23 Best Public Universities in Paris
Paris is one of the cities in France you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Paris can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.
There are 44 universities you can find in Paris, and 23 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes Paris a great place for international students.
In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Paris, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!
Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Paris?
Absolutely! International students in public universities in Paris can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.
As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Some public universities in Paris charge no tuition fees to international students, while others charge up to 16,800 Euros.
Public Universities in Paris
1. Sorbonne University
Located in Paris, Sorbonne University is a top-performing research institution in France. They have been globally recognized for their engineering and science programs as they produce excellent graduates in the field. More than that, they have a huge contribution to academic research in France and Europe.
2. École Normale Supérieure
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.
3. Paris Cité University
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.
4. Paris Institute of Political Studies
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.
5. Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University
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.
6. École Polytechnique
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.
7. MINES ParisTech
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.
8. Paris Dauphine University
Paris Dauphine University maintains a multidisciplinary score of action and productive faculty, allowing students to indulge in high-quality education. Its comprehensive educational curriculum paired with intensive supervision enables student researchers to develop socio-economic projects. It aims to provide an environment where students worldwide can feel a sense of belongingness and enjoy shared values with intellectual co-learners.
9. AgroParisTech
The Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences, or simply AgroParisTech is one of the public universities in France. Founded in 2007, the university offers degree programs in Agronomy, Life Sciences, and Engineering. It is home to around 2,300 students, with 16% international enrollment.
10. ESPCI Paris – PSL
ESPCI Paris – PSL is an elite institution that has been in the education industry since 1882. This research center is part of the PSL University (Paris Sciences et Lettres University), and together both institutions provide exemplary academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. The institute is an active contributor to the PSL’s curriculum, particularly in the fields of physics and chemistry. Moreover, ESPCI Paris is internationally recognized for its significant contributions to the innovation industry. It leads in scientific excellence that has attracted many renowned scientists and innovators.
11. Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas University
Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas University maintains a diverse learning environment and aims to cultivate a curriculum that merges instruction, research, and application. It seeks to strengthen its international reputation and hopes to train more students that are passionate about innovation. The university is known for its science and economics courses, especially its well-adept faculty and staff.
12. Télécom Paris
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.
13. New Sorbonne University – Paris III
The New Sorbonne University – Paris III is an institution that aims to assure each student’s success in their future careers. It specializes in the area of arts and humanities and is especially known for its vast offer of programs in language sciences and cultural studies. It has both historical and modern buildings throughout the city of Paris, which include a network of six libraries and a language research center.
14. Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology
Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology is an internationally renowned institution that specializes in engineering and technology and is committed to training excellent professionals that will make important breakthroughs in the future. It has 8 campuses throughout France, 15 research laboratories, and 2 institutes that conduct studies related to the environment and virtual reality. This university focuses on giving students enough work experience in order to prepare them for the challenges of their careers. That’s why all programs have two mandatory internships, and different work fairs are regularly held with business partners. It also has an incubator where professionals support and help develop the student’s entrepreneurial projects.
15. Chimie ParisTech
The École nationale supérieure de chimie de Paris, also known as Chimie ParisTech, is an engineering school located in Paris, France. It was established in 1896 by chemist Charles Friedel and is now one of France’s most prestigious and selective chemical engineering colleges. The institution offers an engineering cycle program as well as Master of Science and Technology degrees.
16. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences
School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences seeks to disseminate scientific work through partnering with other international institutions. It also participates in various academic exchanges in order to expose students to diverse perspectives and industry work. Over the years, the institution has been successful in maintaining its excellent reputation and continues to attract students from all over the world.
17. Sorbonne Paris North University
Sorbonne Paris North University is a public university dedicated to providing world-class education and research to enhance society’s cultural, professional, and scientific knowledge. It was established in 1970 as one of the 13 independent universities that succeeded the University of Paris. Several international opportunities are available for students at Sorbonne Paris North University through internships and exchange programs in one of the 450 partner institutions around the world.
18. Paris 8 University Vincennes-Saint-Denis
Paris 8 University Vincennes-Saint-Denis was created with the intention of offering high-quality education to a diverse student population and promoting the development of research projects that would help society. The university is divided into 11 faculties that offer over 150 degree options and have modern facilities that include 33 research units and 3 academic institutes. Paris 8 is especially known for its programs in humanities and social sciences, like the unique bachelor’s degree in political science, and for the studies done in its French Institute of Geopolitics.
19. National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations
The National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) is a public university in Paris, France that specializes in teaching languages and cultures from around the world. It was founded in 1669 by French statesman Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Undergraduate and graduate programs in language, civilization studies, and other related professional specializations are available at the institute.
20. Engineering School of the City of Paris
Founded in 1959 to enlighten the junior civil servants for the City of Paris, EIVP nowadays also illuminates young professionals in the private sector. They must deal with the educational disciplines linked to cities: building, urbanism, transportation, and surroundings. EIVP students are picked through an exacting, highly competitive process and are exceptionally well-trained students who join the school every year.
21. National School of Geographic Sciences
The National School of Geographic Sciences is a specialized institution that belongs to France’s Institute of Geography and Forestry. It offers degree programs in all levels of higher education in collaboration with an extensive network of French and international universities. This school is famous for its five research laboratories that develop projects in areas like image processing, geodesy, and forestry.
22. CESI Graduate School of Engineering
CESI Graduate School of Engineering is considered one of the best schools in the country that specializes in engineering courses. The institution is equipped with the necessary tools and resources to help students possess the skills needed for the current industry state. More than its strong foreign relations, the school ensures that they only teach relevant information in order to make students up-to-date with the recent changes in the industry.
23. Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication
The Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication (ISIT) is located in Paris, France. It began as an association in 1957. Intercultural Management, Digital Design, and Translation are among the programs available at the institute. ISIT seeks to train intercultural professionals who are fluent in at least three languages, specifically in English and French.
I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Paris. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.