The academic year at MSc in NLP is divided into two main semesters. Below is an overview of important dates, including semester start/end dates, holidays, and break periods.

Back-to-Uni Meeting

• 2 September 2024, at 9 am

Semester 7 (S7)

• Duration: 2 September 2024 – 12 January 2025
• Courses’ Weeks: 36-37-38-39-40-41-42-43-44-45-46-47-48
• Holiday Breaks: Week 44 and Weeks 52-01 (Note: breaks do not apply to alternance/apprenticeship students)
• Jury S7: 28 January 2025, at 2 pm (Grades due: 18 January 2025)

Semester 8 (S8)

• Duration: 13 January 2025 – 6 June 2025
• Courses’ Weeks: 03-04-05-06 / 11-12-13-14 / 19-20-21-22-23
• Holiday Breaks: Week 08 and Weeks 15-16 (Note: breaks do not apply to alternance/apprenticeship students)
• Supervised Project:
  • Report Deadline: 12 June 2025
  • Defenses: 18-20 June 2025
• Jury S8: 20 June 2025, at 2 pm (Grades due: 10 June 2025)

Catch-Up Exams

• S7: Week 10
• S8: Week 27
• Jury Session 2 (S7-S8): TBA

The calendar remains the same for all students, regardless of whether they have an apprenticeship.

The academic year at MSc in NLP is divided into two main semesters. Below is an overview of important dates, including semester start/end dates, holidays, and break periods.

Back-to-Uni Meeting

• 2 September 2024, at 1 pm

Semester 9 (S9)

• Duration:
  • 2 September 2024 – 11 October 2024
  • 12 November 2024 – 20 December 2024
• Courses’ Weeks: 36-37-38-39-40-41 / 46-47-48
• Holiday Breaks: Weeks 42-43-44-45 and Weeks 52-01-02-03 (Note: breaks do not apply to alternance/apprenticeship students)
• Jury S9: 21 March 2025
• Catch-Up Exams S9: 25–29 August 2025

Internships & Final Defenses

• Internships Begin: 24 February 2025
• M2 Defenses: From 28 August 2025
• Final Jury M2: 5 September 2025

The calendar remains the same for all students, regardless of whether they have an apprenticeship.

Students attend the monthly IDMC Cognition and NLP seminars, held on Wednesday afternoons from 16:00 to 18:00. These seminars, in French or English, feature experts from academia and industry who discuss topics in AI, NLP, and cognitive science.

2 October 2024

• Speaker: Tarek ZIADE (Mozilla)
• Topic: Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence chez Mozilla

6 November 2024

• Speaker: Marion MARCHIVE (IMoPA, UMR 7365)
• Topic: Bases neurales de la reconnaissance visuelle des mots à l’aide de l’approche FPVS (Fast Periodic Visual Stimulation) couplée à l’EEG (Electroencéphalogramme) chez les sujets sains et patients épileptiques

4 December 2024

• Speaker: Karën FORT (IDMC, Loria)
• Topic: L’éthique de l’IA vue du TAL : le bon, le brut et l’évaluation

22 January 2025

• Speaker: Vincent P. MARTIN (Inria, Sémagramme)
• Topic: Voice biomarkers for mental health: what are we talking about?

These seminars are mandatory.

An apprenticeship is a work-study arrangement where students in our Master’s programme can sign a contract with a company or, less commonly, a laboratory, to gain practical experience alongside their studies. This typically involves alternating periods of work at the company and study at the IDMC according to a set calendar each year.

Apprenticeships offer numerous benefits, including networking opportunities, quick professional integration, hands-on training from industry professionals, and the ability to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.

While it is not mandatory, securing an apprenticeship contract is a good idea for a student to gain practical experience alongside their studies.

To sign an apprenticeship contract in France, students must generally be between the ages of 16 and 29 (included). However, certain individuals aged 30 and over can also qualify, including:

• Apprentices pursuing a diploma or certificate at a higher level than one earned in a previous apprenticeship,
• Individuals with disabilities,
• Those needing a diploma or certification for a business creation or takeover project,
• High-level athletes.

