Université Paris-Saclay

Université Paris-Saclay: A Comprehensive Overview

Founded in 2015 and formalized as a university in 2019, Université Paris-Saclay is a leading public research university located in the Île-de-France region, south of Paris, France. It serves over 60,000 students, including 25% international students from 150 countries, across more than 300 programs. A member of the European University Association and a leader in the French excellence initiative, Paris-Saclay is renowned for its scientific innovation, interdisciplinary approach, and global research impact, ranking among the world’s top universities.

History

Université Paris-Saclay emerged from the Paris-Saclay research cluster, integrating historic institutions like the University of Paris-Sud (founded 1971) and grandes écoles such as CentraleSupélec (1829) and ENS Paris-Saclay (1892). Established to rival global research hubs like MIT, it consolidated 10% of France’s research capacity under the French government’s Investments for the Future program. By 2019, it became a unified university, merging faculties, institutes, and national research organizations like CNRS and INRIA. With 13 Nobel Prize and 11 Fields Medal affiliations, Paris-Saclay builds on a legacy of scientific excellence, driving innovation in the 21st century.

Academic Structure

Paris-Saclay comprises nine graduate schools and faculties: Science; Medicine; Law, Economics, and Management; Pharmacy; Engineering; Sports Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Biodiversity, Agriculture, and Food; and Education. It also includes three technical institutes (IUTs) and grandes écoles like CentraleSupélec, ENS Paris-Saclay, and Institut d’Optique. These offer over 300 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, with 80% of master’s degrees taught in English to attract international students. Interdisciplinary curricula, supported by 275 laboratories, integrate research and teaching across STEM, health, and social sciences.

Prominent Faculties and Departments

The Faculty of Science is a global leader, excelling in mathematics (ranked 1st globally, ARWU 2023) and physics, with contributions to quantum mechanics. The Faculty of Medicine, linked to major hospitals, advances oncology and epidemiology. The Graduate School of Engineering, including CentraleSupélec, ranks among Europe’s top engineering schools, specializing in AI and energy systems. The Faculty of Law, Economics, and Management is renowned for econometrics, while the Graduate School of Biodiversity, Agriculture, and Food leads in sustainable agriculture. These units collaborate with industry giants like Airbus and Thales, fostering innovation.

Research Activities

Paris-Saclay is a research powerhouse, hosting 13% of France’s research output and securing €500 million annually in funding. It leads in fields like mathematics, physics, AI, and climate science, with 275 laboratories, including the Synchrotron SOLEIL and NeuroSpin. The university’s 13 Nobel Prize and 11 Fields Medal affiliations, including Albert Fert’s work on giant magnetoresistance, underscore its impact. It collaborates globally via the European University Alliance for Global Health and produces over 15,000 publications yearly. Research addresses global challenges like sustainable energy, health innovation, and digital transformation, with strong ties to the Paris-Saclay innovation cluster.

International Rankings

Paris-Saclay ranks among the world’s elite, placing 15th in the ARWU 2023, 58th in QS World University Rankings 2025, and 66th in Times Higher Education (THE) 2023. It excels in 20+ subjects, with mathematics (1st), physics (top 10), and agriculture in the global top 50 (ARWU 2023). Its graduate employability ranks in the top 100 globally (QS 2022). As France’s top university in several rankings, Paris-Saclay maintains a stellar reputation for research and academic excellence.

Campus Life

Paris-Saclay’s 600-hectare campus, spanning Gif-sur-Yvette, Orsay, and Saclay, integrates historic buildings with modern facilities like the Learning Centre and Lumen interdisciplinary hub. Additional sites in Évry and Versailles support specialized programs. With over 100 student associations, from robotics clubs to cultural societies, campus life is vibrant. The university’s sports facilities, including Olympic-standard venues, and cultural events like the Science and Music Festival enrich student experiences. Located 20 km from Paris, the campus offers access to the capital’s cultural and professional hubs via RER trains. International students benefit from welcome programs, French language courses, and a regional transport pass.

Notable Alumni

Paris-Saclay’s alumni include 13 Nobel laureates, such as Jean-Marie Lehn (Chemistry, 1987) and Pierre-Gilles de Gennes (Physics, 1991), and 11 Fields Medalists, including Ngô Bảo Châu (2010). Other notable figures are astronaut Thomas Pesquet, economist Thomas Piketty, and L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus. The university’s 100,000+ alumni network drives impact across science, policy, and industry, with contributions to superconductivity, economic theory, and space exploration.

Future Goals

Under its 2030 Strategic Plan, Paris-Saclay aims to be a global leader in science and sustainability. It plans to expand research in AI, green energy, and global health, targeting carbon neutrality by 2035. Strengthening partnerships through the European University Alliance and global networks will enhance its international presence. The university is investing €300 million in infrastructure, including a new Quantum Innovation Hub, and prioritizing diversity, student wellbeing, and employability to address global challenges like climate change and technological disruption.

Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

With a 20% acceptance rate, admission is competitive. Undergraduate programs require a high school diploma (e.g., 85% in Indian CBSE) or equivalent and a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0. Postgraduate programs need a relevant bachelor’s degree (2:1 or equivalent). English proficiency tests (IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 88) are mandatory for English-taught programs, with French proficiency (DELF B2) for others. International applicants submit transcripts, a CV, SOP, LORs, and proof of funds (€10,000/year) for a French student visa (€50). Applications are via the university’s portal or Parcoursup for undergraduates (deadlines: March 15, 2025, for September intake) and eCandidat for postgraduates (varies, typically April 2025). Tuition fees are €170/year for EU undergraduates, €2,770–€3,770 for non-EU students, with master’s fees at €243 (EU) or €5,000–€10,000 (non-EU). A €100 student services fee applies. Scholarships like the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (€1,181/month) are available. Early application is advised for housing.

Contact Information

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Address

: Université Paris-Saclay, 3 rue Joliot Curie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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General Inquiries

: Phone: +33 1 69 15 50 00, Email: [email protected]
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International Office

: Email: [email protected]
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Admissions Office

: Website: www.universite-paris-saclay.fr (Apply via Parcoursup or eCandidat)
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Housing

: Contact CROUS Paris-Saclay at [email protected]