78 Best universities for Theoretical 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 Theoretical Physics. A graph of 1.69M citations received by 47.5K academic papers made by 78 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 Theoretical Physics

#4 in Europe

#17 in the World

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

2. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Theoretical Physics

#10 in Europe

#37 in the World

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

3. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Theoretical Physics

#11 in Europe

#39 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

4. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#31 in Europe

#85 in the World

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

5. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theoretical Physics

#78 in Europe

#161 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

6. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#81 in Europe

#165 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

7. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Theoretical Physics

#84 in Europe

#173 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

8. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Theoretical Physics

#113 in Europe

#230 in the World

Enrollment: 46,578
Founded: 1289

9. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Theoretical Physics

#120 in Europe

#254 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

10. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Theoretical Physics

#121 in Europe

#255 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

11. Cergy-Pontoise University

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Theoretical Physics

#144 in Europe

#301 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 20,784
Founded: 1991

12. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Theoretical Physics

#148 in Europe

#308 in the World

Enrollment: 57,000
Founded: 1339

13. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Theoretical Physics

#156 in Europe

#321 in the World

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

14. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Theoretical Physics

#161 in Europe

#336 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

15. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Theoretical Physics

#178 in Europe

#365 in the World

Enrollment: 54,000
Founded: 1441

16. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#179 in Europe

#367 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

17. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Theoretical Physics

#185 in Europe

#386 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

18. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#189 in Europe

#399 in the World

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

19. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Theoretical Physics

#192 in Europe

#403 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

20. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Theoretical Physics

#212 in Europe

#462 in the World

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

21. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Theoretical Physics

#213 in Europe

#463 in the World

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

22. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Theoretical Physics

#235 in Europe

#523 in the World

Enrollment: 71,429
Founded: 2018

23. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Theoretical Physics

#245 in Europe

#551 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

24. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Theoretical Physics

#252 in Europe

#575 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

25. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Theoretical Physics

#256 in Europe

#583 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

26. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Theoretical Physics

#260 in Europe

#591 in the World

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

27. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Theoretical Physics

#262 in Europe

#593 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

28. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Theoretical Physics

#268 in Europe

#605 in the World

Enrollment: 14,735
Founded: 1979

29. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Theoretical Physics

#306 in Europe

#730 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Theoretical Physics

#314 in Europe

#759 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

31. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Theoretical Physics

#317 in Europe

#768 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

32. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Theoretical Physics

#331 in Europe

#823 in the World

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

33. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Theoretical Physics

#334 in Europe

#842 in the World

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

34. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Theoretical Physics

#349 in Europe

#890 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

35. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#351 in Europe

#894 in the World

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

36. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#353 in Europe

#898 in the World

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

37. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Theoretical Physics

#370 in Europe

#966 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

38. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Theoretical Physics

#376 in Europe

#985 in the World

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

39. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Theoretical Physics

#389 in Europe

#1039 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

40. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#393 in Europe

#1054 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

41. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Theoretical Physics

#400 in Europe

#1078 in the World

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

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#401 in Europe

#1080 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

43. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Theoretical Physics

#405 in Europe

#1100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

44. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Theoretical Physics

#407 in Europe

#1114 in the World

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

45. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Theoretical Physics

#415 in Europe

#1135 in the World

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

46. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Theoretical Physics

#424 in Europe

#1176 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

47. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Theoretical Physics

#428 in Europe

#1192 in the World

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

48. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Theoretical Physics

#430 in Europe

#1195 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

49. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Theoretical Physics

#441 in Europe

#1263 in the World

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

50. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#447 in Europe

#1282 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

51. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Theoretical Physics

#448 in Europe

#1290 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

52. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#453 in Europe

#1307 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

53. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#464 in Europe

#1341 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

54. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Theoretical Physics

#465 in Europe

#1350 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

55. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Theoretical Physics

#468 in Europe

#1362 in the World

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

56. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#472 in Europe

#1387 in the World

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

57. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theoretical Physics

#480 in Europe

#1415 in the World

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

58. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Theoretical Physics

#490 in Europe

#1447 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

59. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Theoretical Physics

#491 in Europe

#1450 in the World

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

60. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Theoretical Physics

#492 in Europe

#1452 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

61. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Theoretical Physics

#500 in Europe

#1492 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

62. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Theoretical Physics

#502 in Europe

#1496 in the World

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

63. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Theoretical Physics

#504 in Europe

#1502 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

64. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#508 in Europe

#1534 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

65. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#523 in Europe

#1606 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

66. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Theoretical Physics

#553 in Europe

#1774 in the World

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

67. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Theoretical Physics

#560 in Europe

#1799 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

68. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Theoretical Physics

#570 in Europe

#1825 in the World

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

69. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#575 in Europe

#1848 in the World

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

70. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#577 in Europe

#1872 in the World

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

71. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Theoretical Physics

#581 in Europe

#1888 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

72. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For Theoretical Physics

#595 in Europe

#1983 in the World

Enrollment: 2,073
Founded: 1966

73. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#597 in Europe

#1991 in the World

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

74. Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#599 in Europe

#2010 in the World

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

75. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Theoretical Physics

#609 in Europe

#2074 in the World

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

76. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Theoretical Physics

#623 in Europe

#2174 in the World

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

77. National Engineering Graduate School of Mechanics and Microtechnologies

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Theoretical Physics

#626 in Europe

#2195 in the World

Enrollment: 762
Founded: 1902

78. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Theoretical Physics

#628 in Europe

#2208 in the World

Enrollment: 818
Founded: 1976

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

Physics subfields in France

Acoustical Engineering118

Applied/Engineering Physics54

Astrophysics and Astronomy122

Atomic and Molecular physics74

Condensed Matter Physics80

Materials Science133

Medical Physics30

Nanotechnology100

Nuclear Physics91

Optical Engineering125

Quantum and Particle physics132