Top 10 Public Universities in France for International Students 2025

Public universities in France are mainly categorized into the following types:

General Public Universities

Offer a wide range of academic programs in arts, science, engineering, law, and medicine.
Example: Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne University

Grandes Écoles (Elite Institutions)

Highly selective French public universities focus on specialized fields like engineering, business, and public administration.
Example: École Polytechnique, HEC Paris, Sciences Po

University Institutes of Technology (IUT)

Part of public universities, offering short-term technical and professional programs (such as DUT or BUT degrees).
Example: IUT Lyon, IUT Paris Descartes

Specialized Schools

Focus on specific disciplines such as architecture, fine arts, or social work.
Example: École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture, École des Beaux-Arts

Before applying to any university, you must have an idea about its history, specifications, and top courses. 

Here is a list of the top universities in France for international students according to the QS World University Ranking 2025:

Let’s get into the details of each university in France and their tuition fee, courses offered, and more: 

PSL University

Université PSL tops the France public university list. Located in the centre of Paris, the university excels in all areas of knowledge, innovation, and creativity. PSL has 9 Component Schools and 2 Associate Members and works closely with three research entities. To date, the university has produced 28 Nobel laureates, 10 Fields medal winners, 3 Abel laureates, 50 César, and 79 Molière awardees.

Institut Polytechnique de Paris

Polytechnique Institute of Paris is among the best public universities in France. It seeks to develop multidisciplinary education from Bachelor's to the PhD levels and research programs in ten disciplinary departments. The university believes in the mission of transferring knowledge to the economy and society to bring about positive change. It's public and private research partners that help foster students' creative skills.

Université Paris-Saclay

Amongst the France public universities for international students, Paris-Saclay University holds a reputable place. It provides a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in important areas and disciplines. The University’s constituent faculties and component institutions largely contribute to the curricula with specialised programs in Sciences, Engineering, Health, Social Sciences, and Humanities, etc.

Sorbonne University (merged from Paris IV & UPMC)

Sorbonne University is another one of the best public universities in France for international students. It holds a global outlook and an emphasis on conducting an ambitious and impactful international education and research policy. There are around 3,400 professors and researchers at Sorbonne University who work towards achieving innovative goals. It is also the headquarters for the European Marine Biological Research Centre.

Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon

One of France’s four Écoles Normales Supérieures, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS or ENS Lyon) is a French école (school) located in the city of Lyon. Like all public colleges in France as well as universities, ENS abides by the mission of training students to come up with the right questions and the right answers. ENS Lyon specializes in research in fields like computer science, geography, etc. 

Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

One of the largest universities in France, Université de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, is a descendant of the Sorbonne and the Faculty of Law and Economics of Paris. It is at the centre of a rich network of international relations stretching across the five continents. Since its establishment, the university has continued to play a major role in the training of researchers, judges, academics, senior managers, lawyers, and top French civil servants.

Université Paris Cité

Located at the heart of Paris, Université Paris Cité is a prestigious French university with a number of campuses around the city. It offers joint programs as well as programs taught in English for international students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Being one of the most sought-after public universities in France, Université Paris Cité is a renowned centre of research, high-quality programs, and innovation.

Université Grenoble Alpes

Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) is a famous name in the list of public universities in France. Every year, the university enrolls around 50,000 students in its bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs. It has a strong base in the disciplines of science and technology and an important presence in the global job market. There are more than 100 research departments that welcome students from all over the world.

Sciences Po Paris

Sciences Po holds a distinguished place in the list of public universities in France. Established in the year 1872, Sciences Po continues to be one of the leading France public universities for international students. It was ranked 2nd worldwide for Politics and International Studies (QS WUR, 2021). The student community comprises 14,000 students, out of which 50% are international students coming from 150 countries.

Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA)

INSA Lyon was established in 1957, and it is one of Europe's largest engineering graduate schools. It offers over 1,000 engineering degrees, 100 Master's degrees, and 130 PhDs annually. It focuses on international development through 200 academic partnerships. Research includes 700 faculty and researchers, 600 PhD students, and more than 1,000 industrial contracts. It focuses on five societal challenges in 23 laboratories.

To study at the best public universities in France, you need to meet certain criteria or requirements. Although the exact set of requirements varies according to the programs and universities you choose, the basic ones remain the same. Let us have a brief look at them:

Undergraduate Programs 

A 10+2 certificate from a recognized board is the primary requirement to pursue undergraduate programs at public universities in France. Do check the required score for the course and the university you choose.

Postgraduate Programs

You must have completed your bachelor's with decent grades to apply for graduate programs at public universities in France. For doctoral courses, a master's degree is a must.

English Language Requirements

The English proficiency test is mandatory for all international students to get admission to the public universities of France. Minimum scores as per the tests are:

• IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5
• TOEFL: 97 - 100
• PTE: 55 - 60

Passport and Visa

A valid passport and student visa are a must for all international students to study any course at any public university in France. Do keep in mind to apply for your visa at least 3 months before the expected date of travel.

Suggested: Everything about an International Student Visa

Scholarships in France have various types, like government, non-government, and university-based scholarships. Below are the major scholarships you can apply for when planning to study in France:

A step-by-step guide to applying to different public universities in France is as follows:

• Step 1: Finalize the course that you want to pursue and check for the best university offering that course.
• Step 2: Visit the official university website and collect all data relating to eligibility and the admission process.
• Step 3: Upload scanned copies of all the required documents (transcripts, CV, IELTS/TOEFL, PTE scorecards)
• Step 4: Fill out the desired application form and pay the fee.
• Step 5: Go through an interview with the respective university directors. This is a great opportunity to display your soft skills and presence of mind.
• Step 6: Once you receive the conditional offer letter after clearing your interview, you may book your seat at the particular university.
• Step 7: Pay your deposit by agreeing to the terms and conditions of the university. The deposit here is non-refundable.

Suggested: Education System in France

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