100 Best universities for Philosophy 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 Philosophy. A graph of 9.18M citations received by 735K 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

#24 in the World

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

2. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Philosophy

#31 in Europe

#106 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

3. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Philosophy

#42 in Europe

#129 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

#48 in Europe

#139 in the World

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

6. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Philosophy

#56 in Europe

#156 in the World

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

7. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Philosophy

#66 in Europe

#173 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

8. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Philosophy

#77 in Europe

#191 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

9. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#81 in Europe

#197 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

10. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Philosophy

#83 in Europe

#199 in the World

Enrollment: 69,000
Founded: 2018

11. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Philosophy

#100 in Europe

#232 in the World

Enrollment: 46,845
Founded: 1441

12. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Philosophy

#103 in Europe

#238 in the World

Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1289

13. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Philosophy

#105 in Europe

#248 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

14. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#112 in Europe

#265 in the World

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

15. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Philosophy

#119 in Europe

#275 in the World

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

16. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Philosophy

#121 in Europe

#281 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

17. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#149 in Europe

#347 in the World

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

18. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Philosophy

#150 in Europe

#350 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

19. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Philosophy

#152 in Europe

#356 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

20. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Philosophy

#189 in Europe

#436 in the World

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

21. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#194 in Europe

#448 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

22. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#200 in Europe

#465 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

23. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Philosophy

#206 in Europe

#478 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Philosophy

#207 in Europe

#483 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

25. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#212 in Europe

#489 in the World

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

26. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Philosophy

#215 in Europe

#495 in the World

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

27. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#231 in Europe

#535 in the World

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

28. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Philosophy

#237 in Europe

#548 in the World

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

29. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Philosophy

#241 in Europe

#555 in the World

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

30. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Philosophy

#247 in Europe

#570 in the World

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

31. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Philosophy

#257 in Europe

#592 in the World

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

32. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Philosophy

#268 in Europe

#633 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

33. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#279 in Europe

#656 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

34. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Philosophy

#282 in Europe

#666 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

35. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Philosophy

#311 in Europe

#774 in the World

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

36. Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Philosophy

#316 in Europe

#786 in the World

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

37. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Philosophy

#317 in Europe

#787 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

38. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For Philosophy

#318 in Europe

#790 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

39. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Philosophy

#334 in Europe

#844 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

40. Jean Moulin University Lyon 3

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#335 in Europe

#849 in the World

Enrollment: 26,754
Founded: 1809

41. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Philosophy

#336 in Europe

#850 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

42. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#341 in Europe

#860 in the World

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

43. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Philosophy

#344 in Europe

#873 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

44. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Philosophy

#349 in Europe

#887 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

45. EHESP School of Public Health

Brittany | Rennes

For Philosophy

#358 in Europe

#921 in the World

Enrollment: 433
Founded: 1945

46. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Philosophy

#361 in Europe

#928 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

47. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#375 in Europe

#960 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

48. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Philosophy

#378 in Europe

#963 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

49. Pantheon-Assas Paris II University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#399 in Europe

#1021 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 Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Philosophy

#412 in Europe

#1064 in the World

Enrollment: 14,498
Founded: 1979

52. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Philosophy

#419 in Europe

#1087 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

53. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Philosophy

#420 in Europe

#1090 in the World

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

54. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Philosophy

#425 in Europe

#1101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

55. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Philosophy

#430 in Europe

#1130 in the World

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

56. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Philosophy

#435 in Europe

#1143 in the World

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

57. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#447 in Europe

#1210 in the World

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

58. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Philosophy

#454 in Europe

#1227 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

59. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#458 in Europe

#1236 in the World

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

60. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Philosophy

#472 in Europe

#1299 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#476 in Europe

#1319 in the World

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

62. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Philosophy

#481 in Europe

#1331 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

63. EMLYON Business School

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Philosophy

#489 in Europe

#1366 in the World

Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 1872

64. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Philosophy

#491 in Europe

#1370 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

65. Catholic University of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#492 in Europe

#1373 in the World

Founded: 1875

66. HEC School of Management

Ile-de-France | Jouy-en-Josas

For Philosophy

#512 in Europe

#1436 in the World

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

67. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Philosophy

#514 in Europe

#1447 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

68. Lille Catholic University

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Philosophy

#519 in Europe

#1457 in the World

Enrollment: 39,424
Founded: 1875

69. ESSEC Business School Paris

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Philosophy

#535 in Europe

#1506 in the World

Founded: 1907

70. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Philosophy

#541 in Europe

#1542 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

71. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Philosophy

#545 in Europe

#1552 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

#552 in Europe

#1575 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

73. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For Philosophy

#562 in Europe

#1634 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

74. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Philosophy

#564 in Europe

#1642 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

75. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Philosophy

#577 in Europe

#1703 in the World

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

76. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Philosophy

#613 in Europe

#1854 in the World

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

77. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Philosophy

#616 in Europe

#1863 in the World

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

78. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Philosophy

#617 in Europe

#1864 in the World

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

79. University of the French West Indies

Guadeloupe | Pointe-a-Pitre

For Philosophy

#630 in Europe

#1938 in the World

Enrollment: 11,593
Founded: 1850

80. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Philosophy

#636 in Europe

#1964 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

81. Audencia Nantes School of Management

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Philosophy

#647 in Europe

#2008 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1900

82. Grenoble Graduate School of Business

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Philosophy

#648 in Europe

#2009 in the World

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

83. Kedge Business School

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Philosophy

#649 in Europe

#2014 in the World

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

84. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Philosophy

#654 in Europe

#2039 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

85. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#669 in Europe

#2089 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

86. University of French Polynesia

French Polynesia | Puna'auia

For Philosophy

#679 in Europe

#2118 in the World

Enrollment: 2,944
Founded: 1987

87. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Philosophy

#691 in Europe

#2155 in the World

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

88. Catholic University of the West

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Philosophy

#692 in Europe

#2166 in the World

Enrollment: 11,400
Founded: 1875

89. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For Philosophy

#712 in Europe

#2227 in the World

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

90. SKEMA Business School

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Philosophy

#729 in Europe

#2296 in the World

Founded: 1892

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#730 in Europe

#2302 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

92. Eurecom

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

For Philosophy

#731 in Europe

#2307 in the World

Founded: 1991

93. EDHEC Business School

Hauts-de-France | Roubaix

For Philosophy

#732 in Europe

#2313 in the World

Founded: 1906

94. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Philosophy

#738 in Europe

#2333 in the World

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

95. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Philosophy

#745 in Europe

#2367 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

96. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Philosophy

#751 in Europe

#2415 in the World

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

97. National School of Statistics and Economic Administration

Ile-de-France | Malakoff

For Philosophy

#761 in Europe

#2463 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1942

98. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#765 in Europe

#2477 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

99. ESCP Europe

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Philosophy

#771 in Europe

#2514 in the World

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

100. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Philosophy

#777 in Europe

#2543 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 History65

Communications and Public Relations68

Criminology and Criminal Justice23

Early Childhood Education8

Education Majors92

Forensic Science10

Gender Studies45

Human Rights Law11

Intellectual Property and Patent Law19

International Law14

International Relations and Diplomacy14

Journalism and Digital Media31

Law Enforcement10

Library and Information science80

Media Studies28

Military science11

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution22

Occupational Safety and Health15

Political Economy25

Political Science129

Public Policy / Administration31

Radio and Television broadcasting4

Special Education23

Sports / Exercise science29

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies89

Urban and Regional planning26