100 Best universities for Philosophy in France

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in France ranked based on their research performance in Philosophy. A graph of 8.38M citations received by 706K academic papers made by 130 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 Philosophy

#4 in Europe

#26 in the World

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

2. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Philosophy

#30 in Europe

#105 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

3. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Philosophy

#41 in Europe

#128 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

4. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#47 in Europe

#138 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

5. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#49 in Europe

#143 in the World

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

6. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Philosophy

#58 in Europe

#160 in the World

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

7. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Philosophy

#68 in Europe

#177 in the World

Enrollment: 57,000
Founded: 1339

8. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Philosophy

#75 in Europe

#189 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

9. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#80 in Europe

#195 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

10. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Philosophy

#81 in Europe

#197 in the World

Enrollment: 71,429
Founded: 2018

11. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Philosophy

#99 in Europe

#231 in the World

Enrollment: 54,000
Founded: 1441

12. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Philosophy

#103 in Europe

#246 in the World

Enrollment: 46,578
Founded: 1289

13. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Philosophy

#104 in Europe

#248 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

14. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#111 in Europe

#262 in the World

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

15. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Philosophy

#114 in Europe

#267 in the World

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

16. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Philosophy

#118 in Europe

#272 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

17. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#143 in Europe

#325 in the World

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

18. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Philosophy

#146 in Europe

#338 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

19. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Philosophy

#156 in Europe

#362 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

20. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Philosophy

#184 in Europe

#428 in the World

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

21. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#194 in Europe

#446 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

22. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#202 in Europe

#470 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

23. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Philosophy

#204 in Europe

#477 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

24. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#205 in Europe

#478 in the World

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

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Philosophy

#206 in Europe

#482 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

26. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Philosophy

#214 in Europe

#494 in the World

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

27. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#225 in Europe

#524 in the World

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

28. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Philosophy

#235 in Europe

#544 in the World

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

29. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Philosophy

#249 in Europe

#576 in the World

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

30. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Philosophy

#253 in Europe

#586 in the World

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

31. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Philosophy

#264 in Europe

#628 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

32. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Philosophy

#280 in Europe

#667 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

33. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#282 in Europe

#671 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

34. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Philosophy

#283 in Europe

#672 in the World

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

35. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Philosophy

#310 in Europe

#773 in the World

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

36. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Philosophy

#312 in Europe

#783 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

37. Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Philosophy

#317 in Europe

#798 in the World

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

38. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For Philosophy

#318 in Europe

#800 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

39. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Philosophy

#330 in Europe

#833 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

40. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Philosophy

#335 in Europe

#842 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

41. Jean Moulin University Lyon 3

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#338 in Europe

#856 in the World

Enrollment: 26,754
Founded: 1809

42. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Philosophy

#341 in Europe

#861 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

43. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#344 in Europe

#870 in the World

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

44. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Philosophy

#348 in Europe

#879 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

45. EHESP School of Public Health

Brittany | Rennes

For Philosophy

#357 in Europe

#904 in the World

Enrollment: 433
Founded: 1945

46. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Philosophy

#360 in Europe

#917 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

47. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#370 in Europe

#947 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

48. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Philosophy

#375 in Europe

#958 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

49. Pantheon-Assas Paris II University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#392 in Europe

#998 in the World

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

50. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Philosophy

#409 in Europe

#1052 in the World

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

51. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Philosophy

#413 in Europe

#1070 in the World

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

52. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Philosophy

#418 in Europe

#1081 in the World

Enrollment: 14,735
Founded: 1979

53. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Philosophy

#420 in Europe

#1086 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

54. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Philosophy

#425 in Europe

