Université PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres): Admission, Programmes and Fees

Université PSL is a university made up of leading Paris schools, including the École normale supérieure, Université Paris Dauphine, Mines Paris, ESPCI, Chimie Paris and the Paris Observatory. Graduates receive a PSL degree. PSL ranks 34th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 48th in THE 2026, ahead of Sorbonne University and Paris-Saclay in both. About two-thirds of its 17,000 students are at master's or PhD level, so for most international applicants the realistic entry point is a master's. Fees depend on the school and programme. They range from $290 (€255) a year for a national master's with an approved fee waiver to $7,760 (€6,831) for Dauphine's own "DGE" master's degrees when the family's tax residence is outside the EU.

Applications go through Mon Master (17 February to 16 March in 2026) or PSL's own portals (15 January to 24 February 2026 for most programmes). Applicants living in a Campus France "Études en France" (EEF) country then complete an EEF file after admission; for Dauphine programmes they apply through EEF and Dauphine's portal at the same time.

How PSL is organised

PSL is not a classic faculty-based university. It is made up of schools that keep their own names, campuses, admissions committees and, often, fee rules ("Dauphine – PSL", "ENS – PSL", "Mines Paris – PSL"):

• ENS – PSL: fundamental sciences and humanities, with competitive entry and an international selection;
• Dauphine – PSL: economics, management, finance, law, applied mathematics and social sciences;
• Mines Paris, ESPCI Paris and Chimie Paris: engineering schools;
• Observatoire de Paris: astronomy and astrophysics;
• EPHE and École nationale des chartes: humanities, history, archival science and religious studies;
• arts schools: CNSAD (drama), Arts Décoratifs and ENSA Paris-Malaquais (architecture).

The Collège de France and Institut Curie are associated institutions, and CNRS, Inserm and Inria are research partners. Master's study is organised into graduate programmes (astrophysics, chemistry, economics, finance, computer science, engineering, management, mathematics, physics, earth sciences and others).

Who PSL suits

PSL suits strong students heading for a research master's or a PhD, and economists or managers choosing Dauphine. If you want a wide choice of French-taught programmes at public fees, compare Sorbonne University. For physics, AI and engineering with nearby CROUS housing, compare Université Paris-Saclay.

Which bachelor's programmes PSL offers

• CPES: a three-year multidisciplinary degree with progressive specialisation, taught in French. Tracks include Humanities & Society, Economy, Society & Law, and Data Sciences, Arts & Cultures.
• Sustainability Sciences: 40% of courses are in English in year 1, 60% in year 2 and 100% in year 3.
• International Bachelor of Science in AI: PSL's only bachelor's programme taught entirely in English.
• International Bachelor of Environmentally Engaged Engineering (I-BE³): a new Mines Paris programme from 2026, with its own application platform.
• Dauphine licences: applied economics, management, social sciences, applied mathematics, computer science for organisations, and a double licence in AI and organisational sciences. Some courses are in English, and the third-year International Management track is English-taught.

PSL states that all graduates of its bachelor's programmes go on to selective master's programmes and grandes écoles in France and abroad.

Where to apply for a bachelor's

In 2026, Parcoursup opened on 19 January; the deadline for listing choices was 12 March and for completing the file 1 April. For the 2026/27 intake, the EEF first-year window for residents of Russia ran from 1 November to 15 December 2025. Campus France Kazakhstan describes a paper "white" DAP file (preliminary admission request) submitted in Astana or Almaty between 1 October and 15 December. The 2027 dates have not been published yet. For the wider picture, see our guide to bachelor's degrees in France.

How to choose a master's and its application portal

PSL offers more than 50 master's programmes. Programmes taught fully in English include:

• Science and engineering: BioMedical Engineering (ST4Health); Earth and Planetary Science, Environment; Life Sciences (IMaLiS track); Materials Science and Engineering; Space Science and Technology; Mathematics (Advanced Mathematics in M1; MATH and ISAD tracks in M2).
• Social sciences, economics and management: Artificial Intelligence and Society; Analysis and Policy in Economics; Finance (Research in Finance and Financial Markets tracks).

Programmes taught partly in English include the ESPCI, Chimie Paris and Mines Paris engineering degrees and several Dauphine master's degrees, such as Advanced Studies in Management (first year in English), International Business, Banking, Finance and Insurance, and the English Track in Law. These generally require French at B2–C1. Where no English level is stated, PSL expects B2–C1; some programmes set explicit thresholds, such as IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90–92, and a few also ask for GMAT or GRE.

