Overview

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University is a public research university in Paris, France. It was created in 1971 from two faculties of the historic University of Paris — colloquially referred to as the Sorbonne — after the May 1968 protests, which resulted in the division of one of the world's oldest universities. Most of the economics professors of the Faculty of Law and Economics of Paris decided to found the multidisciplinary Paris 1 University, together with professors of the Faculty of Humanities and a few professors of law. 

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University combines the glorious heritage of the college founded by Robert de Sorbon in the 13th century with an innovative multidisciplinary project. As France's leading university in the humanities and social sciences, since 1971 it has cultivated a unique spirit that combines a demanding scientific approach with the ambition to develop new knowledge that transforms the world. Its motto is "Omnibus sapientia, unicuique excellentia — Knowledge for all, excellence for everyone." 

Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter and across over 20 campuses in the Île-de-France region, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University welcomes around 44,500 students, 20% of whom are international students representing 140+ nationalities. Since 1970, its teaching and research mission has been organised around three main disciplinary areas: arts and humanities; law and political science; and economics and management. 

Located on 25 sites in the Paris region and open to the world through the eleven institutions that make up the Una Europa alliance, the university supports almost 45,000 students a year and boasts one of the largest alumni networks on the continent. Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne has 37 research units, including 25 under joint supervision with the CNRS and/or the Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), as well as 10 doctoral schools. 

Panthéon-Sorbonne has three main areas of specialisation: Economics and Management; Human Sciences; and Legal and Political Sciences. The Sorbonne Centre campus houses multiple departments including Management (École de Management de la Sorbonne), History, Philosophy, Political Science, and part of the Economics and Law departments. The university also has 17 specialised libraries, among the richest in the world in their scientific fields. The Bibliothèque interuniversitaire de la Sorbonne contains almost two million printed volumes. 

Notable alumni include Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, numerous French prime ministers, economists, senior civil servants, leading European jurists, and prominent journalists and cultural figures.

Intakes

Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne follows the French academic calendar:

• Autumn Intake (September) — Primary intake for all Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs
• No standard spring intake for most programs

Application Deadlines (from official sources):

International students can apply through several pathways depending on their nationality and current study location. For non-EU students living abroad using the Campus France platform, applications go through the Études en France platform (open from 10 November 2025). For non-EU students living in a country that does not use Campus France, applications go through the "dossier blanc" DAP procedure (1 October to 15 December 2025). For Master's programs, the Mon Master platform is open from 17 February to 16 March 2026 for EU students; non-EU students living abroad apply through Études en France from November 2025. 

Top Courses

Some 40,000 students are enrolled in 14 teaching and research departments (Unités de Formation et de Recherche) and 5 Institutes, which offer top-level degree courses in law, political science, economics, management, and the humanities. The university is located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, occupying part of the historic Sorbonne building and other prestigious French university buildings. 

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne offers over 300 programmes. All Bachelor's degrees are fully taught in French. Some Master's programs are taught in English, but not all are open to foreign students. 

Key departments and flagship programs include:

Economics and Management (Pôle Économie-Gestion):

• BSc/MSc in Economics (general and applied)
• MSc in International Economics & Development
• MSc in Econometrics and Statistics
• École de Management de la Sorbonne (EMS) — MSc in Management, MBA, MSc in Business Administration
• MSc in Finance (including Quantitative Finance and Corporate Finance)

Human Sciences (Pôle Sciences Humaines):

• MA in History (among the world's top 15 programs)
• MA in Archaeology (world top 12)
• MA in Art History (1st in France)
• MA in Geography (1st in France)
• MA in Philosophy (1st in France)
• MA in Classics and Ancient History (world top 11)
• MA in Communication and Media Studies (1st in France)
• MA in Languages, Civilisations and Eastern Societies

Legal and Political Sciences (Pôle Droit-Science Politique):

• BSc/MSc in Law (Droit) — among the world's top 19 Law programs
• LLM in International and European Law
• MSc in Political Science
• MSc in Development Studies (1st in France)
• MSc in European and International Affairs

Other Programs:

• MSc in Mathematics and Computer Science (interdisciplinary)
• MSc in Environmental Sciences (joint with CNRS/IRD)
• PhD programs across all disciplines (10 doctoral schools)

Cost of Studying at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

Tuition fees at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne are subsidised by the French Government for both domestic and international students. Students pay only registration fees each year. An essential step during registration is the payment of the Student Life and Campus Contribution (CVEC) fee of approximately €95–€105 per year. 

