Sophia Antipolis, France
SKEMA strives to create an environment where students can learn in a diverse and multicultural atmosphere. The campus is located in Sophia Antipolis, approximately 25 miles southwest of Nice, in the European Silicon Valley. This ideal location provides students with exposure to the European, Latin, and Mediterranean cultures and a perfect environment for enjoying beautiful weather and an abundance of travel opportunities of the French Riviera. SKEMA Business offers majors in International Business; Marketing; Finance; Hotel, Travel and Tourism Management; Sports Management, Management Information Systems and Management.
Please note: students are not accepted into the program until they submit their application and deposit to the UF International Center. You can start your online application today!
The City
Sophia Antipolis is in the heart of the Mediterranean, located between Nice and Cannes. It is actually a Technology Park/Community that has been a work in progress since the late 1960’s. Sophia Antipolis is home to educational institutions, research facilities, housing, recreational amenities and some of Europe’s leading technology companies. Some of the more prestigious international companies include IBM and L’Oreal. The development plan of 1974 provided for Sophia Antipolis’ 5600 acres to be divided into protected green spaces, business zones, and recreational areas. Two thirds of the land has been set aside to remain undeveloped green space. Even though there are many housing facilities, about 70% of the residents work outside of the park. With such a free flow of people, visitors have many opportunities to experience diverse cultures. Business students with senior status are eligible to participate in SKEMA’s graduate-level Masters program in Suzhou, China.
Student Life
SKEMA’s campus lies at the heart of Europe’s best known science park whose success is directly linked to its quality of life and exceptional environment. The area offers not only its natural beauty, but also a high level of cultural and social life enriched by the diversity of its population. The large international student population (over 5,000) provides a great opportunity for broadening horizons through new friendships. On-campus students are welcome to join one of the numerous student societies or clubs. Enrolling in one of these allow students to take part in campus life throughout their time at SKEMA. Students also enjoy the beautiful outdoor surroundings from café sidewalks, or for the more active, through new sports and activities. From the city square and the coast to nearby mountain ranges, there is always something happening.
Term Dates
Fall Semester: early September to mid-December
Spring Semester: early January to early May
Courses Available
SKEMA offers a variety of courses in multiple disciplines. Students are free to take courses outside of business. Use our course equivalency database to find out which courses at SKEMA can apply to your UF degree. Please see an academic advisor for information pertaining to requesting additional equivalencies.
Language of Instruction
Most courses are taught in English. Foreign language courses are available for credit.
Grade Conversion
SKEMA transcripts include European and U.S. grades. UF uses the U.S. grade to input into the student record.
Credit Conversion
SKEMA issues ECTS credits. UF uses ECTS x 0.5 to calculate UF credits and will round up if the result is not a whole number. Credit conversion is on a course-by-course basis – not the sum of credits earned.
Estimated Expenses
| Rough Expense Comparison | Semester at UF | Semester at SKEMA |
|---|---|---|
| UF Tuition | $3,190 | $3,190 |
| UFIC Admin. Fee | - | $425 |
| Health Insurance | - | $154 |
| Airfare | - | $1,400 |
| Housing / Utilities | $2,995 | $3,800 |
| Internet / Cable | $585 | Included |
| Food | $2,300 | $2,500 |
| Books | $445 | $300 |
| Transportation | $560 | $200 |
| Visa | - | $135 |
| Total | $10,075 | $12,104 |
- UF Cost of Attendance determined by Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
- SKEMA Cost of Attendance determined by UF International Center
Accommodation
The SKEMA housing service has a database of over 1,000 properties on offer. As soon as a student is admitted to the exchange program they will receive access to a site that displays a comprehensive list of recommended rentals. There are also five residence halls located in Sophia Antipolis close to the university. The school is 20 minutes by bus or car from the centre of the cities of Antibes, Juan-Les-Pins, Cannes and Grasse and 25 minutes from the centre of Nice.
Travel Opportunities
The Côte d’Azur region of France offers a wide variety of touring opportunities. It is home to some of the most famous cities in the French Riviera: Nice, Cannes, and Antibes. Students may visit Cathédrale Sainte Réparate in Nice; a remarkable cathedral built on the original location of Greek and Roman temples. Another noteworthy landmark, Musée Matisse, exhibits paintings, drawings, sketches and bronze sculptures from every time period of the famous French artist’s career. Sophia Antipolis is only a one-hour drive from Monaco and Italy. The Nice International Airport is only 20 minutes away from where students can fly to any major cities in Europe. All capitals are within a two-hour flight time.