100 Best universities for Biology in France

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in France ranked based on their research performance in Biology. A graph of 45.7M citations received by 1.37M academic papers made by 135 universities in France was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Pierre and Marie Curie University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#9 in Europe

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 35,114
Founded: 1150

2. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Biology

#47 in Europe

#157 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

3. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Biology

#90 in Europe

#261 in the World

Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1289

4. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Biology

#93 in Europe

#264 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

5. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Biology

#113 in Europe

#320 in the World

Enrollment: 46,845
Founded: 1441

6. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Biology

#116 in Europe

#323 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

7. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Biology

#126 in Europe

#350 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

8. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Biology

#143 in Europe

#397 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

9. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Biology

#167 in Europe

#452 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

10. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Biology

#181 in Europe

#494 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 60,404
Founded: 2012

11. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#182 in Europe

#499 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 31,690
Founded: 2019

12. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Biology

#184 in Europe

#506 in the World

Enrollment: 69,000
Founded: 2018

13. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#225 in Europe

#647 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,536
Founded: 1794

14. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Biology

#229 in Europe

#663 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,690
Founded: 1854

15. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Biology

#237 in Europe

#683 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

16. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#242 in Europe

#696 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 25,523
Founded: 1970

17. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Biology

#246 in Europe

#710 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

18. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Biology

#257 in Europe

#740 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1460

19. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Biology

#258 in Europe

#749 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

20. Paris-Est Creteil Val-de-Marne University

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Biology

#270 in Europe

#781 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

21. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Biology

#275 in Europe

#802 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,790
Founded: 1794

22. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Biology

#281 in Europe

#817 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

23. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Biology

#293 in Europe

#865 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,820
Founded: 1431

24. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Biology

#302 in Europe

#897 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,465
Founded: 1432

25. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Biology

#305 in Europe

#906 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

26. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Biology

#306 in Europe

#911 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

27. Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#332 in Europe

#1012 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 2,300
Founded: 2007

28. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Biology

#336 in Europe

#1026 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

29. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Biology

#343 in Europe

#1050 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 25,687
Founded: 1971

30. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Biology

#356 in Europe

#1100 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

31. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Biology

#358 in Europe

#1104 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

32. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Biology

#365 in Europe

#1125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 27,900
Founded: 1970

33. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Biology

#367 in Europe

#1129 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

34. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Biology

#391 in Europe

#1211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 7,646
Founded: 1900

35. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#406 in Europe

#1289 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

36. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Biology

#409 in Europe

#1298 in the World

Enrollment: 427
Founded: 1957

37. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Biology

#414 in Europe

#1323 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

38. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Biology

#420 in Europe

#1346 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

39. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Biology

#421 in Europe

#1347 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 6,067
Founded: 1957

40. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Biology

#445 in Europe

#1450 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

41. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#466 in Europe

#1546 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1783

42. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Biology

#468 in Europe

#1555 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 8,238
Founded: 1970

43. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For Biology

#470 in Europe

#1561 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

44. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Biology

#471 in Europe

#1565 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 4,367
Founded: 1972

45. National Veterinary School of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Biology

#478 in Europe

#1584 in the World

Founded: 1828

46. School of Industrial Physics and Chemistry of the City of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#491 in Europe

