89 Best universities for Nuclear Physics 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 Nuclear Physics. A graph of 3.83M citations received by 140K academic papers made by 89 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

#8 in Europe

#33 in the World

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

2. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Nuclear Physics

#9 in Europe

#34 in the World

Enrollment: 31,400
Founded: 2014

3. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Nuclear Physics

#18 in Europe

#64 in the World

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

4. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#41 in Europe

#121 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

5. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Nuclear Physics

#42 in Europe

#123 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

6. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Nuclear Physics

#65 in Europe

#161 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

7. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Nuclear Physics

#102 in Europe

#231 in the World

Enrollment: 46,578
Founded: 1289

8. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Nuclear Physics

#116 in Europe

#268 in the World

Enrollment: 54,000
Founded: 1441

9. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#136 in Europe

#316 in the World

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

10. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Nuclear Physics

#145 in Europe

#346 in the World

Enrollment: 78,000
Founded: 2012

11. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Nuclear Physics

#150 in Europe

#354 in the World

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

12. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Nuclear Physics

#157 in Europe

#368 in the World

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

13. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Nuclear Physics

#160 in Europe

#375 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

14. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Nuclear Physics

#168 in Europe

#391 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

15. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#190 in Europe

#432 in the World

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

16. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Nuclear Physics

#202 in Europe

#468 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

17. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Nuclear Physics

#210 in Europe

#492 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

18. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#222 in Europe

#521 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

19. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#223 in Europe

#522 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

20. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Nuclear Physics

#251 in Europe

#602 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 2018

21. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Nuclear Physics

#254 in Europe

#616 in the World

Enrollment: 28,333
Founded: 1965

22. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Nuclear Physics

#266 in Europe

#651 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

23. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#267 in Europe

#655 in the World

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

24. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Nuclear Physics

#274 in Europe

#674 in the World

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

25. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Nuclear Physics

#277 in Europe

#683 in the World

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

26. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Nuclear Physics

#293 in Europe

#729 in the World

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

27. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Nuclear Physics

#297 in Europe

#740 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

28. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#313 in Europe

#797 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

29. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Nuclear Physics

#315 in Europe

#806 in the World

Enrollment: 818
Founded: 1976

30. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Nuclear Physics

#316 in Europe

#807 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#319 in Europe

#821 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

32. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Nuclear Physics

#343 in Europe

#911 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

33. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Nuclear Physics

#349 in Europe

#923 in the World

Enrollment: 427
Founded: 1957

34. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Nuclear Physics

#354 in Europe

#954 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

35. National Graduate School of Chemistry of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Villeneuve-d'Ascq

For Nuclear Physics

#364 in Europe

#1012 in the World

Enrollment: 363
Founded: 1894

36. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#369 in Europe

#1026 in the World

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

37. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Nuclear Physics

#378 in Europe

#1076 in the World

Enrollment: 14,735
Founded: 1979

38. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Nuclear Physics

#380 in Europe

#1087 in the World

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

39. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Nuclear Physics

#381 in Europe

#1088 in the World

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

40. National Engineering School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Futuroscope

For Nuclear Physics

#386 in Europe

#1101 in the World

Enrollment: 768
Founded: 1948

41. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#388 in Europe

#1104 in the World

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

42. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Nuclear Physics

#389 in Europe

#1107 in the World

Enrollment: 21,550
Founded: 1423

43. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Nuclear Physics

#390 in Europe

#1112 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

44. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Nuclear Physics

#398 in Europe

#1143 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

45. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Nuclear Physics

#399 in Europe

#1145 in the World

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

46. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Nuclear Physics

#414 in Europe

#1223 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

47. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Nuclear Physics

#415 in Europe

#1233 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

48. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Nuclear Physics

#423 in Europe

#1278 in the World

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

49. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Nuclear Physics

#428 in Europe

#1305 in the World

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

50. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Nuclear Physics

#437 in Europe

#1350 in the World

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

51. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Nuclear Physics

#440 in Europe

#1357 in the World

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

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Nuclear Physics

#447 in Europe

#1380 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

53. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Nuclear Physics

#474 in Europe

#1492 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

54. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#483 in Europe

#1518 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

55. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For Nuclear Physics

#494 in Europe

#1564 in the World

Enrollment: 2,073
Founded: 1966

56. University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Belfort

For Nuclear Physics

#500 in Europe

#1598 in the World

Enrollment: 2,455
Founded: 1999

57. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Nuclear Physics

#501 in Europe

#1603 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

58. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Nuclear Physics

#503 in Europe

#1614 in the World

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

59. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Nuclear Physics

#515 in Europe

#1674 in the World

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

60. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Nuclear Physics

#523 in Europe

#1700 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

61. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#531 in Europe

#1748 in the World

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

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#546 in Europe

#1837 in the World

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

63. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Nuclear Physics

#559 in Europe

#1882 in the World

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

64. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Nuclear Physics

#578 in Europe

#1984 in the World

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

65. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Nuclear Physics

#591 in Europe

#2042 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

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

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Nuclear Physics

#592 in Europe

#2043 in the World

Founded: 1994

67. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Nuclear Physics

#615 in Europe

#2186 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

68. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Nuclear Physics

#618 in Europe

#2207 in the World

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

69. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For Nuclear Physics

#620 in Europe

#2213 in the World

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

70. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Nuclear Physics

#630 in Europe

#2243 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

71. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Nuclear Physics

#638 in Europe

#2274 in the World

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

72. Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Nuclear Physics

#642 in Europe

#2290 in the World

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

73. National School of Engineering - Saint Etienne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Nuclear Physics

#644 in Europe

#2304 in the World

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

74. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Nuclear Physics

#653 in Europe

#2373 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

75. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Nuclear Physics

#657 in Europe

#2423 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

76. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Nuclear Physics

#666 in Europe

#2440 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

77. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#674 in Europe

#2525 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

78. National Veterinary School of Alfort

Ile-de-France | Maisons-Alfort

For Nuclear Physics

#684 in Europe

#2566 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1765

79. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#692 in Europe

#2614 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

80. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Nuclear Physics

#703 in Europe

#2651 in the World

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

81. National School Mines - Telecom Lille Douai

Hauts-de-France | Douai

For Nuclear Physics

#726 in Europe

#2781 in the World

Founded: 2017

82. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Nuclear Physics

#740 in Europe

#2879 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

83. National Engineering Graduate School of Mechanics and Microtechnologies

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Nuclear Physics

#753 in Europe

#2968 in the World

Enrollment: 762
Founded: 1902

84. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Nuclear Physics

#759 in Europe

#2983 in the World

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

85. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Nuclear Physics

#760 in Europe

#2984 in the World

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

86. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For Nuclear Physics

#767 in Europe

#3030 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

87. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Nuclear Physics

#773 in Europe

#3060 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

88. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Nuclear Physics

#822 in Europe

#3307 in the World

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

89. University of New Caledonia

New Caledonia | Noumea

For Nuclear Physics

#861 in Europe

#3523 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 Physics46

Astrophysics and Astronomy119

Atomic and Molecular physics72

Condensed Matter Physics81

Materials Science131

Medical Physics30

Nanotechnology99

Optical Engineering124

Quantum and Particle physics131

Theoretical Physics75