Application portals (2026 cycle)

M2 applications stay on school portals. Use PSL's Application Assistance Form and the Admissions tab on each programme page to confirm your channel.

Steps for an applicant living in Russia:

1. Apply on the programme's portal within its dates.
2. After admission, open an EEF file for the pre-consular formalities; without it the visa application will not be processed. Campus France operates five offices in Russia (Moscow, St Petersburg, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk), and the interview is held online.
3. Dauphine is the exception: there you apply through EEF and Dauphine's portal in parallel.
4. Book a visa appointment no earlier than three months before the course starts.

For the EEF file, diplomas, transcripts and school certificates are translated into French (or into French or English for a fully English-taught programme) and certified by a notary in Russia or France. A certified diploma translation does not expire; other certificates are valid for one month.

For general rules on French master's admissions and motivation letters, see our guide to master's degrees in France.

How to get funding through a PhD track

PhD tracks are five-year programmes taught entirely in English: two master's years followed by three years of doctoral research in PSL labs. For the September 2027 intake, four tracks are open: chemistry, life sciences, astrophysics and computer science. The physics, engineering, earth sciences and biodiversity, and cognitive sciences tracks will not take applications for 2027; PSL recommends applying to the regular M1 programmes in those fields (ICFP, Energy, Materials Science and Engineering, Earth sciences, Cognitive Sciences) and looking for programme funding.

• Master's phase: $11,370 (€10,000) a year, paid as $1,140 (€1,000) a month for 10 months, awarded on admission with no separate application.
• PhD phase: a doctoral contract paying at least $2,500 (€2,200) gross a month.
• Selection: an application file with two academic referees and a remote interview in English; you need at least 180 ECTS (or to be in your final bachelor's year), C1 English is recommended, and lab experience is highly recommended.
• Not covered by the grant: tuition, housing and transport. Recipients are, however, guaranteed a room for 10 months in their first master's year.

The call for the September 2027 intake is planned for October to December 2026, and applications go only through the PSL portal, whatever your nationality. Because competition is intense, PSL advises applying to a regular master's in parallel. Doctoral study at PSL sits outside the Études en France procedure: once admitted to the PhD phase, students apply for a "talent passport – researcher" visa.

How much PSL costs in 2026/27

Fees for other PSL schools are listed on each programme page under Admissions. For EU tax residents, Dauphine's DGE fees depend on household income; for non-EU tax residents the rate is fixed. Exemptions in national programmes now follow Decree no. 2026-385 of 19 May 2026. It abolished blanket waivers for all international students: a full or partial exemption is granted only on individual request, based on the student's circumstances, above all family income. The quota is 30% of non-EU students in 2026/27, 25% in 2027/28 and 20% from 2028. Dauphine states that the reduction to $290 (€255) requires a reasoned request at administrative enrolment, and that $4,490 (€3,950) applies without one. French government scholarship holders, including Eiffel scholars, are exempted automatically. Dauphine also warns that some rates may change for 2027/28.

For the visa, budget at least $1,000 (€877.50) a month in proof of funds, the threshold in force since 1 August 2026. Since 1 July 2026, non-EU students receive APL housing aid only with a CROUS grant, a job or an apprenticeship. See the cost of studying in France for a full budget.

Which scholarships and grants are available

• PSL graduate programme excellence grants for M1/M2 in chemistry, engineering, computer science, mathematics, finance, earth sciences, life sciences, religious studies, management and physics. The list PSL publishes refers to 2024/25, so check current terms with each programme.
• ENS – PSL International Selection for ENS master's programmes, with enrolment in the ENS diploma (DENS).
• Dauphine merit scholarships for non-EU students: a 50% or 100% waiver in the second year of a DGE master's.
• Mines Paris and ESPCI excellence scholarships for engineering programmes.
• PhD tracks: funding from the first master's year (see above).
• France Excellence Eiffel: the school (Dauphine, Mines Paris, ESPCI, Chimie Paris, EPHE or the Paris Observatory) nominates candidates and students cannot apply directly; the age limit for master's is 29, and the allowance is $1,360 (€1,200) a month. Russia is on the programme's country list, but the rules for the 2027 session had not been published as of 24 September 2026.
• French Embassy in Russia master's scholarship: $980 (€860) a month for 2026/27, with a free visa, insurance and exemption from public-university registration fees.

