91 Best universities for Nuclear Physics 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 Nuclear Physics. A graph of 6.21M citations received by 168K 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

#38 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

#44 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

3. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Nuclear Physics

#20 in Europe

#68 in the World

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

4. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#43 in Europe

#128 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

#78 in Europe

#188 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

7. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#106 in Europe

#244 in the World

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

8. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Nuclear Physics

#107 in Europe

#245 in the World

Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1289

9. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Nuclear Physics

#120 in Europe

#279 in the World

Enrollment: 46,845
Founded: 1441

10. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Nuclear Physics

#131 in Europe

#313 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

#134 in Europe

#320 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

12. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Nuclear Physics

#147 in Europe

#348 in the World

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

13. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Nuclear Physics

#164 in Europe

#387 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

14. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Nuclear Physics

#165 in Europe

#388 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

15. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Nuclear Physics

#198 in Europe

#470 in the World

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

16. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#200 in Europe

#474 in the World

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

17. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Nuclear Physics

#217 in Europe

#515 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

18. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#230 in Europe

#557 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

19. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Nuclear Physics

#250 in Europe

#621 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

20. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Nuclear Physics

#252 in Europe

#627 in the World

Enrollment: 69,000
Founded: 2018

21. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#260 in Europe

#662 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

#668 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

23. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Nuclear Physics

#276 in Europe

#712 in the World

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

24. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Nuclear Physics

#283 in Europe

#734 in the World

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

25. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Nuclear Physics

#284 in Europe

#735 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

26. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Nuclear Physics

#290 in Europe

#752 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

27. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#316 in Europe

#822 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

28. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Nuclear Physics

#319 in Europe

#831 in the World

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

29. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Nuclear Physics

#321 in Europe

#840 in the World

Enrollment: 14,498
Founded: 1979

30. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Nuclear Physics

#327 in Europe

#856 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

31. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#328 in Europe

#860 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

32. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Nuclear Physics

#334 in Europe

#881 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

#347 in Europe

#930 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

34. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Nuclear Physics

#359 in Europe

#990 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

35. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Nuclear Physics

#364 in Europe

#1012 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

36. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Nuclear Physics

#370 in Europe

#1034 in the World

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

37. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Nuclear Physics

#377 in Europe

#1089 in the World

Enrollment: 427
Founded: 1957

38. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#379 in Europe

#1097 in the World

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

39. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Nuclear Physics

#387 in Europe

#1137 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

40. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#397 in Europe

#1190 in the World

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

41. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Nuclear Physics

#401 in Europe

#1201 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

42. National Graduate School of Chemistry of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Villeneuve-d'Ascq

For Nuclear Physics

#404 in Europe

#1218 in the World

Enrollment: 363
Founded: 1894

43. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Nuclear Physics

#405 in Europe

#1219 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

44. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Nuclear Physics

#406 in Europe

#1224 in the World

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

45. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Nuclear Physics

#409 in Europe

#1234 in the World

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

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Nuclear Physics

#417 in Europe

#1273 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

47. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Nuclear Physics

#423 in Europe

#1288 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

48. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Nuclear Physics

#424 in Europe

#1289 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

49. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Nuclear Physics

#434 in Europe

#1359 in the World

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

50. National Engineering School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Futuroscope

For Nuclear Physics

#435 in Europe

#1361 in the World

Enrollment: 768
Founded: 1948

51. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Nuclear Physics

#436 in Europe

#1363 in the World

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

52. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Nuclear Physics

#452 in Europe

#1429 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

#457 in Europe

#1443 in the World

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

54. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#491 in Europe

#1588 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

55. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Nuclear Physics

#497 in Europe

#1625 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

56. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#509 in Europe

#1675 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

#513 in Europe

#1691 in the World

Enrollment: 2,455
Founded: 1999

58. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Nuclear Physics

#514 in Europe

#1707 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

59. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For Nuclear Physics

#522 in Europe

#1734 in the World

Enrollment: 1,854
Founded: 1966

60. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Nuclear Physics

#530 in Europe

#1803 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

61. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Nuclear Physics

#531 in Europe

#1804 in the World

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

62. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Nuclear Physics

#546 in Europe

#1881 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

#575 in Europe

#2041 in the World

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

64. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Nuclear Physics

#590 in Europe

#2095 in the World

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

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

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Nuclear Physics

#603 in Europe

#2162 in the World

Founded: 1994

66. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Nuclear Physics

#604 in Europe

#2163 in the World

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

67. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Nuclear Physics

#619 in Europe

#2244 in the World

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

68. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Nuclear Physics

#631 in Europe

#2297 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

69. Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#641 in Europe

#2377 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

#649 in Europe

#2406 in the World

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

71. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Nuclear Physics

#654 in Europe

#2435 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

72. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For Nuclear Physics

#655 in Europe

#2440 in the World

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

73. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Nuclear Physics

#656 in Europe

#2442 in the World

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

74. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Nuclear Physics

#662 in Europe

#2465 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

#2489 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

76. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Nuclear Physics

#672 in Europe

#2513 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

77. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#678 in Europe

#2558 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

78. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Nuclear Physics

#683 in Europe

#2605 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

79. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#698 in Europe

#2682 in the World

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

80. National Veterinary School of Alfort

Ile-de-France | Maisons-Alfort

For Nuclear Physics

#702 in Europe

#2708 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1765

81. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#711 in Europe

#2755 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

82. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Nuclear Physics

#740 in Europe

#2910 in the World

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

83. National School Mines - Telecom Lille Douai

Hauts-de-France | Douai

For Nuclear Physics

#741 in Europe

#2914 in the World

Founded: 2017

84. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#755 in Europe

#2995 in the World

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

85. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For Nuclear Physics

#767 in Europe

#3046 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

86. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Nuclear Physics

#772 in Europe

#3062 in the World

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

87. Polytechnic Institute of Advanced Science

Ile-de-France | Ivry-sur-Seine

For Nuclear Physics

#822 in Europe

#3328 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Enrollment: 2,721
Founded: 1961

88. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Nuclear Physics

#823 in Europe

#3332 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

89. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Nuclear Physics

#825 in Europe

#3335 in the World

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

90. National Engineering Graduate School of Mechanics and Microtechnologies

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Nuclear Physics

#826 in Europe

#3337 in the World

Enrollment: 762
Founded: 1902

91. University of New Caledonia

New Caledonia | Noumea

For Nuclear Physics

#885 in Europe

#3662 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 Engineering119

Applied/Engineering Physics56

Astrophysics and Astronomy122

Atomic and Molecular physics74

Condensed Matter Physics81

Materials Science134

Medical Physics30

Nanotechnology100

Optical Engineering125

Quantum and Particle physics132

Theoretical Physics77