100 Best universities for Neuroscience 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 Neuroscience. A graph of 6.07M citations received by 179K academic papers made by 118 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 Neuroscience

#9 in Europe

#50 in the World

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

2. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Neuroscience

#55 in Europe

#167 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

3. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Neuroscience

#63 in Europe

#182 in the World

Enrollment: 46,845
Founded: 1441

4. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Neuroscience

#108 in Europe

#284 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

5. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Neuroscience

#125 in Europe

#327 in the World

Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1289

6. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Neuroscience

#128 in Europe

#335 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

7. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Neuroscience

#146 in Europe

#375 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

8. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Neuroscience

#156 in Europe

#404 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

9. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#167 in Europe

#428 in the World

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

10. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Neuroscience

#171 in Europe

#440 in the World

Enrollment: 69,000
Founded: 2018

11. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Neuroscience

#173 in Europe

#442 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

12. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#183 in Europe

#463 in the World

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

13. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Neuroscience

#189 in Europe

#482 in the World

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

14. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Neuroscience

#207 in Europe

#534 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

15. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Neuroscience

#219 in Europe

#561 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

16. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Neuroscience

#237 in Europe

#593 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

17. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Neuroscience

#243 in Europe

#626 in the World

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

18. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#262 in Europe

#709 in the World

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

19. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Neuroscience

#274 in Europe

#734 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Neuroscience

#278 in Europe

#745 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

21. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Neuroscience

#282 in Europe

#760 in the World

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

22. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Neuroscience

#290 in Europe

#783 in the World

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

23. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Neuroscience

#301 in Europe

#808 in the World

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

24. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Neuroscience

#318 in Europe

#889 in the World

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

25. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Neuroscience

#335 in Europe

#958 in the World

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

26. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Neuroscience

#356 in Europe

#1017 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

27. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Neuroscience

#359 in Europe

#1025 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

28. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#362 in Europe

#1042 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

29. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Neuroscience

#364 in Europe

#1049 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

30. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Neuroscience

#374 in Europe

#1077 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

31. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Neuroscience

#404 in Europe

#1180 in the World

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

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#412 in Europe

#1207 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

33. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Neuroscience

#415 in Europe

#1235 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

34. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#431 in Europe

#1328 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

35. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Neuroscience

#433 in Europe

#1344 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

36. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Neuroscience

#439 in Europe

#1359 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

37. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Neuroscience

#440 in Europe

#1362 in the World

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

38. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Neuroscience

#452 in Europe

#1410 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

39. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Neuroscience

#454 in Europe

#1416 in the World

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

40. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Neuroscience

#477 in Europe

#1513 in the World

Enrollment: 14,498
Founded: 1979

41. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Neuroscience

#490 in Europe

#1557 in the World

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

42. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Neuroscience

#518 in Europe

#1645 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

43. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Neuroscience

#519 in Europe

#1651 in the World

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

44. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#535 in Europe

#1733 in the World

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

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#537 in Europe

#1740 in the World

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

46. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Neuroscience

#549 in Europe

#1790 in the World

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

47. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#550 in Europe

#1794 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

48. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Neuroscience

#563 in Europe

#1863 in the World

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

49. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#564 in Europe

#1871 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

50. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Neuroscience

#569 in Europe

#1898 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

51. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Neuroscience

#580 in Europe

#1959 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

52. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#590 in Europe

#1999 in the World

