Universities in Paris for International Students: Which to Choose, Rankings, Costs and Admission

Paris and its inner suburbs host more than ten public universities, three large groupings (PSL, Paris-Saclay and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris), stand-alone grandes écoles such as Sciences Po and HEC, and hundreds of private schools. Four Paris institutions are in the QS World University Rankings 2027 top 100: PSL (34th), Institut Polytechnique de Paris (=43rd), Sorbonne Université (73rd) and Paris-Saclay (76th). The standard public-university fee for non-EU students in 2026/27 is $3,299 (€2,902) a year for a licence (bachelor's) and $4,490 (€3,950) for a master's, although for 2026/27 Université Paris Cité and Paris-Saclay have cut it for international students to the national rate of $202 and $290 (€178 and €255). Sciences Po charges $16,937 (€14,900) a year for its undergraduate programme. The biggest cost in Paris is housing, not tuition: the average student studio rents for $1,049 (€923) a month.

Below you will find the main institutions on one map, rankings with source and year, real costs, admission routes and a comparison of Paris with its suburbs. Dollar figures use the ECB rate of 24 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1367) and are rounded.

Map of universities in Paris and the suburbs

Four different universities carry "Sorbonne" in their name: Sorbonne Université, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Sorbonne Nouvelle and Sorbonne Paris Nord. They are separate institutions with their own programmes and admissions, so use the exact name in your application.

Rankings: what QS, THE and ARWU say

THE 2026 also ranks CY Cergy Paris Université (1001–1200), Paris Nanterre and Sorbonne Nouvelle (1501+); Paris-Panthéon-Assas submitted data but was not ranked. THE's 2027 edition is released on 30 September 2026.

How to read them: ARWU is almost entirely research output (publications, citations, prizes), which is why Paris-Saclay is 13th there and 76th in QS. QS and THE give more weight to reputation surveys and international mix. Specialised law, business and art schools barely register in overall tables even when they lead their field. Most importantly, a ranking scores the whole institution, while you apply to one programme: compare programmes, teaching language, requirements and price.

What studying in Paris costs in 2026/27

Higher fees and exemptions. Higher fees for non-EU students were introduced in 2019, and institutions could waive them. Decree no. 2026-385 of 19 May 2026 limited those waivers. According to the ministry guidance quoted by Université Paris Cité, only exemptions decided or announced to students before 21 May 2026 remain valid. For 2026/27, Université Paris Cité and Université Paris-Saclay had already decided to charge international students the national rate: $202 (€178) for a licence and $290 (€255) for a master's. Each university will announce its 2027/28 policy separately. Check the "droits d'inscription" page of your chosen university in spring and do not budget for a waiver that has not been confirmed. The full breakdown is in our guide to the cost of studying in France.

Living costs. The student residence permit for 2026/27 requires proof of at least $997 (€877.50) a month. A realistic Paris budget is higher: Crous de Paris residences mostly cost $409–637 (€360–560) a month, and the average private studio $1,049 (€923). How to find housing, and what changed with CAF aid, is covered in our guide to student housing in France.

Paris or the suburbs: campus location and rent

Many "Paris" institutions are outside the city: Paris-Saclay and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris on the Saclay plateau, Paris Nanterre in Nanterre, CY in Cergy, UPEC in Créteil, HEC in Jouy-en-Josas. Rents there are lower than in Paris, but not by much. LocService's 2026 review puts the average student studio at:

Saving $148–284 (€130–250) a month is easily eaten up by commuting costs and time. Living in Paris and commuting to Saclay only makes sense with a convenient RER line; for suburban campuses, a Crous residence near campus is usually the better deal.

How to apply to a Paris university

There is no Paris-specific procedure: the route depends on your level, the type of institution and where you live.

1. First year of a licence at a public university. Apply through the prior-admission procedure (DAP). You may choose up to three universities, which review the file simultaneously. Applicants living in Russia use Études en France (open from 1 November to 15 December 2025 for 2026/27); applicants in Kazakhstan submit the "white file" between 1 October and 15 December. French at B2 is required, via DELF B2 or the TCF with the written section; see our guide to DELF, DALF and TCF.
2. Licence years 2–3 and master's. Russia-based applicants use Études en France (for 2026/27 the window closed on 30 January 2026). Residents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan apply for master's programmes on Mon Master. The programme sets requirements; French-taught programmes usually ask for B2.
3. Sciences Po, grandes écoles, business and private schools. Their own competition or direct application within the school's deadlines; applicants from Études en France countries still use Études en France for the visa.
4. Preparatory classes (CPGE) and technology bachelor's (BUT). Through Parcoursup.

For details see our guides to bachelor's and master's degrees in France.

It is wise to include at least one regional university among your three DAP choices: all three review your file at the same time, and all three can say no.

Which Paris institution fits your goal

Private schools: checking that the diploma is recognised

Paris has many private schools with English-taught programmes and high fees. Campus France advises checking status before paying. State-recognised qualifications include national university diplomas, engineering degrees approved by the CTI, business-school diplomas holding a CEFDG visa, and programmes registered in the national qualifications directory (RNCP). An unrecognised diploma carries only the school's name: it may have value on the job market but may not count for further study. Check this before applying to any fashion, culinary or business school.

Common mistakes when choosing Paris

• Confusing the "Sorbonnes". Sorbonne Université, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Sorbonne Nouvelle and Sorbonne Paris Nord are separate institutions.
• Choosing by overall ranking. A law or business school may be stronger than its place in the QS table suggests.
• Assuming last year's fee waiver still applies. After the decree of 19 May 2026, check the exemption policy for your academic year.
• Listing only Paris universities in DAP. All three could say no at once.
• Moving to a suburb to save on rent without costing the commute. The rent gap is often smaller than transport costs and lost time.
• Not checking a private school's diploma status. Without CTI, CEFDG or RNCP recognition, a later master's may be harder.

Next step

Decide your level and language first (French or English, licence or master's), because they determine the institutions and the procedure. Then compare three to five programmes on requirements, fees for your academic year and campus location. The university decides on admission and on fee exemptions under its own rules, and the French consulate decides on the visa; StudyU does not guarantee any of these outcomes. Personal strategy, requirement checks, programme shortlisting, documents and application support are provided under a contract with StudyU. For the wider picture see Study in France, and for options beyond the capital our guide to universities in France.

FAQ

Sources

• QS World University Rankings 2027: Université PSL
• QS World University Rankings 2027: Institut Polytechnique de Paris
• QS World University Rankings 2027: Sorbonne University
• QS World University Rankings 2027: Université Paris-Saclay
• QS World University Rankings 2027: Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
• QS World University Rankings 2027: Université Paris Cité
• QS World University Rankings 2027: Sciences Po
• Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026
• ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
• Campus France: tuition and 2026/27 rates
• Campus France: CVEC 2026/27
• Université Paris Cité: 2026/27 fees and exemptions
• Université Paris-Saclay: 2026/27 fees and exemptions
• Sciences Po: tuition fees 2026/27
• Campus France: how to apply, DAP and deadlines
• Campus France Russia: 2026/27 deadlines
• Campus France: institutional quality and diploma recognition
• Service-Public: student residence permit and financial requirement
• Crous de Paris: residences and 2026/27 rates
• Service-Public: APL for international students from 1 July 2026
• LocService: student housing prices 2026 (market data)

Official sources and rankings checked on 24 September 2026. ECB rate on 24 September 2026: €1 = $1.1367.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.