#1662 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

47. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Biology

#498 in Europe

#1687 in the World

Enrollment: 14,498
Founded: 1979

48. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Biology

#518 in Europe

#1817 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 3,077
Founded: 1963

49. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Biology

#530 in Europe

#1858 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

50. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#533 in Europe

#1875 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1780

51. National Veterinary School of Alfort

Ile-de-France | Maisons-Alfort

For Biology

#534 in Europe

#1877 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1765

52. Graduate School of Chemistry, Physics and Electronics, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Biology

#537 in Europe

#1891 in the World

Founded: 1994

53. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Biology

#539 in Europe

#1903 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

54. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#548 in Europe

#1953 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 11,196
Founded: 1872

55. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Biology

#549 in Europe

#1956 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 2,920
Founded: 1857

56. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Biology

#552 in Europe

#1976 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 12,629
Founded: 1970

57. National Graduate School of Chemistry of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Villeneuve-d'Ascq

For Biology

#554 in Europe

#1986 in the World

Enrollment: 363
Founded: 1894

58. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Biology

#556 in Europe

#1989 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

59. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Biology

#563 in Europe

#2065 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

60. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#568 in Europe

#2083 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

61. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Biology

#569 in Europe

#2086 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 12,051
Founded: 1992

62. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Biology

#573 in Europe

#2102 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

63. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Biology

#581 in Europe

#2161 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,003
Founded: 1985

64. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#587 in Europe

#2183 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

65. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Biology

#589 in Europe

#2188 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

66. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#590 in Europe

#2191 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

67. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Biology

#606 in Europe

#2264 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

68. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Biology

#608 in Europe

#2268 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

69. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Biology

#609 in Europe

#2271 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

70. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Biology

#632 in Europe

#2426 in the World

Enrollment: 818
Founded: 1976

71. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Biology

#634 in Europe

#2443 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 22,023
Founded: 1968

72. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#648 in Europe

#2525 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

73. EHESP School of Public Health

Brittany | Rennes

For Biology

#650 in Europe

#2528 in the World

Enrollment: 433
Founded: 1945

74. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Biology

#651 in Europe

#2533 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

75. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Biology

#662 in Europe

#2619 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

76. University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Belfort

For Biology

#669 in Europe

#2677 in the World

Enrollment: 2,455
Founded: 1999

77. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Biology

#670 in Europe

#2678 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 4,300
Founded: 1894

78. Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Biology

#689 in Europe

#2785 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 21,997
Founded: 1970

79. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Biology

#695 in Europe

#2811 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 5,993
Founded: 2007

80. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#700 in Europe

#2835 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 15,232
Founded: 1971

81. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Biology

#716 in Europe

#2896 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

82. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Biology

#720 in Europe

#2922 in the World

Enrollment: 9,477
Male:Female: 53:47
Founded: 1995

83. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Biology

#735 in Europe

#2981 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 7,591
Founded: 1984

84. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Biology

#739 in Europe

#2993 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

85. University of French Polynesia

French Polynesia | Puna'auia

For Biology

#751 in Europe

#3056 in the World

Enrollment: 2,944
Founded: 1987

86. University of New Caledonia

New Caledonia | Noumea

For Biology

#755 in Europe

#3069 in the World

Enrollment: 3,536
Founded: 1987

87. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Biology

#756 in Europe

#3072 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Enrollment: 2,287
Founded: 1919

88. University of the French West Indies

Guadeloupe | Pointe-a-Pitre

For Biology

#757 in Europe

#3073 in the World

Enrollment: 11,593
Founded: 1850

89. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Biology

#769 in Europe

#3120 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

90. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For Biology

#772 in Europe

#3128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 3,196
Male:Female: 77:23
Founded: 1994

91. Higher National Institute of Agricultural Science, Food and Environment

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Biology

#777 in Europe

#3152 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 2009

92. University of French Guiana

French Guiana | Cayenne

For Biology

#808 in Europe

#3326 in the World

Enrollment: 2,580
Founded: 2014

93. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For Biology

#827 in Europe

#3423 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

94. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For Biology

#830 in Europe

#3457 in the World

Enrollment: 1,854
Founded: 1966

95. National Engineering School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Futuroscope

For Biology

#839 in Europe

#3489 in the World

Enrollment: 768
Founded: 1948

96. Cergy-Pontoise University

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Biology

#851 in Europe

#3562 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 20,784
Founded: 1991

97. Eurecom

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Biot Sophia-Antipolis

For Biology

#864 in Europe

#3637 in the World

Founded: 1991

98. Jean Moulin University Lyon 3

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Biology

#873 in Europe

#3698 in the World

Enrollment: 26,754
Founded: 1809

99. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Biology

#893 in Europe

#3820 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

100. ESSEC Business School Paris

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Biology

#901 in Europe

#3880 in the World

Founded: 1907

The best cities to study Biology in France based on the number of universities and their ranks are Paris, Villeurbanne, Montpellier, and Orsay.