necessary to bring summer clothes, ideally in cotton.
The average temperature is: in winter from 10°C to 18°C – in summer from 25°C to 35°C
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Upon your arrival in Tunis
In most of the cases, you will land at Tunis-Carthage Airport located at about 30 minutes from the University.
There, you will have to present to the border police authorities your passport, your study visa, your certificate of enrollment at the University and possibly proof of sufficient financial resources (certificate of scholarship or any other document for that purpose).
taking care of you at the airport
A university representative will welcome you at the airport. Your date of arrival should be communicated to us at least 48 hours in advance.
taking care of you at the University
You shall go to the UAS Students Affairs as soon as you arrive in Tunis in order to collect the certified copies of all documents previously sent by fax or email and present the original versions of your documents.
Documents to be submitted:
– The original admission documents if your request was made by fax or internet,
– A copy of the first pages of your passport,
– A copy of the entry visa to the Tunisian territory and during any renewal,
– A copy of your health insurance certificate. If you did not get a health insurance in your country of origin, you must buy one upon arrival.
You will be able to meet the staff of the Office of International Students and ask for any information that makes your stay in Tunisia smooth and pleasant.
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Housing
Many housing options are located near the university, allowing you to live in the neighborhood. The university can also help you find accommodation upon request.
Renting an apartment
There are several types of accommodation, the price of which varies depending on the neighborhood and the size of the apartment:
– A furnished studio apartment generally includes a room, a kitchenette and a bathroom with a monthly rent ranging from 400 to 500 dinars *
– An apartment consists of two, three or four rooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen. It is rarely furnished and can be shared by several people: monthly rent is between 400 and 600 dinars * for more spacious villas: the rent is between 600 and 800 dinars *
In addition to the monthly rent, the costs of utilities (electricity, heating, telephone, etc.) are separate and on you.
Renting an accommodation has to be performed by signing a leasing contract that binds the tenant and the owner. This lease which provides the rights and obligations of the parties generally lasts one year. The signature on the contract has to be what we call in Tunisia “legalized”. A procedure done at the Town Hall (Municipality) and may be required to obtain your residence permit.
Accommodation in a dorm
If you plan early enough, it is possible to reserve rooms in a private dorm even before your arrival. The cost is around 50 € / bed / month.
Currency and money transfer
The official currency in Tunisia is the dinar. It is not convertible and thus, for local transactions you can only deal in Tunisian dinars. One dinar is worth around 0.33 euros.
Upon your arrival in Tunis, you can exchange the non-Tunisian currency in your possession to Tunisian dinars at the banks located at the airport (they are open 7 days a week) or at the regular banks in town.
Transfers of funds
One of the options to receive funds in Tunisia is to make an international bank transfer to a local bank in Tunis in an account opened in your name.
Large foreign banks have Tunisian partner banks where you can perform the transfer.
However, the transfer by bank is usually quite long (several weeks), it is therefore advisable to bring with you, in the form of cash or traveler's checks, a sufficient amount to cover your expenses for two months.
Western Union transfer is available and faster but is more expensive.
Open a bank account
To open a bank account, you must go to the branch of the bank of your choice with the following documents:
– Photocopy of the 1st page of your passport.
– The copy of your certificate of registration at the university, the student card or the copy of your definitive or provisional residence permit.
What you need to get your residence permit
The residence permit is a compulsory document that you shall apply for upon your arrival in Tunis, within a period not exceeding one month of stay on the Tunisian territory.
Documents to provide:
– The certificate of registration at the university as well as the receipt of payment of your tuition fees
– The rent contract / or in the case where you are staying in a dorm: a certificate of residence
– 2 photo passports
– 2 fiscal stamps of 10 DT to be purchased from the Tax/Finance Office (ask for “recipe des finances”)
– A proof of the resources in the Bank and/or a certificate of support
– Proof of health / accident insurance
The residence permit is only issued after 2 or 3 months from the date of submission of the application. It will be valid until September 30) and renewable each year. In the meantime, the police station will issue you a temporary card which allows you to be in a regular situation throughout Tunisia.
General information
social services
The University can assist you with a medical service which takes care of your health and the procedures of preventive medicine (vaccinations, medical visits, etc.).
Food
University Restaurants
University students have access to state-run university restaurants. Meal costs are extremely affordable (200 millimes = 0.10 euros).
Other places where to eat
A cafeteria is available at the university for students.
In addition, near the University, there are many small restaurants, cafeterias, pizzerias which offer a whole range of food at very affordable prices.