Apprenticeship contracts are open to individuals of all nationalities. However, both the student and the company must be located in France, as this type of contract is specific to the country.

Apprenticeships are not mandatory, and it is the student’s responsibility to secure one if they wish to pursue this option.

Apprenticeships must align with the student’s academic and professional project. Both the host organisation and the topic must be approved by the Head of the Programme, based on a completed information sheet and, if necessary, supporting documents such as a detailed topic description.

An apprenticeship contract typically lasts for the remainder of the diploma. If secured during the first year, the contract will cover two years; if secured during the second year, it will last for one year. Students should confirm the expected duration of the apprenticeship with the potential employer.

To formalise an apprenticeship, several steps must be completed in coordination with the CFA (Apprentice Training Centre), the employer, and the university. The process is outlined below:

1. Candidate Admission and Project Approval: The student’s admission to the Master’s programme must be confirmed, and their professional project approved by the Head of the Programme.Requests to set up the apprenticeship contract and financial approval (if required for public employers) are initiated at this stage.
2. Preparation of the Application File: The CFA prepares the applicant’s file, which includes details about the employer, the apprentice, and the apprenticeship position.
3. Completion of Information Sheets: The employer and the future apprentice each fill in their respective information sheets to ensure all necessary details are provided.
4. Preparation of the Official Agreement: The CFA creates the official CERFA form (a regulated administrative document) and the apprenticeship training agreement. These documents are sent to the employer for review.
5. Signing the Agreement: Both the employer and the apprentice sign the agreement to formalise the apprenticeship.
6. Verification and Approval: The CFA reviews the signed agreement and verifies all details before granting final approval.
7. Submission of the Application: The employer submits the apprentice’s application to their funding and support organisation to secure funding and validate the contract.
8. Coverage Approval: The funding and support organisation, or other relevant public employer confirms coverage for the apprenticeship, finalising the process.

Throughout this process, students should ensure they submit all required information promptly and include the relevant contacts (such as their employer and the CFA) in their email correspondence with the administration.

As an apprentice, your rights are protected under French labour law ("Code du Travail"), which takes precedence in the event of a dispute. The rights and obligations of student apprentices depend on the type of contract: the "contrat d’apprentissage" or the "contrat de professionnalisation". Trial Periods

Trial periods depend both on the type and length of the contract:

• Students on a "Contrat d’apprentissage": a 45-day trial period applies, calculated based solely on days worked in the company.
• Students on a "Contrat de professionnalisation": a 1-month trial period applies for contracts under 6 months, and a 2-month trial period applies for contracts over 6 months.

Work Hours

The working time of the apprentice is the same as that of other employees. The legal working time staff is set at 35 hours per week.

If the apprentice exceeds 35 hours in a given week, they are entitled to request overtime payment from their employer. Conversely, if fewer than 35 hours are completed, the employer may require the apprentice to make up for the missing hours, potentially creating logistical challenges when the company is far from the student’s residence or university. Paid Leave, Special Leave & Exam Prep Days

Apprentices are entitled to five weeks of paid leave annually, as stipulated by French labour law. The employer retains the right to decide when these leave days can be taken, ensuring compatibility with the company’s operations.

Apprentices are entitled to maternity and paternity leave, as well as leave for significant personal events such as marriage, civil partnership (PACS), or the death of a family member. These rights are identical to those granted to other employees under French labour law.

In addition to standard paid leave:

• Students on a "contrat d’apprentissage" are granted a total of five additional paid working days for exam preparation over the duration of the programme. These days must be taken during the month preceding exams and can be spread across multiple periods. They are to be arranged in coordination with your employer and are not granted annually but rather per apprenticeship contract. If these days are included in the academic schedule, they count as part of your training time; otherwise, they must be explicitly requested from your employer.
• Students on a "contrat de professionnalisation" do not receive dedicated exam preparation leave. They may, however, use their standard paid leave to prepare for exams.

Financial & Administrative Benefits

Tuition fees are fully covered under both "contrat d’apprentissage" and "contrat de professionnalisation".

• Students on a "Contrat d’apprentissage": fees are reimbursed by the CFA (Apprentice Training Centre).
• Students on a "Contrat de professionnalisation": fees are paid by the employer directly.

