Overview

Université Paris-Saclay has a history that traces back to 1150 when the University of Paris was first established. In 1971, a branch in Orsay was renamed the University of Paris-Sud. In 2019, it became Université Paris-Saclay. The university is part of the larger Paris-Saclay project, which brings together nine higher education institutions and a high-technology business cluster onto a research-intensive academic campus — a model drawing inspiration from Oxford and Cambridge, where each college maintains independence while remaining part of the broader university. 

Université Paris-Saclay brings together ten constituent faculties and institutes — including 5 faculties, 3 University Institutes of Technology, a University Engineering School and an Observatory of the Sciences of the Universe — as well as four component-institutions: AgroParisTech, CentraleSupélec, Institut d'Optique Graduate School, and ENS Paris-Saclay. It also works with laboratories shared with France's major national research organisations: CEA, CNRS, Inrae, Inria, Inserm, and Onera. 

The university has approximately 48,000 enrolled students, including 9,000 master's students and 4,600 doctoral students. Current professors at Université Paris-Saclay include 11 Fields Medal laureates in mathematics, 4 Abel Prize laureates, 4 Wolf Prize laureates, and 2 Nobel Prize laureates in Physics. Recent awardees include the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Alain Aspect (current professor and doctoral alumnus), and the 2022 Fields Medal laureate Hugo Duminil-Copin (current professor and master's alumnus). 

As of 2025, 12 Fields Medalists and 5 Nobel Prize winners have been affiliated with the university and its associated research institutes. Every year since 2020, Paris-Saclay has achieved its best performance in the Shanghai rankings, ranking 1st in the world in mathematics and 9th in physics. The university has over 275 laboratories in particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, atomic physics and molecular physics, condensed matter physics, theoretical physics, electronics, nanoscience and nanotechnology. 

The university represents 13% of all French R&D. In July 2023, Paris-Saclay was awarded the University Innovation Cluster label (PUI — Pôle universitaire d'innovation), uniting thirteen major players from the local innovation ecosystem and fifteen partners to develop innovation addressing current and future societal challenges. 

Université Paris-Saclay ranks at the top of the list of cheapest universities in France for international students, offering renowned courses and innovation support at low fees — with equal fees for non-EU students in several programs. 

Intakes

Université Paris-Saclay follows the French academic calendar:

• Autumn Intake (September) — Primary intake for all Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs
• Spring Intake (January/February) — Available for some Master's and PhD programs only

Application Deadlines (Indicative):

Most programs at Paris-Saclay University adhere to the standard French academic calendar, with courses starting in September for the Fall intake. This is when the majority of programs begin, especially for international students. A Spring intake is available for some programs, with courses starting in January or February — this intake is less common and depends on the specific structure of the program.

Note: International students from outside the EU must apply via Campus France in their country before applying directly to the university. Always verify deadlines on the official Paris-Saclay website (universite-paris-saclay.fr/en).

Top Courses

Paris-Saclay offers a complete and varied range of training courses from undergraduate degrees to PhDs, recognised for their quality thanks to the reputation and commitment of its teaching staff. It is cutting-edge, with a predominantly scientific focus but also recognised for its training in human and social sciences. 

The university is structured into 5 thematic graduate schools and departments covering all major fields. Key programs and constituent schools include:

• Faculty of Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science) — BSc/MSc in Mathematics, MSc in Pure Mathematics, MSc in Probability & Statistics (joint with CentraleSupélec & ENS Paris-Saclay), MSc in Quantum Physics, MSc in Nuclear Energy (with CEA), MSc in Computer Science, MSc in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
• CentraleSupélec — Ingénieur CentraleSupélec (elite 5-year program), MSc in Electrical Engineering, MSc in Smart Energy Systems, MSc in Industrial Engineering & Innovation Management
• ENS Paris-Saclay — Normalien Program (elite 3-year fellowship-based program), MSc in Mathematics, MSc in Computational Mechanics, MSc in Photonics, MSc in Social Sciences
• AgroParisTech — MSc in Agriculture and Food, MSc in Life Sciences, MSc in Environmental Engineering, MSc in Forestry Science (joint program)
• Institut d'Optique Graduate School — MSc in Photonics, MSc in Quantum Technologies, MSc in Lasers & Optics
• Faculty of Medicine and Health — MD in Medicine (Single-Cycle, in French), MSc in Public Health, MSc in Biomedical Research
• Faculty of Pharmacy — MSc in Pharmacy, MSc in Drug Development, MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Faculty of Law, Economics and Management — BSc/MSc in Law, MSc in Economic Analysis, MSc in Public Policy
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences — MA in Philosophy, MA in History, MA in Political Science
• PhD Programs — 16 Doctoral Schools covering all disciplines; fully funded positions widely available through CEA, CNRS, INRIA, INSERM partnerships

Cost of Studying at Université Paris-Saclay

Université Paris-Saclay ranks at the top of the cheapest universities in France for international students, offering equal fees for non-EU students in several programs. The average tuition fee at public French universities ranges between €170 and €650 per year for both EU and non-EU students in many programs. 

