Work-Study Program
How study and salaried professional experience combine at AI2, and what international applicants should check before applying.
Work-study · alternance
Study at AI2, work in a company, earn a salary
In France, work-study (alternance) combines teaching at AI2 with paid employment under an apprenticeship contract (contrat d’apprentissage) or a professionalisation contract (contrat de professionnalisation). You alternate between campus and company on a fixed rhythm set by the programme, with a company tutor and an academic tutor following your progress.
- Tuition funded by the employer through its training-fund operator (OPCO) for the period covered by the contract.
- A salary calculated as a percentage of the French minimum wage (SMIC), according to age and year of study.
- Professional experience on real projects, counted towards the company placement required by the programme.
- Availability stated on each programme page; in the international portfolio the format may be available from the second year in France.
Check your eligibility
Eligibility depends on your programme, your year of study and your residence status. Admissions confirms it before you commit.
The two work-study contracts in France
| Criteria | Apprenticeship contract | Professionalisation contract |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Students aged 16 to 29 preparing a registered qualification (older applicants in specific cases) | Young people aged 16 to 25, job seekers aged 26 and over, and certain beneficiaries of social benefits |
| Status | Salaried employee of the host company, enrolled at AI2 | Salaried employee of the host company, enrolled at AI2 |
| Rhythm | Alternating periods at AI2 and in the company, following the programme calendar | Alternating periods, with a minimum share of training time set by the contract |
| Salary | Percentage of the SMIC according to age and year of contract | Percentage of the SMIC according to age and qualification level |
| Tuition | Funded by the employer through its OPCO; no tuition charged to the student for the funded period | Funded by the employer through its OPCO |
| International students | Requires a residence status allowing employment; assessed from the second year in France | Requires a residence status allowing employment; assessed individually |
Indicative summary of French public information. The applicable rules are those published by the French authorities at the time of the contract.
How AI2 supports your company search
01 · Prepare
Career preparation
CV and interview coaching, a documented GitHub portfolio and a target list of employers, built during the first year.
02 · Connect
Employer contacts
Opportunities shared from the companies AI2 works with on projects and placements. Admission does not guarantee a host employer.
03 · Formalise
Contract and follow-up
Employer, OPCO and AI2 formalise the contract; tuition funding and salary are confirmed in writing before the work-study year starts.
Your work-study timeline
| When | What happens | Who is involved |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Tell admissions that you are interested in a work-study format; eligibility is checked against your programme, year and status | You, AI2 admissions |
| Year 1 in France | Initial training and career preparation for international students | You, AI2 academic and career team |
| Company search | Applications to host companies with AI2’s support | You, employers, AI2 |
| Contract signature | Contract formalised; funding and salary confirmed in writing | Employer, OPCO, AI2 |
| Work-study year | Alternating rhythm between campus and company, academic follow-up and company tutor | You, company tutor, AI2 tutor |
Official information
For the current French rules on apprenticeship and professionalisation contracts, consult Service-Public.fr, the French Ministry of Labour and the national portal alternance.emploi.gouv.fr. International applicants should also read our visa guidance and the tuition and scholarships page.