For the 2026–2027 academic year, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne will partially apply differentiated tuition fees for non-EU students. Students enrolled in 2025–2026 are exempt from differentiated tuition fees until the end of their current degree level. The university has additionally voted to maintain exemptions in certain cases including double-degree/joint degree students and students enrolled the previous year.

Note: The differentiated fee reform for non-EU students applies to new enrollments from 2026–27 onwards. Many exemptions exist. Paris has a higher cost of living than other French cities. Please verify at pantheonsorbonne.fr before applying.

Scholarships

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University partners with the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme. The scholarship provides €1,200/month plus round-trip travel expenses for Master's students (12 months maximum for Master 2, 24 months maximum for Master 1). The application deadline is typically in November each year. Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University does not offer other grants for incoming full degree students but encourages students to check French embassy websites, Instituts français, Alliances françaises, and the Campus France grant search engine. 

Key scholarships for international students:

Admissions

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University is France's leading university in the humanities and social sciences. Acceptance rates vary by program and level — from relatively open access for Bachelor's programs to 10–20% for the most competitive Master's programs in law, economics, and history. 

For Undergraduate Programs (Licence / BSc):

• High school diploma (Baccalauréat or equivalent)
• All Bachelor's degrees are fully taught in French — French proficiency (DELF/DALF B2 minimum) is mandatory
• Application via Parcoursup (EU students) or Études en France (non-EU international students)
• Non-EU students must go through Campus France (or "dossier blanc" DAP procedure if no Campus France)

For Postgraduate Programs (Master's):

• Bachelor's degree (Licence or equivalent, 3 years) in a relevant field
• GPA 2.5–3.5/4.0 (strongly competitive programs require higher)
• French B2–C1 (DELF/DALF) for French-taught programs (required for most)
• IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL iBT 85–90 for English-taught programs
• Motivational Letter / Statement of Purpose
• CV / Résumé
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Application via Mon Master (EU) or Études en France (non-EU)

For PhD Programs:

• Master's degree with research record
• Research proposal and agreement from a faculty supervisor
• Application through the relevant doctoral school
• Most PhD positions are competitively funded through contrats doctoraux

Placements

Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne ranked 257th globally in QS 2026, with a notable score specifically in employability — confirming the strong career outcomes of its graduates particularly in law, public administration, economics, and humanities fields. 

Paris 1 is at the centre of a rich network of international relations stretching across five continents. It plays a major role in the training of researchers, academics, judges, lawyers, senior managers, and top French civil servants. At the crossroads of tradition and modernity, Paris 1 is at the forefront of research and teaching in the fields of European studies, international relations, management, and communications. 

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne's policy of involvement in public and economic life has resulted in a rich network of relationships with players in the public and private sectors. The Fondation Panthéon-Sorbonne has joined forces with economic sectors to develop and support innovative projects in higher education and research, focusing on students, international development, research and training, and heritage. 

Graduates of Paris 1 are among the most sought-after candidates for careers in French and European law, public administration, economics, academic research, the media, and cultural institutions.

Key career sectors for Paris 1 graduates:

• Law & Legal Professions — French Bar (Barreau de Paris — one of Europe's largest), French and EU courts, Conseil d'État, Cour de cassation, European Court of Justice, international arbitration
• Economics & Finance — Banque de France, IMF, World Bank, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, consulting (BCG, McKinsey, Deloitte)
• Public Service & Politics — French Ministries, National Assembly, Senate, EU institutions, diplomacy
• Research & Academia — CNRS, leading French and European universities, think tanks (Sciences Po, EHESS)
• Cultural & Media — French Ministry of Culture, UNESCO, major publishers, Le Monde, AFP, France Télévisions, RFI
• International Development — OECD, UN agencies, NGOs, IRD, development finance institutions

Jobs After Graduating from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

Note: Salary figures are indicative gross monthly values. Actual salaries vary by field, employer, and experience. Law graduates at leading firms can earn significantly more.

For personalised guidance on Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne admissions, scholarships, and the French student visa process, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.