91 Best universities for Nuclear Physics 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 Nuclear Physics. A graph of 5.85M citations received by 165K academic papers made by 91 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 Nuclear Physics

#10 in Europe

#40 in the World

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

2. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Nuclear Physics

#11 in Europe

#43 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

3. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Nuclear Physics

#20 in Europe

#67 in the World

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

4. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#43 in Europe

#126 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

5. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Nuclear Physics

#46 in Europe

#133 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

6. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Nuclear Physics

#82 in Europe

#192 in the World

Enrollment: 57,000
Founded: 1339

7. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#105 in Europe

#239 in the World

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

8. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Nuclear Physics

#107 in Europe

#244 in the World

Enrollment: 46,578
Founded: 1289

9. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Nuclear Physics

#120 in Europe

#276 in the World

Enrollment: 54,000
Founded: 1441

10. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Nuclear Physics

#133 in Europe

#316 in the World

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

11. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Nuclear Physics

#136 in Europe

#322 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

12. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Nuclear Physics

#148 in Europe

#350 in the World

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

13. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Nuclear Physics

#166 in Europe

#389 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

14. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Nuclear Physics

#172 in Europe

#398 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

15. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#199 in Europe

#477 in the World

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

16. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Nuclear Physics

#212 in Europe

#503 in the World

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

17. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Nuclear Physics

#217 in Europe

#511 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

18. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#231 in Europe

#554 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

19. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Nuclear Physics

#249 in Europe

#612 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

20. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Nuclear Physics

#251 in Europe

#622 in the World

Enrollment: 71,429
Founded: 2018

21. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#261 in Europe

#653 in the World

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

22. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Nuclear Physics

#262 in Europe

#665 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

23. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Nuclear Physics

#278 in Europe

#708 in the World

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

24. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Nuclear Physics

#283 in Europe

#722 in the World

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

25. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Nuclear Physics

#288 in Europe

#729 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

26. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Nuclear Physics

#291 in Europe

#738 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

27. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Nuclear Physics

#316 in Europe

#820 in the World

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

28. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#319 in Europe

#828 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

29. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Nuclear Physics

#321 in Europe

#834 in the World

Enrollment: 14,735
Founded: 1979

30. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Nuclear Physics

#325 in Europe

#847 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

31. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#327 in Europe

#853 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

32. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Nuclear Physics

#336 in Europe

#885 in the World

Enrollment: 818
Founded: 1976

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#346 in Europe

#915 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

34. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Nuclear Physics

#360 in Europe

#988 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

35. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Nuclear Physics

#361 in Europe

#991 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

36. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Nuclear Physics

#369 in Europe

#1022 in the World

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

37. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#377 in Europe

#1077 in the World

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

38. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Nuclear Physics

#381 in Europe

#1094 in the World

Enrollment: 427
Founded: 1957

39. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Nuclear Physics

#386 in Europe

#1116 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

40. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Nuclear Physics

#395 in Europe

#1167 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

41. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#400 in Europe

#1183 in the World

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

42. National Graduate School of Chemistry of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Villeneuve-d'Ascq

For Nuclear Physics

#402 in Europe

#1199 in the World

Enrollment: 363
Founded: 1894

43. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Nuclear Physics

#404 in Europe

#1211 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

44. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Nuclear Physics

#407 in Europe

#1219 in the World

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

45. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Nuclear Physics

#408 in Europe

#1222 in the World

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

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Nuclear Physics

#419 in Europe

#1273 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

47. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Nuclear Physics

#420 in Europe

#1280 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

48. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Nuclear Physics

#425 in Europe

#1294 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

49. National Engineering School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Futuroscope

For Nuclear Physics

#432 in Europe

#1347 in the World

Enrollment: 768
Founded: 1948

50. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Nuclear Physics

#435 in Europe

#1355 in the World

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

51. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Nuclear Physics

#439 in Europe

#1361 in the World

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

52. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Nuclear Physics

#446 in Europe

#1395 in the World

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

53. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Nuclear Physics

#458 in Europe

#1438 in the World

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

54. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#489 in Europe

#1573 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

55. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Nuclear Physics

#501 in Europe

#1638 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

56. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#508 in Europe

#1668 in the World

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

57. University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Belfort

For Nuclear Physics

#512 in Europe

#1685 in the World

Enrollment: 2,455
Founded: 1999

58. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For Nuclear Physics

#516 in Europe

#1701 in the World

Enrollment: 2,073
Founded: 1966

59. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Nuclear Physics

#517 in Europe

#1702 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

60. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Nuclear Physics

#528 in Europe

#1764 in the World

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

61. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Nuclear Physics

#531 in Europe

#1786 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

62. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Nuclear Physics

#551 in Europe

#1891 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#576 in Europe

#2037 in the World

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

64. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Nuclear Physics

#591 in Europe

#2098 in the World

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

65. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Nuclear Physics

#602 in Europe

#2144 in the World

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

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

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Nuclear Physics

#608 in Europe

#2168 in the World

Founded: 1994

67. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Nuclear Physics

#624 in Europe

#2237 in the World

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

68. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Nuclear Physics

#632 in Europe

#2297 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

69. Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#642 in Europe

#2366 in the World

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

70. National School of Engineering - Saint Etienne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Nuclear Physics

#644 in Europe

#2370 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 1,022
Founded: 1961

71. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Nuclear Physics

#647 in Europe

#2383 in the World

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

72. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Nuclear Physics

#654 in Europe

#2412 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

73. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For Nuclear Physics

#657 in Europe

#2438 in the World

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

74. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Nuclear Physics

#661 in Europe

#2464 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

75. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Nuclear Physics

#666 in Europe

#2490 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

76. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Nuclear Physics

#668 in Europe

#2502 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

77. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#674 in Europe

#2525 in the World

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

78. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Nuclear Physics

#680 in Europe

#2563 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

79. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#686 in Europe

#2612 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

80. National Veterinary School of Alfort

Ile-de-France | Maisons-Alfort

For Nuclear Physics

#706 in Europe

#2716 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1765

81. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#712 in Europe

#2751 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

82. National School Mines - Telecom Lille Douai

Hauts-de-France | Douai

For Nuclear Physics

#737 in Europe

#2887 in the World

Founded: 2017

83. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Nuclear Physics

#743 in Europe

#2914 in the World

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

84. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#763 in Europe

#3026 in the World

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

85. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For Nuclear Physics

#764 in Europe

#3028 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

86. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Nuclear Physics

#775 in Europe

#3077 in the World

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

87. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Nuclear Physics

#817 in Europe

#3305 in the World

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

88. National Engineering Graduate School of Mechanics and Microtechnologies

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Nuclear Physics

#820 in Europe

#3319 in the World

Enrollment: 762
Founded: 1902

89. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Nuclear Physics

#825 in Europe

#3329 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

90. Polytechnic Institute of Advanced Science

Ile-de-France | Ivry-sur-Seine

For Nuclear Physics

#837 in Europe

#3398 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Enrollment: 2,458
Founded: 1961

91. University of New Caledonia

New Caledonia | Noumea

For Nuclear Physics

#880 in Europe

#3627 in the World

Enrollment: 3,536
Founded: 1987

The best cities to study Nuclear Physics in France based on the number of universities and their ranks are Paris, Orsay, Palaiseau, and Toulouse.

Physics subfields in France

Acoustical Engineering118

Applied/Engineering Physics54

Astrophysics and Astronomy122

Atomic and Molecular physics74

Condensed Matter Physics80

Materials Science133

Medical Physics30

Nanotechnology100

Optical Engineering125

Quantum and Particle physics132

Theoretical Physics78