Spine fellowships in France

Funding: Tuition is applicant-specific and published through the continuing-education registration process.

Exposure: Multicentre education covering degenerative disease, tumours, infection, trauma, deformity, cervical pathology and complications across French partner universities.

Eligibility: Surgical specialty residents (general surgery DES; orthopaedics and trauma, paediatric surgery or neurosurgery DESC) and holders of equivalent diplomas; orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons holding the French state Doctor of Medicine degree or one from an EU country.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Positions · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Fees · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents · Accreditation

Source: Official Aix-Marseille University programme page. Reviewed 14 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: Tuition is programme-specific and must be confirmed during registration.

Exposure: Multidisciplinary advanced education across diagnostic and medical-surgical management of spinal cord disorders.

Eligibility: Open to holders of a French or foreign diploma; applicants must be doctors or interns in neurosurgery, orthopedics, neurology, PM&R or radiology

Still to confirm: Funding · Current status · Positions · Training level · Medical registration · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Insurance · Accommodation · Accreditation

Source: Official Université Paris-Saclay programme page. Reviewed 15 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: The official page does not publish funding or salary details.

Exposure: Six 21-hour seminars rotating between Paris, Lille, Bordeaux/Rennes, Lyon, Marseille/Nice and Strasbourg, a revision-surgery module, five cadaver practical sessions, a mandatory 40-hour placement in an approved unit and a dissertation.

Eligibility: Continuing-education route requires a French or EU medical doctorate; DFMSA trainees and holders of recognised equivalent diplomas may also enrol.

Still to confirm: Current status · Medical registration · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Insurance · Accommodation

Source: Official Université Lyon 1 programme page. Reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Application status: The published regulations include a 2024–2025 timetable, not a confirmed 2026–2027 intake. Ask the university for current dates and fees.

Funding: Fees: €700/year (initial training); €1,000/year (unfunded continuing education); €1,200/year (funded continuing education), plus university registration fees.

Exposure: 20 hours of theory and 40 hours of compulsory hands-on simulation training at the DETERCA surgical school (percutaneous, mini-open, uni- and biportal endoscopy, navigation, enhanced recovery) plus a 7-hour observation day in the operating theatre; assessment by continuous evaluation, dissertation and practical exam on anatomical specimens.

Eligibility: Surgical specialty residents (internes), chefs de clinique assistants and orthopaedic surgeons or neurosurgeons in training or fully qualified, with authorisation of the responsible professor.

Still to confirm: Current status · Deadline · International eligibility · Medical registration · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Fees · Insurance · Accommodation

Source: Official Bordeaux DU regulations, version 9-1 (updated 28 November 2024). Reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: Specific training fees €2,000 plus national university (master-level) registration fees.

Exposure: 72 hours of in-person teaching in four regional sessions at partner universities, 24 hours of videoconference, 20 hours of practical training and 20 hours of recorded e-learning on transforaminal and interlaminar endoscopic approaches, imaging and endoscopic instrumentation.

Eligibility: Continuing education: orthopaedic surgeons or neurosurgeons with a particular interest in spine surgery. Initial training: orthopaedic or neurosurgery residents who have validated at least 8 semesters of the specialty.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Participation level · Training level · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents · Accreditation

Source: Official Université de Strasbourg course catalogue page. Reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Application status: The 2027 AO Spine call is closed. Applications for the 2028 programme are scheduled for April–May 2027; exact days are not published.

Funding: AO Spine pays a small stipend towards accommodation and living costs (benchmark USD 550 per week in the United States, adjusted for local price levels); travel and insurance are paid by the fellow. The host lists a EUR 500 administration fee covering hospital registration, licences, research approval and dedicated teaching.

Exposure: Department of Neurosurgery: about 1,500 surgical cases per year and 145 beds; techniques include standard open, endoscopic, robotic, minimally invasive, anterior, navigated, intradural, thoracoscopic and pain-management surgery across degenerative, trauma, oncology, deformity and infection cases.

Eligibility: This host participates in AO Spine's global short-term international scheme for spine physicians or specialists in orthopaedics, neurosurgery or trauma surgery. Applicants must be 45 or younger, have at least two years of AO Spine membership and prior participation in an AO course/event, and have had no spine fellowship in the preceding two years except self-funded training. Selection does not grant medical registration, visa approval or permission to scrub in; host requirements apply separately.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Positions · Training level · Medical registration · Examinations · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Fees · Application documents

Source: Official AO Spine host-centre profile. Reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Application status: The 2027 AO Spine call is closed. Applications for the 2028 programme are scheduled for April–May 2027; exact days are not published.

Funding: AO Spine pays a small stipend as a contribution toward travel, accommodation and meals; travel and insurance costs must be covered by the fellow and AO Spine does not arrange accommodation.

Exposure: Open, endoscopic, minimally invasive and anterior spinal surgery with navigation; weekly spinal oncology, daily trauma and monthly complex-case meetings.

Eligibility: This host participates in AO Spine's global short-term international scheme for spine physicians or specialists in orthopaedics, neurosurgery or trauma surgery. Applicants must be 45 or younger, have at least two years of AO Spine membership and prior participation in an AO course/event, and have had no spine fellowship in the preceding two years except self-funded training. Selection does not grant medical registration, visa approval or permission to scrub in; host requirements apply separately.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Positions · Participation level · Training level · Medical registration · Examinations · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Fees · Accreditation

Source: Official AO Spine fellowship host-centre page (AO Foundation). Reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.