The school, foundation or embassy decides on each award. See scholarships in France.

Where PSL students live

The PSL Housing Service advises on the Paris rental market, guarantors and housing aid, and holds appointments on Fridays. It directly handles housing only for CPES and Sustainability Sciences students, Chimie Paris international students referred by their school, and international students who applied through the PSL Welcome Desk. Other students go through their school:

• Dauphine: a housing service open to all its students.
• ENS: housing only for students admitted to the ENS diploma (DENS), including the international selection.
• Mines Paris: housing for students admitted through the engineering entrance exams.
• ESPCI: via its studies office.

Master's and PhD students can apply to the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (47 houses, about 7,200 rooms; September applications by April). The CROUS social file (DSE) closes on 31 May. For budgeting, Campus France (May 2026) gives these Paris benchmarks: a CROUS room at $340–740 (€300–650) a month, a private residence at $630–1,020 (€550–900), and a Navigo transport pass at $100 (€90.80). See student housing in France.

Where PSL stands in the rankings

In ARWU, PSL is behind Paris-Saclay (13th), but in QS and THE it ranks above both Paris-Saclay and Sorbonne University. At programme level, the lab, the supervisor and the internship matter more than the overall table.

Mistakes to avoid

• Treating PSL as one university with one portal. There are at least four portals, with deadlines up to a month apart.
• Applying to Dauphine through only one channel. You need both Études en France and Dauphine's own portal.
• Missing the DGE status of a Dauphine master's. It costs $7,760 (€6,831) for non-EU tax residents and the national-rate exemption does not apply.
• Confusing ENS – PSL with ENS Paris-Saclay. They are different schools in different universities.
• Counting on PSL housing. Housing depends on the school, and most master's students must find accommodation themselves.
• Waiting for a physics or earth sciences PhD track. These tracks are not recruiting for 2027; apply to the regular M1 and ask about programme grants.

FAQ

Is PSL a university or a group of schools?

It is a public university that awards PSL degrees. Its member schools (ENS, Dauphine, Mines Paris, ESPCI and others) keep their names, admissions committees and some of their own rules.

How much does PSL cost for non-EU students?

It depends on the school. A Dauphine national master's costs $4,490 (€3,950); a reduction to $290 (€255) is possible only on individual request, based on income, and within the quota (25% of non-EU students in 2027/28). A Dauphine DGE master's costs $7,760 (€6,831) for non-EU tax residents. Other schools publish fees on their programme pages.

Does PSL offer an English-taught bachelor's?

Yes: the International Bachelor of Science in AI. Sustainability Sciences moves to full English by year 3; CPES is taught mainly in French.

When are master's deadlines?

In 2026, PSL portals were open from 15 January to 24 February, Mon Master from 17 February to 16 March, and the PSE portal until 12 March.

What is a PhD track?

A five-year English-taught route from master's to PhD, paying $1,140 (€1,000) a month for 10 months a year during the master's and a doctoral salary of at least $2,500 (€2,200) gross afterwards. Four tracks are open for 2027: chemistry, life sciences, astrophysics and computer science.

Do I need Campus France?

Yes, if you live in an Études en France country such as Russia: you open the EEF file after admission, or at the same time as applying for Dauphine programmes. Without it the consulate will not issue a long-stay visa.

Can StudyU help?

Under a service agreement, we match you with PSL schools and portals, check requirements, prepare documents and the EEF file, and support the visa stage. The PSL school decides on admission, and the French consulate decides on the visa.

Sources

• PSL quick facts and schools
• PSL international admissions procedures
• Applying for bachelor's degrees at PSL
• Master's admissions procedures and 2026 deadlines
• Programmes taught in English
• PSL PhD tracks and scholarships
• PSL Housing Service
• Dauphine – PSL tuition fees 2026/27 (FR)
• Campus France: tuition fees 2026/27 and the ministry FAQ on Decree 2026-385
• Campus France Russia: embassy scholarships, deadlines, documents and translations and offices; Campus France: Eiffel
• Campus France: student cost of living, May 2026; Eiffel rate from Université Paris-Saclay
• Service-public.fr: student residence permit and APL
• QS, THE, ARWU 2026
• Dollar amounts use the ECB rate of 24 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1367), rounded to $10.

For an overview of the French system, see Study in France; to compare Paris institutions, see universities in Paris. To work out which PSL school and portal fit your profile, send us a request.

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