Additionally, apprentices are eligible for:

• Social Benefits: Coverage under the state health and social security system, workplace accident insurance, and access to the company’s health insurance.
• Transport Reimbursement: A 50% reimbursement of public transport subscriptions. More info and eligibility on this page.
• Retirement Contributions: Apprentices accrue retirement rights during their contracts.
• CAF activity bonus: Depending on their salary, apprentices may also qualify for the "prime d’activité", which supplements low-to-moderate incomes. More info and eligibility on this page.

Housing Assistance – MOBILI-JEUNE

Students under 30 years old on apprenticeship contracts may qualify for this housing allowance, which helps cover part of their rent.

Eligibility Criteria (as of 2024):

• Be under 30 years old.
• Have a gross monthly salary of €2,162.16 or less.
• Be in a private-sector (non-agricultural) organisation.
• Have relocated to be closer to work or university.
• Be on an apprenticeship contract ("Contrat d'apprentissage" or "Contrat de professionalisation").
• Have no ongoing application or a previous (completed) application.
• Live in rented accommodation (private or public housing, student housing, etc.).

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted within 3 months before or 5 months after the apprenticeship start date or the contract anniversary.

• More information on this link.
• Check your eligibility here.
• Submit your application here.

Driving Licence Assistance

Apprentices can receive a €500 allowance from the state to finance a category B driving licence.

Eligibility Criteria (as of 2024):

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold an active apprenticeship contract.
• Be enrolled in a driving licence course ("Catégorie B").
• Have no ongoing application or a previous (completed) application.

How to Apply: You must submit an application form to the apprentice training centre (CFA) where you are enrolled.

• More information on this link.
• Download the form here.

M1 students may undertake a 2–3-month internship in a laboratory between the first and second years of the programme (after the supervised project defence and before the back-to-school meeting). A short report of the work completed during the internship must be submitted to , but there is no formal evaluation for this internship.

M2 students dedicate the entire second semester to a compulsory internship, lasting at least four months in a research lab or five months in a company. This internship requires a written report and an oral defence before a jury. Grades are based on the report, the defence, and the supervisor's evaluation.

The defences are public, and all Bachelor’s and Master’s students are welcome to attend.

It is the student's responsibility to find an internship. However, the programme provides support through partnerships with local, national, and international companies and research laboratories across various disciplines.

Internships must align with the student's academic and professional project. Both the host organisation and the topic must be approved by the Head of M2, based on a completed information sheet and, if necessary, supporting documents such as a detailed topic description.

Step 1: Submit Internship Details for Approval

To initiate the internship agreement process, students must submit a detailed description of the internship provided by the host organisation, along with a summary, to Karën FORT for approval. The following information is required:

• Student Information:
  • Full name
• Internship Description:
  • Subject of the internship
  • Duties and tasks to be undertaken
  • Skills to be developed
• Host Organisation Information:
  • Company name
  • Address and city
  • Website
• Key Contacts:
  • Full name and email address of the tutor
  • Full name and email address of the signatory of the internship agreement
• Internship Terms:
  • Start and end dates
  • Allowances and other benefits

Once the internship subject has been approved by Karën FORT, students may proceed to the next step. Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

Students should collect any additional information required from the host organisation, such as the SIRET number or confirmation for remote work.

Submit the following documents to Karine WEISSE:

• The completed internship topic review information sheet
• The completed internship agreement form (available on the ENT, under the tile "STAGES")
• A certificate of civil liability

Step 3: Complete and Sign the Internship Agreement

The internship agreement must be signed in the following order:

1. The student.
2. The host organisation (tutor and signatory of structure).
3. The Head of M2 (Karën FORT).
4. The Head of the IDMC (Antoine TABBONE).

Both the required signatures and a certificate of civil liability are mandatory before the agreement can be signed by the IDMC. The agreement must be completed before the start of the internship.

Internship evaluations are based on:

• The supervisor’s remarks on the work done.
• The quality of the written report, evaluated by the university supervisor.
• The quality of the defence, which consists of a 20-minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of questions. A slideshow is required for the defence.