#1103 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

55. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Philosophy

#432 in Europe

#1129 in the World

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

56. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Philosophy

#435 in Europe

#1140 in the World

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

57. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Philosophy

#453 in Europe

#1219 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

58. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#455 in Europe

#1229 in the World

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

59. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#456 in Europe

#1233 in the World

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

60. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Philosophy

#476 in Europe

#1322 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

61. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Philosophy

#479 in Europe

#1331 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

62. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Philosophy

#480 in Europe

#1338 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

63. Catholic University of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#486 in Europe

#1353 in the World

Founded: 1875

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#488 in Europe

#1358 in the World

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

65. EMLYON Business School

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#503 in Europe

#1404 in the World

Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 1872

66. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Philosophy

#511 in Europe

#1433 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

67. Lille Catholic University

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Philosophy

#520 in Europe

#1454 in the World

Enrollment: 32,000
Founded: 1875

68. HEC School of Management

Ile-de-France | Jouy-en-Josas

For Philosophy

#521 in Europe

#1455 in the World

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

69. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Philosophy

#538 in Europe

#1521 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

70. ESSEC Business School Paris

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Philosophy

#539 in Europe

#1527 in the World

Founded: 1907

71. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Philosophy

#541 in Europe

#1532 in the World

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

72. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Philosophy

#546 in Europe

#1554 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

73. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For Philosophy

#561 in Europe

#1613 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

74. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Philosophy

#564 in Europe

#1641 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

75. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Philosophy

#567 in Europe

#1654 in the World

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

76. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Philosophy

#610 in Europe

#1838 in the World

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

77. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Philosophy

#613 in Europe

#1849 in the World

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

78. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Philosophy

#619 in Europe

#1883 in the World

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

79. University of the French West Indies

Guadeloupe | Pointe-a-Pitre

For Philosophy

#625 in Europe

#1910 in the World

Enrollment: 11,593
Founded: 1850

80. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Philosophy

#638 in Europe

#1961 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

81. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Philosophy

#645 in Europe

#2016 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

82. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#656 in Europe

#2052 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

83. Audencia Nantes School of Management

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Philosophy

#659 in Europe

#2068 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1900

84. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Philosophy

#678 in Europe

#2120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 5,687
Founded: 2007

85. University of French Polynesia

French Polynesia | Puna'auia

For Philosophy

#684 in Europe

#2138 in the World

Enrollment: 2,944
Founded: 1987

86. Kedge Business School

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Philosophy

#700 in Europe

#2192 in the World

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

87. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For Philosophy

#703 in Europe

#2196 in the World

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

88. Catholic University of the West

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Philosophy

#710 in Europe

#2216 in the World

Enrollment: 11,400
Founded: 1875

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#726 in Europe

#2276 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

90. Eurecom

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

For Philosophy

#727 in Europe

#2277 in the World

Founded: 1991

91. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Philosophy

#732 in Europe

#2310 in the World

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

92. ESCP Europe

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#737 in Europe

#2334 in the World

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

93. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Philosophy

#742 in Europe

#2371 in the World

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

94. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Philosophy

#745 in Europe

#2385 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

95. SKEMA Business School

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Philosophy

#752 in Europe

#2420 in the World

Founded: 1892

96. EDHEC Business School

Hauts-de-France | Roubaix

For Philosophy

#753 in Europe

#2423 in the World

Founded: 1906

97. National School of Statistics and Economic Administration

Ile-de-France | Malakoff

For Philosophy

#759 in Europe

#2440 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1942

98. Grenoble Graduate School of Business

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Philosophy

#765 in Europe

#2477 in the World

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

99. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#766 in Europe

#2478 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

100. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Philosophy

#772 in Europe

#2500 in the World

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

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

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in France

Broadcast Journalism5

Classics and Ancient History64

Communications and Public Relations68

Criminology and Criminal Justice23

Early Childhood Education8

Education Majors90

Forensic Science8

Gender Studies43

Human Rights Law11

Intellectual Property and Patent Law19

International Law14

International Relations and Diplomacy13

Journalism and Digital Media29

Law Enforcement10

Library and Information science77

Media Studies27

Military science10

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution22

Occupational Safety and Health15

Political Economy25

Political Science128

Public Policy / Administration28

Radio and Television broadcasting4

Special Education23

Sports / Exercise science25

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies89

Urban and Regional planning26