Sorbonne University is a world class research institute formed by the union of two leading universities of France, Paris-Sorbonne and Pierre & Marie Curie University.
According to US News and World Report, the university has been ranked #1 in Best Global Universities in France, demonstrating its consistency as the most popular and sought out institute.
The university shows a lenient admission policy with an acceptance rate of 100%. Currently, the university has 43,585 students enrolled in different programs. The number of international students is 8,687 which is 20% of the total student population. International students need to submit their GPA, official transcripts, financial documentation and course specific requirements to apply for the programs at Sorbonne University.
Majority of the courses at the university are taught in French, and any student applying to higher education will need to showcase their knowledge in the language. It is recommended that all international applicants have a proficiency of a B2 or C1 level of French. For the department of Medicine, each candidate must have a level C1 in French, unless they hold a French baccalaureate.
The academic year at Sorbonne University starts in September and is divided into two semesters. The first term ends around late January and the second term by early June. Admissions at Sorbonne University are carried out based on deadlines by the Campus France website. January 17, 2021 is the deadline for applications to the ECF. Presently, non-European students enrolling for the first time in a higher education cycle in France will have to pay annual registration fees : € 2,770 (~2,43,000 INR) for a license and € 3,770 (~3,31,000 INR) for masters.
Sorbonne University Rankings
- #1 in Best Global Universities in France by US News and World Report, 2021.
- #43 in Best Global Universities by US News and World Report, 2021.
- #10 in Best Global Universities in Europe by US News and World Report, 2021.
- #83 in QS World University Rankings, 2021.
- #141-150 in Graduate Employability Rankings by THE World Rankings 2021.
- #87 in World University Rankings by THE World University Rankings 2021.
- #201-300 in Impact Rankings 2021 by THE World University Rankings 2021.
Sorbonne University Highlights
| Type of university | Public |
| Number of undergraduate degrees awarded | 5,399 |
| Number of doctoral degrees awarded | 1,676 |
| Percentage of international students | 20% |
| Annual acceptance rate | 100% |
| Basic registration fee for undergraduate international students | 170 euros |
| Basic registration fee for graduate international students | 243 euros |
| Number of academic departments | 10 |
| Official website | https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/ |
| Bachelor’s graduation rate | 55.88% |
| Master’s graduation rate | 61.74% |
| CEVC fees | 92 euros |
Sorbonne University Campus and Accommodation
Sorbonne University's historical campus is in the historic central Sorbonne building, in the Latin Quarter. Sorbonne University is located in the heart of France and is based on a very accessible location. The university consists of a total of 10 academic departments and 4 institutes. There are various rental conference facilities available.
The Pierre and Marie Curie Campus is a rental space for various occasions and is a part of the Faculty of Sciences and Engineering. More than 80 sports activities, like volleyball and tennis as well as courses and disabled sports activities are offered throughout the year. Students can also get involved in the Sorbonne University sports association. It is in accordance with the French university sports federation (FFSU).
Sorbonne University Accommodation
Sorbonne University does not have on-campus housing. It offers online accommodation as a rental platform for student residencies, private homes or shared flats.
The Paris Crous Accommodation is typically for exchange students who arrive at Sorbonne University. To obtain a Crous accommodation, students can create a DSE between January 15 and May 31 of the year prior to applying to Sorbonne University.
- The accommodation cost at Paris Crous ranges around 250-550 Euros (~23,000-48,000 INR).
- A housing for exchange students is e Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (CiuP).
- Staying in CiuP costs international students between 500-800 Euros (~43,000-70,000 INR). The ViSALE housing is aimed at people of age 30 years or younger.
An international student must take up housing insurance. Housing insurance covers all the damages or possible burglary and is the minimum requirement for a tenant. A security deposit is required to detect any breach of contract. When a student signs their lease the landlord will usually ask for a security deposit. The Personal Housing Assistance Fund (APL) is a housing benefit offered to applicants.
Sorbonne University Programs
Sorbonne University offers a wide range of courses. The program structure is divided into three segments academically, College of Science and Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Letters. Programs are offered in both English and in French.
