25 Best Universities In France For International Students 2025

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 230 universities and colleges in France, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 230 universities in France, Paris-Saclay University and Paris Cité University 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 0 Euros to 32,800 Euros , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 Euros to 68,000 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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. 

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. 

ENSTA Bretagne is a graduate and postgraduate school that offers courses that rely on the science and technology field. The school offers state-of-the-art laboratories and training centers that assist the students’ undertaking and learning process. It seeks to maintain a learning environment where everyone gets the opportunity to achieve their dreams with proper supervision from the faculty and with good quality education.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

The University of Nantes is located in the city of Nantes 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. 

Paul Sabatier University, commonly known as Toulouse III, is a high-ranking university that offers courses in engineering, physics, and chemistry, among others. The university is known for its exceptional research facilities that enhance the students’ curiosity and critical thinking. It also partners with various educational institutions and participates in exchange programs, allowing students to explore the world through academic excellence.

The École Supérieure des Sciences Économiques et Commerciales, or commonly referred to as ESSEC Business School, is a private university in France. It was founded in 1907 and has since built campuses in Morrocco and Singapore. More than half of the student population at the university are international students.

Télécom Paris is an institution that specializes in scientific and technological education. Its main objective is to train professionals that will develop high-quality solutions that will serve the economy while being aware of their communities and the environment. Its education model focuses on being both multidisciplinary and specialized. This is done through a 1st-year core curriculum that includes a broad scope of subjects, including sciences and humanities, and a highly specialized 2nd and 3rd-year curriculum. Research is also fundamental, which is why it has multiple laboratories that carry out studies in data science, applied mathematics, networks, etc.

EURECOM is an institution specializing in engineering that has an international approach. It offers engineering and master’s degrees fully taught in English by French and international specialists. Besides classes, students can partake in research projects, which are done in three main areas of digital sciences. The university also prioritizes hands-on learning, which is why some programs have one or two mandatory internships, along with a mandatory study abroad semester.

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.

MINES ParisTech is a graduate school that is dedicated to training students with passion in the science and technology field. It is known for its research-intensive engineering programs that are being taught using work-based learning approaches. The institution has over 15 research centers that aid the students’ curiosity and innovative skills.

The University of Poitiers is a public institution for higher education internationally recognized for its excellent education and high-quality research. Established nearly 600 years ago, the university aims to provide education that is accessible to everyone and offers courses to people of all ages, social classes, and employment statuses. The university is also well-known for promoting inclusivity and its warm welcome toward international students and researchers.