Reports must be sent to the Head of M2 at least eight days before the defence (strict deadline). Both a digital and, if requested, a printed copy must be provided.

The defence jury proposes a grade, but the official jury decides the final grades. Feedback will not be provided after the defence.

Students must use the LaTeX template masters-doctoral-thesis for their report. The cover page must include:

• The logos of the Université de Lorraine, the IDMC, and the laboratory or company where the internship took place.
• The name of the host organisation.
• The start and end dates of the internship.
• The title of the report.
• The student’s name.
• The degree programme in which the student is enrolled.
• The jury composition (may be added later).

The report should include:

• A table of contents.
• A detailed account of the internship.
• Figures, if included, must be accompanied by captions.
• Bibliographic references at the end.
• Annexes, if included, must be located at the end of the report, before the bibliography.
• Consistent typography throughout. Avoid underlining and bold text. Pages must be numbered.

Reports should be no more than 50 pages and include the following sections:

• Host Organisation: Provide a brief description, including its size, objectives, staff, and equipment or software used. Avoid brochures or advertisements.
• Presentation of the Problem: Explain the problem addressed during the internship and its broader context (e.g., a project stage such as study, specifications, conception, implementation).
• Work Done: Detail the methods, tools, and results, providing illustrations such as screenshots or figures. Relate the work to NLP.
• Conclusion: Reflect on the successes and challenges of the internship, any gaps in university preparation, and aspects of the programme that were particularly helpful.

Below is a list of the required forms and documents for the internship process. Please ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed and submitted as instructed.

Internship Agreement:

• Internship topic review information sheet (to be emailed to Karën FORT).
• Internship agreement form available on the ENT, under the tile "STAGES" (to be emailed to Karine WEISSE).

Evaluation Documents:

• Supervisor evaluation document.
• Reviewer evaluation document.

Report:

• LaTeX masters-doctoral-thesis template.
• Université de Lorraine logo.
• IDMC logo.

International Internship Mobility Assistance

Students enrolled in higher education in the Grand Est region may qualify for this financial aid to support study or internship mobility abroad.

Eligibility Criteria (as of 2024):

• Be enrolled in a higher education institution in the Grand Est region.
• Undertake an internship or study programme abroad, validated as part of the student’s degree.
• Meet the minimum duration requirements for international mobility under Grand Est regulations.
• Pay rent abroad throughout the mobility period.
• Receive less than €700 per month in remuneration or internship stipends during the mobility period.

Additional Aid:

• Students who are grant holders on social criteria receive an additional €200.
• Students completing their mobility in a border country of the Grand Est region (Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland) receive an additional €100.

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted online once the mobility dates and location have been confirmed and validated by all stakeholders. The application must be submitted no later than the first day of the mobility period.

• More information and application portal here.

The French grading system may differ significantly from systems used in other countries. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help navigate and interpret your grades.

In France, grades are awarded on a scale from 0 to 20, with 10/20 as the minimum passing score. In addition to numerical grades, final results may include "mentions" (distinctions) to indicate the level of achievement:

• Très Bien (TB): 16 → 20 (Very good)
• Bien (B): 14 → 15.9 (Good)
• Assez Bien (AB): 12 → 13.9 (Satisfactory)

These mentions appear on official transcripts and degrees, highlighting the quality of your academic performance.

To help international students interpret their grades, here are approximate equivalences with other academic grading systems:



These equivalences are general guidelines and may vary slightly depending on the institution.

To maintain a positive and professional academic environment, students are expected to adhere to the following policies:

• Attendance and Participation: Attendance is required for all classes, seminars, and forums. Absences must be justified with documentation (e.g., a medical certificate) and submitted to Karine WEISSE. Unjustified absences may result in penalties.
• Communication: Official communications from the programme will be sent via your university email. Students are responsible for regularly checking their inbox for updates and announcements.
• Academic Integrity: Plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic misconduct are strictly prohibited. Students must ensure all work submitted is their own or properly cited.
• Coursework Deadlines: All coursework must be submitted by the deadlines stated by each teacher. Extensions may be granted only in exceptional circumstances and with prior approval.