The College of Science and Engineering offers programs across STEM disciplines and engineering diplomas. The faculty of arts and humanities maintains progress in literature, languages, social sciences, arts and related programs. The university has started offering certain multidisciplinary programs, either bi-disciplinary or dual-degree bachelors programs to international students.
COVID 19 update- Due to the current context linked to the Covid-19, the calendar for pre-registration campaigns for international students in French higher education establishments has been adapted.
Sorbonne University Admission Process
To get admitted into a program at Sorbonne University, an applicant must apply and confirm the chosen degree program first. Then they should send the documents to be attached, pay the Student and Campus Life contribution (CVEC) and pay the registration fees. A student wishing to apply to Sorbonne University must keep the following in mind:
How to apply?
- Application portal: Aspirants from a country outside of Europe who partners with Campus France, will need to apply via the ‘Study in France’ section of the Campus France website.
- CVEC fees: 92 euros
Sorbonne University Application Deadlines
The important deadlines for admission to Sorbonne University are listed below:
| Program Type | Application Type | Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| First year bachelor’s program | University response and acceptance proposal | June 15, 2020 |
| Student response and decision | Before June 30, 2020 | |
| Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate program applications for scholarship eligible students | Decision by establishments | July 6 |
| Scholarship commissions from embassies / exemptions from establishments | July 13 | |
| Excluding prior application for admission | Application to the ECF | March 5, 2021 |
| Interviews at the ECF and indication of SCAC opinions | April 30, 2021 | |
| Exemption commissions / institutional scholarships | June 19, 2021 | |
| Student decision | July 1, 2021 |
Sorbonne University Admission Requirements
The basic requirements for general admission and course specific admissions for international students are compiled below:
- Academic transcripts from high school or college.
- The application form, properly filled out.
- Identification papers.
- CVEC certificate.
- Access ticket.
- Health insurance.
- Certificate of receipt of the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC). The amount is 92 Euros. The CVEC is established by French legislation "Orientation and success of students", and requires mandatory payment at the time of registration.
- Registration fee of at least € 100 (~8,700 INR) in three installments.
- B2 or C1 level in French.
The university has some program specific requirements for the international students. Below are the admission requirements for the College of Science and Technology:
- Proof of registration MoveON (French or English)
- Printed application PDF.
- A cover letter.
- CV.
- Official transcripts.
- An official identity photo (35x45 mm).
- LOR.
Note: The College of Letters requires a French proficiency level of B2 or higher based on CEFRL. Admission to the College of Medicine requires a French proficiency level of C1 on all courses based on CEFRL.
Sorbonne University Cost of Attendance
Sorbonne University offers education at a cheap rate, compared to other institutions of similar reputation. The tuition is free for domestic as well as international students but there is a registration fee which is required to get admission into the university. The cost of attendance for the year 2021-22 can be tabulated and summarized as follows:
| Type of Fees | Amount in Euros |
|---|---|
| Registration fees | Bachelor’s: 170 Master’s: 243 Engineering: 601 PhD: 380 |
| CVEC fees | 92 |
| Tuition fees | 100 |
| Transport | 450 |
| Accomodation | 4500 |
| Health insurance | 500 |
| Total | 5,812 to 6,243 |
Sorbonne University Scholarships
Sorbonne University offers financial aid to incoming international students depending on their merit, financial background and extra curricular activities or community service. Scholarships are provided by each department separately for international candidates. International students can also avail financial aid from CROUS. The following information must be kept in mind while getting financial aid from CROUS:
Eligibility- Students who are under 28 years of age on September 1 of the enrollment of higher education. Students must possess a title or a diploma equivalent to the French baccalaureate for registration in the first year of higher education. The applicant must have a temporary residence card or a card issued in application of the code for the entry and stay of foreigners.
How to apply? The grant request can be processed through DSE electronically by connecting to www.etudiant.gouv.fr.
Application deadlines: Between January 15 and May 15 preceding the start of the academic year. No application will be accepted after December 31 of the existing academic year.
