11 Best Universities In Lyon For International Students 2025

Lyon is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in France. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 11 universities and colleges in Lyon, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 11 universities in Lyon, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 and ENS Lyon are the top-performing schools in Lyon. This list covers both public and private institutions in Lyon.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Lyon. 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 Lyon.

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

Applying to the universities in Lyon 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 Lyon to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

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

Tuition fees at Lyon’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 12,100 Euros , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 243 Euros to 13,900 Euros. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Lyon!

As we cover the best universities in Lyon 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 Lyon for International Students

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.

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 Central School of 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. 

Jean Moulin University Lyon 3 offers career-oriented programs that will lead to the intellectual and personal development of the students. The university has numerous partnerships around the world, allowing students to participate in various scientific collaboration projects. It aims to provide a diverse and distinct learning environment where all community members get equal chances to prosper in life.

Lyon Catholic University is a private university that is known for its religious and theology courses. The Catholic university seeks to uplift the lives of others by providing quality education that is aligned with Catholic principles. It aims to widen the students’ minds by allowing them to explore science and discover the newest possible solutions to pressing societal problems.

Lumière University Lyon 2 is one of the three founding universities making up the University of Lyon. Specializing in different areas of social sciences, the university is dedicated to carrying out intensive research in different societal issues. International mobility is also highly promoted at the university. Lumière University Lyon 2 has over 300 international partner institutions for students to participate in internships and study abroad programs

VetAgro Sup is a university that specializes in the areas of engineering, agriculture, public health, and veterinary medicine. It offers two bachelor’s degrees and multiple master’s degrees that are accredited in the European Union and focus on global health in order to address the issues of today’s world. It also has partnerships with other French universities to broaden its academic offer and conducts research at different centers and clinics.

The Paris Higher Biotechnology Institute (Sup’Biotech) is a private engineering school in Lyon, France. It was founded in 2003 by the IONIS Education Group to provide middle management for the biotechnology industry. The institute offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biotechnology. Over 47 institutional partners and 12 internships are available at Sup’Biotech.

The Institut supérieur d’agriculture Rhône-Alpes, also known as ISARA, is an engineering school in Lyon, France. It was founded in 1968. ISARA excels in two areas: agroecology and sustainable food systems, and innovation and entrepreneurship. They provide training that leads to an Engineering diploma. Double degrees at the Master’s level are also available.

The École Catholique des Arts et Métiers (ECAM Lyon) is an engineering school located in Lyon, France. It began as a non-profit school in Reims in 1900 but was relocated to Lyon in 1946. The institute provides five engineering programs as well as a specialized Master’s degree program. ECAM’s goal as a member of the international network of Lasalliennes universities is to foster students’ intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual development.

EPITA School of Engineering and Computer Science is an educational institution that concentrates on giving high-quality education and training in the fields of engineering and computer science. It is complete with the essential equipment and resources to produce graduates who know how the current industry works. It aims to maintain a competitive and productive learning environment where students prosper and achieve their academic goals.