25 Best Universities In France For International Students 2026

If you are looking to study in France, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 223 universities and colleges in France, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 223 universities in France, Paris Cité University and Sciences Po are the top-performing schools in France. This list covers both public and private institutions in France.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in France. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in France.

How do I get admission to the best universities in France?

Applying to the universities in France involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in France to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in France?

Tuition fees at France’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 170 Euros to 38,100 Euros , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 Euros to 57,900 Euros. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in France!

As we cover the best universities in France for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in France for International Students

Paris Cité University is an educational organization that is in pursuit of academic excellence. It aims to maintain its reputation of being a catalyst of change through its ambitious and comprehensive educational offerings. The university has various research sites and advanced educational tools to aid the students as they strive to become experts someday.

The Sciences Po, also known as the Paris Institute of Political Studies, is a public research university offering degrees in social sciences and humanities. The university strives to help students, as future leaders of society, have a deeper understanding of different social phenomena and find out ways to make society better. Students at the university are given several opportunities to learn in an international environment through internships and exchange programs. 

Also known as École Centrale de Nantes, Centrale Nantes specializes in scientific and engineering education. It strives to train professionals who will apply their knowledge and abilities to better society and solve environmental issues. Its programs focus on providing international experience and fostering innovation. The former is done through cooperation programs with other countries and mandatory international internships; the latter is encouraged in their research centers and in the Business Incubator, which is a space where student startup projects are supported, developed, and improved.

The Paris-Saclay University is one of the highest-ranking academic institutions in the world. It offers excellent degree programs at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. levels. The university also has a strong reputation for research excellence and houses 275 of the best laboratories in the country.

Université Grenoble Alpes is a reliable institution if you want to pursue a career in engineering and development. The school has numerous engineering programs that are all open to both French and international students. It aims to maintain students’ productivity and research activity by investing in advanced equipment and resources.

ENS Lyon is a small public university in the city of Lyon, France, which ranks among the top academic institutions in the country. The university believes in the importance of research in providing high-quality education. ENS Lyon also has a vast international network of universities, companies, and research institutions to encourage student and faculty mobility and participate in collaborative research projects. 

The University of Bordeaux is among the prestigious public universities in France. Founded in 1444, the university has built several campuses in six cities. With more than 56,000 students, it’s also one of the largest in the country by total enrollment.

The University of Lille, or Université de Lille in French, is one of the top public universities in France. The university was established in 1896, though its origins can be traced back to 1559 through the former University of Douai. At present, the university has more than 72,000 total enrollment, hosting over 9,500 international students.

Founded in 1538, the University of Strasbourg is a public research institution that houses more than 56,000 local and international students. This institution is highly recognized for its wide range of academic programs in undergraduate and graduate degrees. They take pride in having different research units for various academic fields as they contribute to the development of science.

In 2020, the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and the community of establishments that make up Côte d’Azur University merged together and became a single university. The Côte d’Azur University is called an experimental university because of its innovative approach to education and research. The university is also internationally recognized as one of the top 10 research universities in France.

Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 is an expert when it comes to courses related to physics, chemistry, and mathematics, among others. The university is known for its exceptional research activities, which is why it has gained a lot of active international applicants in its exchange program. It is committed to supporting and creating a learning environment where respect flourishes and students can freely advocate for their passion for education.

Founded more than six centuries ago, Grenoble Alpes University has been traditionally known for its programs in the scientific field, but programs in humanities have recently been positioned among the best ones in France. The university has multiple campuses all over Grenoble, with a unique architecture that mixes modern and historical buildings, along with state-of-the-art academic facilities that include a tramway, a university hospital, and an observatory. One of the main objectives of the university is to address social needs through breakthroughs made in its research institutes and laboratories, as well as training professionals that are ready to solve the future problems of our world.

The Marie and Louis Pasteur University is a well-known university that is located at the heart of the city. The university is best for students that are looking for comprehensive educational training since its curriculum highlights practical experience. The Marie and Louis Pasteur University aims to continue its legacy and welcome more international students by upholding its student-friendly principles.

The National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon is a research university that heavily focuses on engineering programs. Its campus is equipped with advanced resources and equipment that support the students’ curiosity and intelligent minds. It aims to widen its foreign relations and connect with more educational institutions through innovation, academic exchange programs, and conventions.

The Aix-Marseille University is one of the oldest universities in France. It offers excellent programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and has produced several notable graduates in the fields of law, science, and arts. The university offers programs in both English and French language, making it a top choice for many international students.

The University of Lorraine is a top-ranked university that offers intensive research education in scientific disciplines. With its dedicated faculty and staff, the university has actively involved its students in the creation of technological innovations that will benefit community stakeholders. Its campuses are full of structured research units and facilities that operate regularly in fulfillment of the student’s educational endeavors.

École Normale Supérieure in Paris is at the forefront of providing breakthrough innovations that will help the community to prosper in the coming years. The institution has strong relations with numerous enterprises and industry leaders, allowing it to invest significantly in research and development. It seeks to train intelligent students with a passion for science and technology.

The Nantes Université is located in the city of Nantes and ranks among the top 25 universities in France. The university provides over 200 interdisciplinary programs that encourage students to get involved in conducting research and to participate in activities and projects that would expose them to different social realities. The university aims to create a positive impact on society and tackle different social issues. 

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University is known for being the main university in the areas of humanities and social sciences in France, not only for its wide variety of programs but also for its outstanding research performance. In fact, research is one of its main focal points, which is why it has 37 research teams and multiple institutes that specialize in areas like demography, labor, geography, and social development. The university is also known for the importance it gives to international collaborations. It has a large international student population, 150 partnerships with universities abroad, and dozens of foreign professors and researchers.

École Polytechnique is among the five prestigious academic institutions in Paris, France that constitute the Polytechnic Institute of Paris. École Polytechnique is well-known for its modern facilities, competitive research, and world-class education in different fields of science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. The university also provides courses that enhance students’ core skills to make them well-rounded individuals that are sought after by employers around the world.

The University of Montpellier was established in 1220 and is the 6th largest university in France. It is also known as one of Europe’s oldest yet most innovative universities and, in over 8 centuries of operation, has produced numerous notable alumni who became influential in different fields such as philosophy, politics, medicine, mathematics, and literature. With over 50,000 students, the university actively participates in the Erasmus+ program and other inter-university collaborations that would allow its students to gain international exposure and experience. 

Paris Nanterre University is the only university in the region to offer degree programs in all human and social sciences. It provides its students with an innovative educational approach in order to master their skills and knowledge in the said field. Although known for its human and social sciences programs, the university also has business and economics courses, signifying its flexible and comprehensive academic offerings.

University of Tours is an expert when it comes to science and technology courses. The university has over 36 research laboratories, allowing students to deepen their experience and contribute innovatively to the community. University of Tours is considered a leading research institution in the region and is distinguished by the richness and diversity of its culture.

The École Centrale de Lyon is a public institution in Lyon, France committed to provide strong theoretical, technical, and practical knowledge in different areas of science and engineering. Several internships, laboratory work, research work, industry projects, as well as courses in social sciences are integrated into the university’s programs to make students well-rounded and adaptable individuals when they enter the professional world. The university also has numerous collaborative partnerships with several businesses and universities from around the world. 

The University of Clermont Auvergne was recently created after merging two former higher education institutions to meet the educational needs of the region and train students that would be prepared to face the challenges of the future. It has six campuses throughout Auvergne, as well as multiple academic and research buildings that include six institutes, three research federations, and 38 laboratories. Non-academic activities are an important part of life in this university since its Cultural Service organizes different events like film festivals and artistic competitions.