France offers various education options ranging from Grand Ecoles to Research Colleges and Universities. Most of the universities are ranked best law schools, business schools, colleges, and engineering schools, medical and nursing schools in the world.
If you are considering where to further or start your education, be well assured that studying in France is one of your best options for a Master’s, Bachelor’s, PhD or Associate degree. They can also propel you into attaining the jobs of your dreams.
France was Considered Europe’s second most popular place for postgraduate studies; they offer higher quality of education and provide accountability and proper means of education for both international and national students.
But what are the International rankings of colleges in France? Which colleges are considered the best university to study in?
This article gives you details about the best colleges in France, their history, international rankings and more.
Table of contents
Is Studying in France a Good Idea?
Yes, studying in France is a good idea because it comes with good university quality education and research facilities. They are also accommodating to international students and offer after studies opportunities worth going for.
Even as most of these universities are appropriate, it’s still advisable to know where they ranked in the worldwide academic ranking of universities, just to be certain.
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What College in France is considered the Best?
France has so many best universities that provide quality education for its student up to their undergraduate level. They also go further to give other degrees and certificates in Masters, Doctorate, and Associate programs.
Currently, Paris Sciences et Lettre- PSL Research University Paris is considered the best university in France. It’s a collegiate university comprising 25 research and higher education institutions in the Paris area and three national research colleges.
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What are the Hardest Universities to get into in France?
There are certain institutions that can seem impossible to get into in France; they actually require dedication, keen hard work, and the right mindset to get into.
These institutions are hard to get in because of their high acceptance rates and other requirements from them.
Some of these universities include Sorbonne University, American University of Paris, University of Paris XIII, University of Rouen Normandie, University of Nantes, University of Angers, University of Paris-South XI, and many others.
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Best Colleges in France
Sorbonne University
Sorbonne University is a public research and non-profit coeducational college in France with its motto: creators of future. This university has existed since 2018 because of the merger between Paris-Sorbonne University, Pierre et Marie Curie University and other smaller institutions.
It’s located in Paris with its legal status introduced in 2018. Sorbonne University is not just one of the best colleges in France but also one of the prestigious universities that are well recognized in England. Its main existence dated far back as 1257 when Sorbonne College was established by Robert de Sorbon.
The university was established as part of the Medieval University of Paris. As of 2024, the alumni and professors of this university have represented the university outstandingly and won 33 Nobel prizes, one Turing award and 6 field metals. The university is said to have over fifty-five thousand six hundred students (55,600).
Sorbonne University is ranked as one of the best universities in Europe. It gained it’s recognition after the university appeared 1st place in France and 29th place globally on the CWUR world university rankings in the year 2018- 2019.
2024 International ranking: 88
University Website: www.sorbonne-universite.fr/en
Paris-Saclay University
This is also a public research college located in Paris. It is the main centre for research and various training in Paris-Saclay. This university is part of the project: Paris-Saclay which is being developed near Paris, on the plateau de Saclay.
The project is a research intensive academic campus and business cluster project, providing the opportunity to promote and carry out more research. Paris-Saclay University is made up of several French leading colleges, faculties and research centres which are all part of the world’s best research organizations from different fields.
The university offers undergraduate, post graduate and Doctorate programs. University Paris-Saclay is known to produce distinguished mathematics scholar who have won a total of 12 medals.
In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) ranking, Paris-Saclay University was ranked 13th, in world ranking according to subjects, the university ranked 1st for mathematics, 9th for physics, 25th for medicine and agriculture.
2024 International ranking: 117
University Website: www.universite-paris-saclay.fr
University of Paris
The University of Paris is one of the public researches University of Paris in France. In 1970, university of Paris divided and as a result, two universities namely Paris Descartes (Paris v) and Paris Diderot merged to form the then known university of Paris.
This merging took place due to a degree on 20 march, 2019. Other institutions such as institute de physique and globe de Paris became part of the component of the institution. At Boulevard Saint-Germain, in the 6th arrondissement lies the university headquarter at the heart of Paris.
According to Times Higher Education, in 2024, university of Paris ranked 14th young university among the best colleges in France and worldwide and according to the Shanghai ranking, it ranked 65th. University of Paris has over 3,000 administrative staff, 4,500 academic staff and over 64,100 students.
2024 International ranking: 155
University Website: www.u-paris.fr
University of Aix-Marseille (AMU)
AMU is a public research college in France located in the Provence region of Southern France. The university was called the University of Provence when it was first established through the petition of Louis II of Anjou, count of Provence to the Pisan Antipope Alexander V.
The University of Aix-Marseille came to existence as a result of the merger among three different universities; university of Provence, Paul Cezanne university and the university of the Mediterranean. After the merging, the merger was not effective till 2012 thereby creating the largest university ever in the French speaking world, having about 80,000 students.
The University of Aix-Marseille has the largest budget of any academic institution in the French speaking world of about £750 million. The university has about 4,273 academic staff, over 4,107 administrative staff and 2,448 doctoral students.
The university comprises of five main campuses located in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille and headquarter located at the Pharo, Marseille. Also, AMU owns and operates other facilities in areas such as the Arles, Aubagne, Avignon, Digne-les-Bains, Gap, La Ciotat, Lambesc and Salon-de-Provence.
The university has lots of teaching, research partnerships and close collaborations with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
2024 International ranking: 301
University Website: www.univ-amu.fr
University of Montpellier
Regarded as one of the best colleges in France; this public research university is located in Montpellier, south east of France. It is one of the oldest universities in the world established in 1220(802 years ago). The university has over 41,000 students, 1,900 academic staff and 1,700 doctoral students.
