Going to college is a prestigious life event for most people. It is a step to further your education and establish your chosen field of knowledge. If you’re looking for a top-notch education institution, you can find some of the best universities in France. France is one of the most popular countries among foreign students because it has several top-ranked universities.
We will give you a list of the best schools in France and some helpful information about these schools. Learn how France schools ranked in the world in our top 10 overviews. France has many public and private universities with a strong international reputation.
What Attracts Students to Universities in France?
Europe has always been a top destination for international students. Aside from its picturesque views, countries like France boast some of the oldest and most well-established educational institutions in the world. Apart from the French universities’ renowned academic standards, many international students report that France’s diverse and rich culture provides a holistic and unique study experience.
Numerous French institutions continue to thrive in the global ranking for the best universities globally. Thousands of international students look for a public institution or prestigious university that provides high-quality education. According to Statista, 8,529 American students studied abroad in France during the 2019/20 school year.
France Schools Ranked: An Overview
| FranceRank | World Rank on Times Higher Education | World Rank on US News | Institution |
| 1 | 40 | N/A | Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris |
| 2 | 88 | 46 | Sorbonne University |
| 3 | 91 | N/A | Polytechnique University of Paris |
| 4 | 117 | 60 | Université Paris-Saclay |
| 5 | 155 | 67 | The University of Paris |
| 6 | 251-300 | 817 | École des Ponts ParisTech |
| 7 | 301-350 | 180 | Aix-Marseille University |
| 8 | 301-350 | 274 | The University of Bordeaux |
| 9 | 301-350 | 541 | Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon |
| 10 | 301-350 | 192 | Montpellier University |
The Best Universities in France, Explained
Europe is home to some of the oldest universities globally. The reputation of universities in France is strong worldwide and some of these institutions produce notable people in social science, political science, business studies, natural sciences, medicine, and physical sciences. Some of the top universities in this list of the best schools in France produced the likes of Marie Curie and former president Adolphe Thiers.
1. Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris
- Campus Location: Paris
- Acceptance Rate: No information found
- Graduation Rate: No information found
- US News Country Rank: N/A
The Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris is one of France’s most famous universities. This public university is located right at the center of Paris and is a public research university specializing in cultural studies and physical sciences. The PSL Research University Paris has over 20,500 students, 25 percent of which are international students.
2. Sorbonne University
- Campus Location: Paris
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: No information found
- US News Country Rank: #46
Sorbonne University is a popular study destination for students with an interest in the field of humanities. The academic institution is also recognized for its focus on research. The University of Sorbonne has a close partnership with Public Scientific and Technological Establishments (EPST) that contribute significantly to producing scientific papers and their impact through citations.
Paris-Sorbonne University has a very strong academic reputation. Its very close to the city center and has been around since the 13th century, making it popular among incoming students who are excited to experience Parisian culture.
3. Polytechnique University of Paris
- Campus Location: Paris
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- Graduation Rate: No information found
- US News Country Rank: N/A
Also referred to as Ecole Polytechnique, the Polytechnique University of Paris is one of the country’s leading universities of technology and science. The university offers a Bachelor of Science that leads toward one of its three double majors. These specializations are degrees in mathematics and physics, mathematics and computer science, and mathematics and economics.
4. Université Paris-Saclay
- Campus Locations: Paris, Every, Versailles, Orsay
- Acceptance Rate: No information found
- Graduation Rate: No information found
- US News Country Rank: #60
The Paris-Saclay University has several campuses located in Paris, Every, Versailles, and Orsay. The university offers multidisciplinary courses, but it is primarily known for its mathematical academic education.
Although most of its undergraduate degrees are in French, the Paris-Saclay University teaches in English for many of its masters and doctoral degrees. This school is a strong choice if you are hoping to get a French education.
5. The University of Paris
- Campus Location: Paris
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Graduation Rate: No information found
- US News Country Rank: #67
The University of Paris is a newly established academic institution. The Université De Paris resulted from a merge between several older education establishments, including the Paris Descartes University, Paris Diderot University, and the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris. Located in the bustling city of Paris, the university offers high-quality education across a wide range and bodies of knowledge.
6. École des Ponts ParisTech
- Campus Location: Paris
- Acceptance Rate: No information found
- Graduation Rate: No information found
- US News Country Rank: #817
Colloquially referred to as Ponts, the Ecole des Ponts ParisTech is another prestigious university of technology and science. Dating as far back as the 1700s, the Ponts have a long history of teaching French students a blend of mathematics, physics, and engineering courses. This is a prestigious institution with strong academic programs.
7. Aix-Marseille University
- Campus Location: Marseille
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 57% Bachelor’s; 83% Master’s
- US News Country Rank: #180
Located in the quaint French city of Provence, the Aix-Marseille University dates as far back as the 1400s. Founded by the Pisan Antipope Alexander V, the historic school now consists of the merged University of the Mediterranean, the University of Provence, and the Paul Cezanne University. The Aix-Marseille University is considered the largest university in population, with over 10,000 international students.
8. The University of Bordeaux
- Campus Location: Bordeaux
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 82% Bachelor’s; 74% Master’s
- US News Country Rank: #274
The University of Bordeaux is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary university with a wide range of academic courses. It has been recognized as a French center of excellence for various fields of knowledge. It has been designated as one of the pioneer universities that will develop unique and innovative educational, training, and research programs.
9. Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon
- Campus Location: Lyon
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Graduation Rate: No information found
- US News Country Rank: #541
Simply referred to as the ENS Lyon, this university is renowned for its research and development education and training. Students of the ENS Lyon are directly recruited from secondary schools in France, while some go through rigorous entrance examinations. Some of its most notable graduates include the likes of Jean-Paul Sartre and Louis Pasteur.
10. Montpellier University
- Campus Location: Montpellier
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Graduation Rate: 81% Master’s
- US News Country Rank: #192
The University of Montpellier is a nationally recognized school that offers a variety of undergraduate degrees. It is an excellent choice for students looking for a medical school, law school, or business school. The University of Montpellier was established in the late 1200s and is one of the oldest educational institutions in the world. The university is primarily known for its expertise in tech and science research.
How We Created Our List of the Best Schools in France
In order to create our list, we followed the Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings. This ranking was created by evaluating teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry outcomes of over 1,600 institutions from around the world. Complementary information was retrieved from the US News Best National University Rankings.
Is a Top University in France Right for You?
The best universities in France can provide a unique multidisciplinary educational experience for international students. If you are already traveling across the globe to receive a high-quality education, choose one of the France schools ranked in the Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings or the US News Best National University Rankings.
Best Universities in France FAQs
It is not necessary to learn French in order to study in France. However, it would be helpful to learn even basic phrases so that it’s easier to communicate with French locals while you live in France for a period of time.
Many consider the Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) the most prestigious postgraduate degree since France is the first European country to offer this course. French universities are globally recognized for providing high-quality education.
It depends on the university. The acceptance rate for international students in France varies from one university to another. However, the application requirements to get into the country to study are more considerate than other countries. France, like the US, has several colleges that are hard to get into.
Although the French population is not particularly fluent in English, several universities offer English-taught courses, especially for their postgraduate degrees. Some of the best English-taught universities in France include Sorbonne University, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, and the PSL Research University Paris.
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