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Top Ranked Universities In France: Gateways to Endless Opportunities

Top Ranked Universities In France: Gateways to Endless Opportunities

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The articles lists the best universities in France for international students, specifically for STEM & MBA courses. Read on to know all about the top ranked.

GyanDhan
Yogender Panchal
Updated on:  22 Sep 2023  | Reviewed By: 
Aman 
| 5.01K | 8  min read

Top 10 Universities in France for International Students

If you are planning to study abroad then France must be on the list of preferred countries. There is a reason for it as it is not only the cradle of modern civilisation but also the seeds of modern education were sown by the French. The top ranked universities in France provide excellent education with world-class research facilities for students from different disciplines. The educational institutions in France adopt English as the medium of instruction for the majority of courses. So, an international student can easily adapt in France and get access to one of the best teaching facilities globally. The best thing about studying in France is about getting access to the EU. You will get ample opportunities to move cars to Europe for research, study tours, visiting universities, and a lot of other benefits.


If you are planning to study in France you must know the details about the top universities, and which one will suit you as per your financial, academic, and other conditions. The universities which we are mentioning over here are the top universities in France, and most preferred by international students. Here is the complete list of top universities in France which the students should consider, and these universities are ranked as per their position in the latest QS World University Rankings 2022.

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Université PSL

The Université PSL is located in Paris, and it is one of the youngest universities. The university is ranked 44th globally, and first in the list of top universities in France. The university, despite being one of the youngest universities in France, has excellent academic facilities. The university is known for the interdisciplinary studies that it provides. Students are allowed to mix subjects that they wish to study so that they can bring a new perspective to their education. The class size in the university is kept small to maintain the highest standard of education so that you don’t feel like being lost in the crowd. 

The university has 140 laboratories, artist workshops, Fab Labs and incubators that gives you the space to incubate new ideas into next-generation fortune companies. The university attracts 17,000 students and 2,900 researchers globally to bring new ideas, and perspectives into its research ecosystem. The academia-industry interface will help you in building networks right at the time of your studies. And to top it all, the university is located in Paris which itself is a big reason to choose this university as you will see the best nightlife, French cultural ethos, great museums, and a lot of other attractions. 

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Institut Polytechnique de Paris

The Institut Polytechnique de Paris is one of the finest institutions in the world and the second-best in France for science and technology. It is ranked 49th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2022, and second-best in France. It has five engineering schools; École Polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris, Télécom SudParis. You need to qualify through a very competitive process to secure admission to Institut Polytechnique de Paris. It has one of the most renowned pools of faculty that ensures world-class education with great research opportunities. Being located at the centre of one of the world's top eight innovation hubs you will get ample internship opportunities, industry visits, leadership summits, and a lot of other interactions with the world’s top industrial bodies. The university actively collaborates with the world’s most advanced labs, universities across the globe to help you widen your point of view. 

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Sorbonne University

The Sorbonne University was created on 1 January 2018, by the merger of the Paris-Sorbonne University and Pierre and Marie Curie University. It is a public university and part of the “League Of European Research University” which has member universities like Oxford and Cambridge. There are three faculties within the university. Fields of arts and humanities, science and engineering, and medicine are the faculties present in the university. The university has more than 50,000 students, and 20% of them are international students. The university has more than 3,400 teaching staff that helps students in research and academics. Sorbonne University actively takes part in international collaborations on climate change, sustainable energy projects, and other areas of global and national importance. 

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Université Paris-Saclay

The Université Paris-Saclay offers a wide range of courses for students of undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD. The university is ranked 86th globally, and 4th in France. The university has five faculties of Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Law-Economics-Management, Sports Sciences. It also has three other institutions for technical courses at Cachan, Orsay and Sceaux and a university engineering school. It has one of the most advanced research ecosystems in France that will let you get access to cutting edge technology which helps them in getting industry-ready. The university shares 275 laboratories with several public sector organisations like French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) which enhances its research capabilities. Being a student at the university you will get access to one of the best on-campus and off-campus facilities. The university has 48,000 students, and 9,000 researchers and lecturers. You will get the best off-campus life too because of its south Paris location, at the heart of economic activities. 