The scholarships, eligibility and deadlines for the same for international students are given below:
| Name of the scholarship | Eligibility | Deadlines | Amount offered | How to apply? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD excellence scholarship | Doctoral or research assistant. Finance must be contacted for at least 4 months before the conference. | Program specific | 500 euros per stay (daily allowance of 80 euros plus travel allowance of 250 euros. | Marion Rolland from DAAD |
| Globalink Research Internship | Undergraduate student | August to September. | Allowance on living expenses. | Programs must be chosen from the online database. The official website can be referred for details. |
| Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship | Candidate should be a master 1 or master 2 student. They should be fluent in German language. | Variable | 500 Euros/month. | Official website |
| Internship in Medicine | Candidates should be in 4th/5th/6th year of medicine | Directly through the university. | 60 EUR / month in 4th year, 320 EUR / month in 5th year, 390 EUR / month in 6th year + reimbursement of 50% of your transport ticket). | Official website |
A few other government scholarships provided by Campus France are as follows:
- La Femis for foreign film and television students. Students can attend a summer residency program for 2 months and monthly stipend, return ticket to France and medical expenses are covered.
- Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence provides 1,181 euros for master’s students and 1400 euros for phD students.
Sorbonne University Alumni
Sorbonne University has more than 400,000 alumni all over the world. The university’s student capacity is high, therefore it produces a lot of graduates each year. There are several alumni associations like CELSA Sorbonne University Alumni and ISUP Alumni Association.
The alumni can attend conferences, visit campuses, interact with new incoming students and access the libraries. They can also develop their career or grow their business by getting in touch with researchers from Sorbonne University. They can raise funds for the ‘Welcome to the Future’ program.
The university produced incredibly successful and famous alumni who are well known researchers, entrepreneurs, entertainers etc. Some of the very known and influential alumni from the institute are:
- Marie Curie- Physicist and Chemist, Pioneer in the research of radioactivity.
- Henri Poincare- Mathematician, Theoretical Physicist, engineer
- Roland Barthes- French literary theorist, essayist
- Vera Wang- Famous fashion designer
Sorbonne University Placements
According to Times Higher Education, the institute got an employability ranking of #63. Sorbonne University received a rank of #141-150 according to QS Top Universities Rankings, 2021 and has witnessed a rise in rankings for employability in recent years.
The rate of professional integration is 93%, of which, 35% are doctoral students. The rate of continuation of studies after bachelor’s degree is 94%. The employments secured by master’s students within 30 months after graduation are as follows:
| Job | Percentage of graduates |
|---|---|
| Executives (including civil service ‘A’ executives) | 86 |
| Private sector | 70 |
| Permanent contracts and civil servants | 81 |
| Jobs in line with level of training | 85 |
| Jobs in line with content of training | 73 |
Sorbonne University has produced 4,132 publications and 51,702 citations till now. Teaching and research are intrinsically linked at the university. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs to the international students. Along with teaching, research is also structured around three major disciplinary areas with 36 research teams and 10 doctoral schools.
Sorbonne University is undoubtedly one of the best institutes in France according to several ranking surveys when it comes to quality of education and research outputs. The university, in spite of its academic competence, has a very benevolent acceptance rate which makes students from all over the world flock to it in huge numbers. Compared to other private institutes in the world, Sorbonne University has definitely set a benchmark in itself and is thus regarded as one of the best universities for higher education in the entire world.
FAQ
Ques. Is Sorbonne University worth studying?
Ans. At Sorbonne University all the professors are very knowledgeable and professional. The style of teaching here is much different than in the U.S., granted, and that can be a plus or minus depending on your preferences. In France, you don’t have a huge set of core requirements regardless of degree. If you are a philosophy major, all of your required classes will be philosophy courses, from day one.
Ques. I am an exchange student in France. Do I need to extend my visa?
Ans. Students whose visas expired, need extension in order to maintain their activities or facilitate border crossings, travel outside of France. You should carry the official document outlining visa extensions when you do so. Students whose permits expired after June 15th can apply for a return visa at the French consulate in their country of residence.
Ques. How do I get accepted into Sorbonne for a master's degree?
Ans. You should have at least a 3-year university degree (Licence, Bachelor, or equivalent), good grades, know French, unless you can find a program that is offered in your language of choice.
Ques. Does Sorbonne University offer scholarships to international students?
Ans. The university offers departmental scholarships, given that the training fees are quite cheap in France. Scholarships are mostly provided by French government. A foreign student has to look for a scholarship for international mobility in his own country.