The Campus Contribution (CVEC) for the academic year 2025–2026 is €105. This is an annual contribution that provides social, health, cultural, and sports support for students. Students granted scholarships on social grounds, refugees, and persons benefiting from subsidiary protection are exempt from paying the CVEC.

Tuition fees at Paris-Saclay are as low as €170 per year for certain programs, making it one of the most affordable top-20 research universities in the world. 

Note: Public university programs at Paris-Saclay are extremely affordable compared to equivalent-ranking universities globally. CentraleSupélec and grande école fees are higher. Verify latest fees at universite-paris-saclay.fr/en/admission/tuition-fees.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for international students at Paris-Saclay, including those offered by the French government through the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme and specific funding from Paris-Saclay University itself. For research-oriented degrees, the university's laboratories and collaborating institutions frequently open funded PhD positions that not only waive tuition fees but also provide monthly stipends. 

Key scholarships for international students include:

Admissions

The acceptance rate at Paris-Saclay varies by program — ranging from approximately 10–20% for master's programs, reflecting the university's commitment to maintaining high educational standards and attracting top-tier talent across various disciplines. Bachelor's programs are more accessible, with an overall institutional acceptance rate closer to 22%.

For Undergraduate Programs (Licence / BSc):

• High school diploma (French Baccalauréat or equivalent 12-year qualification)
• Strong academic record with emphasis on mathematics and sciences for science programs
• French language proficiency (DELF/DALF B2 minimum for French-taught programs)
• IELTS 5.0–6.5 / TOEFL iBT 72+ for English-taught programs
• Application via Campus France (mandatory for non-EU students)

For Postgraduate Programs (Master's):

• Bachelor's degree (Licence or equivalent, 3 years / 180 ECTS) in a relevant discipline
• Strong academic record (typically 3.0–3.7/4.0 GPA; highly competitive programs require near-perfect grades)
• IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL iBT 80+ for English-taught programs
• French proficiency (B2–C1 CEFR) for French-taught programs; DELF/DALF certification
• Motivational Letter / Statement of Purpose
• CV / Résumé
• 2–3 Letters of Recommendation
• Application via Campus France or directly via the Paris-Saclay portal (varies by program)

For PhD Programs:

• Master's degree with a strong research record
• Research proposal and supervisor agreement
• Funded positions require competitive application through doctoral school calls
• IELTS 6.0+ / TOEFL iBT 72+ (or French proficiency depending on lab)
• Most PhD contracts are awarded competitively — check each doctoral school portal

Placements

Paris-Saclay University has an impressive 88% placement rate. Students are connected to the wider Paris-Saclay innovation ecosystem — a cluster that represents 13% of all French R&D — and to France's biggest corporations and research bodies. 

It is possible to remain in France for an additional 18 months after graduation to find employment, through the graduate job-search visa, which allows working without an employer offer in advance. 

Paris-Saclay's location within France's top R&D cluster — home to the CEA, CNRS, INRIA, Thales, Airbus, Safran, Renault, EDF, Sanofi, and hundreds of start-ups — gives graduates among the best career access in France. The university's alumni and research collaborations span all major sectors of the economy.

Key career sectors for Paris-Saclay graduates:

• Research & Academia — CNRS, CEA, INRIA, INSERM, ONERA, top European universities, EU research agencies
• Technology & AI — Thales, Dassault Systèmes, Cap Gemini, Atos, Google Paris, Meta AI, NVIDIA Research
• Energy & Climate — EDF, TotalEnergies, Engie, Schneider Electric, CEA nuclear research divisions
• Aerospace & Defence — Airbus, Safran, ONERA, Naval Group, ArianeGroup
• Finance & Consulting — BNP Paribas, Société Générale, AXA, Natixis, McKinsey, BCG
• Life Sciences & Pharma — Sanofi, Servier, Institut Gustave Roussy, AP-HP (Greater Paris University Hospitals)

Jobs After Graduating from Université Paris-Saclay

Note: Salary figures are indicative gross monthly values for first-job graduates in France. Actual salaries vary by school, program, employer, sector, and experience.

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