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École Normale Supérieure de Lyon

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon is a premier french public university that is ranked 130th globally and 5th in France. It is home to one of the best researchers in the world, and being a student you will be immensely benefited by the research facilities of the university and guidance from the experts. The university is based in the city of Lyon. It is one of France’s four Écoles Normales Supérieures, it gets grants from the French government, and as a student, you will get access to government-owned and sponsored facilities across France. No wonder it is considered one of the top universities in France for masters. The university’s startup business innovator helps students in broadening the scale, scope and reach of their business ideas. So, whether you want to do studies, entrepreneurship or jobs, the university will be a great launchpad to propel you to the zenith of success. 

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Ecole des Ponts ParisTech

The Ecole des Ponts ParisTech was established in 1747, and it is ranked 245th in the world. The École des Ponts ParisTech is ranked 6th best institution in France. The institution is a temple for engineering graduates who wish to do masters, especially in Civil and Mechanical Engineering. Other branches of engineering like Nuclear Engineering, Material Engineering, Information technology, etc. Also, other subjects like Economics, Sociology, Urban Planning, are one of the most sought courses by international students. It has 12 research labs that help students in getting great exposure to the world of advanced research on the university campus itself. 

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HEC Paris 

HEC Paris is one of the top MBA universities in France with one of the best teaching and academic standards in the entire Europe. It has a wide range of courses available, and it includes a regular MBA program which is of 16 months duration, and the areas of specialisation include Digital innovation, Sustainable and disruptive innovation, Advanced management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Strategy. It has a part-time executive MBA program, and of 15 to 18 months duration which focuses on areas of specialisations like Strategy, Negotiation and Governance, Leadership and Change Management, General Management, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Social Business. Another MBA program is the TRIUM Global Executive MBA program which is of an 18-month duration and its format is also part-time. The areas of specialisation include Strategy, Negotiation and Governance, Leadership and Change Management, General Management. 

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Sciences Po

The Sciences Po is ranked 261st globally, and 7th nationally in France. It is one of the best institutions for international students as out of 13,000 total students, 50% are International students. It has one of the widest networks with the world’s top educational institutions across the globe with a whopping 410 partner universities. It has an excellent track record with respect to placements as more than 90% of students get a job within 6 months of completion of their course. Its collaboration with private bodies helps you directly interact with industry experts, and build connections at the time of studies. The internship opportunities are immense due to its collaboration and partnerships with the public and private sectors. Sciences Po is a renowned name in social sciences subjects, and it ranks just below Harvard University in "Politics & International Studies”. Located in Paris, students also get ample opportunity because of the proximity to economic hubs. 

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Université de Paris

Université de Paris was established in 1150 CE, and since then it has remained a centre of excellence for centuries. It has a great reputation in France and in Europe. The university campus is located on some twenty campuses and research sites. It was given a new avatar in 2019 from the merger of the universities of Paris Diderot, Paris Descartes and Institut de physique du globe de Paris. It is ranked 261st globally, and the 8th best educational institution in France. Students from all disciplines get excellent opportunities to do research and study with one of the brightest minds in the world. The university has a wide range of courses available for students at undergraduate, master, and PhD level programs in Arts, Humanities and Languages, Science and Technology, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nursing. The university is located in Paris which will give you the best opportunity to access the world’s best job opportunities. 

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Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

The Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne is ranked 291st globally, and 9th best university in France. It has an 800-year-old history with more than 40,000 students enrolled in 14 teaching and research departments. Students of Law, Economics, Management and humanities have great opportunities because of its exceptional pool of faculty, and its collaborations with the world’s biggest think tanks, public policy-making bodies, and other public sector bodies. It has a great international faculty ratio of 21.4 which makes it a preferred university for international students. 

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