In 1970, university of Montpellier was split into three universities; University of Montpellier 1, University of Montpellier 2 and Paul Valery University of Montpellier 3. In 2015, the University of Montpellier 1 and the University of Montpellier 2 merged back together to form the University of Montpellier while the third university (Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3) remained a separate university.
2024 International ranking: 301
University Website: www.umontpellier.fr
University of Strasbourg
University of Strasbourg is located in Strasbourg, Alsace; France.it is among the best public research colleges in France with over 52,000 students, 2,265 doctoral students and 3,300 researchers.
The university of Strasbourg was established on 1st January 2009, as a result of the merging of three other universities; Louis Pasteur University, Marc Bloch University and Robert Schuman University. Strasbourg University is ranked the best in the League of European Research Universities with as many as two fields medal winners and 19 Nobel laureates.
2024 International ranking: 501
University Website: www.unistra.fr
University of Bordeaux
The University of Bordeaux is a public university founded in June, 1441 in France. It was newly established in January, 2014 following the merger of three universities.
The university was one of the first universities in France that obtained the confirmation of the “initiative of excellence” label in 2016 awarded by the government in recognition of the university’s innovative academic transformation. The university goes by the motto: sit lumine illustrant millennii and constitutes the community of universities and higher education institutions of Aquitaine.
It is one of the two universities with Bordeaux Montaigne University. The university has over 54,000 students and 4,000 academic staff. The university is ranked among the top colleges in France due to its high quality of academic courses and research.
2024 International ranking: 301
University Website: www.u-bordeaux,com/index.html
Paris Sciences et Lettres University
PSL Research University is a public research university in central Paris established in 2010 but formally made a university in 2019. This university is a collegiate university having 11 constituent schools with its main sites at the Jourdan campus, Pourte Dauphine, Carre Richelieu and in the Latin Quarter.
PSL offers awards on Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD diplomas for its constituent’s institutes. The university has over 17,000 students and 2,900 academic staff.
In 2024, PSL university ranked 38th globally by the rankings of the academic ranking of world university, 44th by QS world university rankings and 46th by the times higher education world university rankings. The university majors in Science, Engineering, Fine art, Performing arts, Humanities and Social sciences.
2024 International ranking: 201
University Website: www.psl.eu/en
University of Lille (U Lille)
U Lille is a pluri-disciplinary public university situated in Lille, Hauts-de-France. The University of Lille originated from the University of Douai in 1559.
In 2018, three universities namely Lille 1 University of Science and Technology, Lille 2 University of health and law, and Charles de Gaulle university-Lille 3; merged and that resulted in the formation of the University of Lille.
The University of Lille is one of the largest French-speaking colleges in France and worldwide with over 74,000 students. The university has 3,300 academic staff, 6,700 administrative staff, and over 1,800 doctoral students.
The university is one of the major constituents of the Community of Universities and Institutions (COMUE) Lille Nord de France. The university has 66 research labs that are well equipped to perform any research analysis.
Also, the university supports about 350 PhD per year and 3,000 scientific publications. The French government labeled as an initiative for science innovation territories economy the college in 2017.
2024 International ranking: 501
University Website: https://www.univ-lille.fr
Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon/ENSL)
This university is a Grand Ecole located in the City of Lyon. It is one of the four prestigious Ecoles Normales Superieures colleges in France established in 1880 but became recognized properly in 2010.
The school is made up of arts and science academic units with its campus located in Lyon. The college goes by the motto: education through research, for research. Students from this university are privileged to enjoy a special civil servant status in the wake of any highly competitive examinations, only if they pursue careers in public service.
In 2016, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked ENSL as the 5th best small university in the world.
2024 International ranking: 301
University Website: www.ens-lyon.eu
Advantages of Studying in France
France is known for its stunning architecture, tourist destination, beautiful cities, and most of the world-class universities. The country has an education structure that seems attractive to students from around the world especially Indian students and an education system that’s affordable.
Below are a few advantages of studying in France for both international and national students:
1. Society
In France, there’s a multicultural society with a mix of all major nationalities. Being in the midst of these different individuals with different thought patterns can expose you to certain aspects, thought patterns, and ideas on people.
In all, you get to learn quite a lot from this set of persons by your interaction and involvement with them.
Affordable and Quality Education
Of course, it’s nothing new that France provides quality and affordable world-class education for aviation, management, engineering, business, tourism, and many more.
They have the main focus of enhancing their education system and this has made them outstanding and attractive to be considered an option by most students.
Emphasis on Research and Development
France stands out as having one of the best research and development institutions.
They invest quite a lot in developing their institutions to that aspect and gained a top rank in the recent world’s best research universities.
Courses
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON THE 10 BEST COLLEGES IN FRANCE
Yes, there are public student housing called Cities U, these are dorms made available for French students and international students.
Most of the degrees are considered best to study but a top degree to study is management. This degree has various fields such as Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management, Project Management and General Management.
Student dorm accommodation prices in France ranges from 200-400 EUR per month depending on your location of study.
Depending on the level of education, tuition fees in France can be relatively low when compared to that of most countries.
France has some of the world’s prestigious colleges; above are few of the listed ones to look into.
Conclusion
France is a beautiful and attractive city for business, tourism, education, and more. This prosperous city tends to offer the best, quality, and affordable education to students from across the world.
Above is a list of the 10 best colleges in France any student can apply following their requirements and procedure and expect to gain knowledge, skills and improve their thought patterns as they advance in life.
References
- Paris-Saclay University
- University of Bordeaux
- Advantages of Studying in France
- Ranking countries in France
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