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

53. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Neuroscience

#614 in Europe

#2103 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

54. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Neuroscience

#619 in Europe

#2116 in the World

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

55. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Neuroscience

#626 in Europe

#2135 in the World

Enrollment: 427
Founded: 1957

56. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Neuroscience

#630 in Europe

#2188 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

57. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Neuroscience

#635 in Europe

#2224 in the World

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

58. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#651 in Europe

#2299 in the World

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

59. National Veterinary School of Alfort

Ile-de-France | Maisons-Alfort

For Neuroscience

#653 in Europe

#2316 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1765

60. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#654 in Europe

#2320 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

61. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#656 in Europe

#2322 in the World

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

62. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For Neuroscience

#664 in Europe

#2356 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

63. National Veterinary School of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Neuroscience

#667 in Europe

#2361 in the World

Founded: 1828

64. Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Neuroscience

#670 in Europe

#2371 in the World

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

65. HEC School of Management

Ile-de-France | Jouy-en-Josas

For Neuroscience

#675 in Europe

#2394 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 5,453
Founded: 1881

66. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For Neuroscience

#695 in Europe

#2492 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

67. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#704 in Europe

#2521 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

68. EHESP School of Public Health

Brittany | Rennes

For Neuroscience

#706 in Europe

#2532 in the World

Enrollment: 433
Founded: 1945

69. ESCP Europe

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#711 in Europe

#2560 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1819

70. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Neuroscience

#716 in Europe

#2582 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

71. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Neuroscience

#718 in Europe

#2589 in the World

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

72. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Neuroscience

#729 in Europe

#2656 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

73. Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Neuroscience

#739 in Europe

#2706 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 1,700
Founded: 2007

74. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Neuroscience

#744 in Europe

#2743 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

75. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Neuroscience

#747 in Europe

#2756 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

76. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Neuroscience

#760 in Europe

#2813 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

77. EMLYON Business School

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Neuroscience

#777 in Europe

#2905 in the World

Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 1872

78. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Neuroscience

#779 in Europe

#2928 in the World

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

79. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Neuroscience

#780 in Europe

#2940 in the World

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

80. Jean Moulin University Lyon 3

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Neuroscience

#803 in Europe

#3054 in the World

Enrollment: 26,754
Founded: 1809

81. Kedge Business School

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Neuroscience

#817 in Europe

#3133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 14,800
Founded: 2013

82. ESSEC Business School Paris

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Neuroscience

#821 in Europe

#3155 in the World

Founded: 1907

83. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Neuroscience

#830 in Europe

#3202 in the World

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

84. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For Neuroscience

#836 in Europe

#3246 in the World

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

85. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Neuroscience

#838 in Europe

#3268 in the World

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

86. ENSEA Graduate School

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Neuroscience

#839 in Europe

#3279 in the World

Enrollment: 840
Founded: 1952

87. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For Neuroscience

#840 in Europe

#3280 in the World

Enrollment: 1,854
Founded: 1966

88. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Neuroscience

#844 in Europe

#3290 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

89. Grenoble Graduate School of Business

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Neuroscience

#847 in Europe

#3294 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1984

90. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Neuroscience

#854 in Europe

#3316 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

91. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Neuroscience

#855 in Europe

#3317 in the World

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

92. Lille Catholic University

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Neuroscience

#864 in Europe

#3360 in the World

Enrollment: 39,424
Founded: 1875

93. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Neuroscience

#869 in Europe

#3406 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

94. Toulouse Business School

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Neuroscience

#874 in Europe

#3464 in the World

Enrollment: 5,600
Founded: 1903

95. Pantheon-Assas Paris II University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Neuroscience

#884 in Europe

#3494 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 19,018
Founded: 1970

96. National School of Civil Aviation

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Neuroscience

#913 in Europe

#3639 in the World

Enrollment: 3,000
Founded: 1949

97. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Neuroscience

#929 in Europe

#3707 in the World

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

98. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Neuroscience

#932 in Europe

#3714 in the World

Enrollment: 818
Founded: 1976

99. Audencia Nantes School of Management

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Neuroscience

#949 in Europe

#3809 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1900

100. National Engineering School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Futuroscope

For Neuroscience

#973 in Europe

#3982 in the World

Enrollment: 768
Founded: 1948

The best cities to study Neuroscience in France based on the number of universities and their ranks are Paris, Villeurbanne, Bordeaux, and Marseille.