82 Best universities for Software Engineering in France

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in France ranked based on their research performance in Software Engineering. A graph of 356K citations received by 24.2K academic papers made by 82 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 Software Engineering

#56 in Europe

#143 in the World

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

2. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Software Engineering

#91 in Europe

#203 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

3. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Software Engineering

#97 in Europe

#218 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

4. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Software Engineering

#116 in Europe

#249 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

5. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Software Engineering

#148 in Europe

#319 in the World

Enrollment: 31,400
Founded: 2014

6. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Software Engineering

#162 in Europe

#355 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 2018

7. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Software Engineering

#172 in Europe

#377 in the World

Enrollment: 54,000
Founded: 1441

8. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#173 in Europe

#379 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

9. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Software Engineering

#182 in Europe

#405 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 37,252
Founded: 1460

10. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#186 in Europe

#412 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

11. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Software Engineering

#210 in Europe

#470 in the World

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

12. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#221 in Europe

#490 in the World

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

13. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Software Engineering

#228 in Europe

#508 in the World

Enrollment: 28,333
Founded: 1965

14. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Software Engineering

#235 in Europe

#520 in the World

Enrollment: 46,578
Founded: 1289

15. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Software Engineering

#259 in Europe

#577 in the World

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

16. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Software Engineering

#278 in Europe

#623 in the World

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

17. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#285 in Europe

#637 in the World

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

18. Eurecom

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

For Software Engineering

#293 in Europe

#656 in the World

Founded: 1991

19. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For Software Engineering

#304 in Europe

#678 in the World

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

20. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Software Engineering

#305 in Europe

#679 in the World

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

21. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Software Engineering

#317 in Europe

#702 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

22. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Software Engineering

#318 in Europe

#704 in the World

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

23. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Software Engineering

#325 in Europe

#724 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

24. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Software Engineering

#345 in Europe

#774 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,316
Founded: 1794

25. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Software Engineering

#348 in Europe

#788 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

26. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Software Engineering

#356 in Europe

#806 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

27. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#359 in Europe

#813 in the World

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

28. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Software Engineering

#365 in Europe

#826 in the World

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

29. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Software Engineering

#369 in Europe

#831 in the World

Enrollment: 14,735
Founded: 1979

30. University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Belfort

For Software Engineering

#371 in Europe

#839 in the World

Enrollment: 2,455
Founded: 1999

31. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Software Engineering

#384 in Europe

#867 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

32. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#393 in Europe

#897 in the World

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

33. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Software Engineering

#399 in Europe

#916 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

34. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Software Engineering

#403 in Europe

#925 in the World

Enrollment: 78,000
Founded: 2012

35. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Software Engineering

#416 in Europe

#974 in the World

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

36. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Software Engineering

#421 in Europe

#984 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

37. National Engineering School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Futuroscope

For Software Engineering

#424 in Europe

#990 in the World

Enrollment: 768
Founded: 1948

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Software Engineering

#429 in Europe

#1005 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

39. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Software Engineering

#435 in Europe

#1030 in the World

Enrollment: 21,550
Founded: 1423

40. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Software Engineering

#439 in Europe

#1041 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 25,078
Founded: 1431

41. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Software Engineering

#446 in Europe

#1057 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 27,490
Founded: 1970

42. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Software Engineering

#447 in Europe

#1065 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

43. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Software Engineering

#461 in Europe

#1094 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

44. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For Software Engineering

#464 in Europe

#1106 in the World

Enrollment: 2,073
Founded: 1966

45. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#465 in Europe

#1108 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

46. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#467 in Europe

#1112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

47. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Software Engineering

#470 in Europe

#1116 in the World

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

48. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Software Engineering

#472 in Europe

#1126 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

49. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Software Engineering

#482 in Europe

#1149 in the World

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

50. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Software Engineering

#483 in Europe

#1153 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

51. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Software Engineering

#499 in Europe

#1226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 11,091
Founded: 1992

52. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Software Engineering

#525 in Europe

#1299 in the World

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

53. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Software Engineering

#527 in Europe

#1302 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

54. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Software Engineering

#558 in Europe

#1439 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

55. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Software Engineering

#563 in Europe

#1460 in the World

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

56. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Software Engineering

#566 in Europe

#1478 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

57. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Software Engineering

#573 in Europe

#1501 in the World

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

58. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Software Engineering

#581 in Europe

#1554 in the World

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

59. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Software Engineering

#584 in Europe

#1568 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 2,009
Founded: 2003

60. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#589 in Europe

#1590 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 31,704
Founded: 2019

61. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Software Engineering

#596 in Europe

#1621 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

62. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Software Engineering

#598 in Europe

#1638 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

63. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Software Engineering

#599 in Europe

#1649 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

64. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Software Engineering

#607 in Europe

#1680 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

65. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Software Engineering

#613 in Europe

#1706 in the World

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

66. ESSEC Business School Paris

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Software Engineering

#614 in Europe

#1710 in the World

Founded: 1907

67. Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Software Engineering

#619 in Europe

#1734 in the World

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

68. National School of Engineering, Tarbes

Occitanie | Tarbes

For Software Engineering

#623 in Europe

#1747 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 1,215
Founded: 1963

69. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Software Engineering

#644 in Europe

#1843 in the World

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

70. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Software Engineering

#647 in Europe

#1866 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

71. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Software Engineering

#653 in Europe

#1894 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

72. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Software Engineering

#667 in Europe

#1931 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

73. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Software Engineering

#670 in Europe

#1934 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#676 in Europe

#1973 in the World

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

75. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Software Engineering

#678 in Europe

#2007 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

76. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Software Engineering

#694 in Europe

#2065 in the World

Enrollment: 818
Founded: 1976

77. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Software Engineering

#695 in Europe

#2069 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

78. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Software Engineering

#697 in Europe

#2091 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

79. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For Software Engineering

#706 in Europe

#2144 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

80. National School of Civil Aviation

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Software Engineering

#714 in Europe

#2173 in the World

Enrollment: 3,000
Founded: 1949

81. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Software Engineering

#722 in Europe

#2242 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

82. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Software Engineering

#746 in Europe

#2422 in the World

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

The best cities to study Software Engineering in France based on the number of universities and their ranks are Paris, Saint Martin d'Heres, Villeurbanne, and Toulouse.