75 Best universities for Theoretical 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 Theoretical Physics. A graph of 1.06M citations received by 38.3K academic papers made by 75 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. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Theoretical Physics

#13 in Europe

#43 in the World

Enrollment: 31,400
Founded: 2014

3. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Theoretical Physics

#17 in Europe

#48 in the World

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

4. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Theoretical Physics

#75 in Europe

#160 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

5. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#80 in Europe

#171 in the World

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

6. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#84 in Europe

#177 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

7. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theoretical Physics

#87 in Europe

#183 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

8. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Theoretical Physics

#113 in Europe

#238 in the World

Enrollment: 46,578
Founded: 1289

9. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Theoretical Physics

#117 in Europe

#244 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

10. Cergy-Pontoise University

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Theoretical Physics

#125 in Europe

#262 in the World

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

11. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Theoretical Physics

#140 in Europe

#285 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

12. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Theoretical Physics

#147 in Europe

#302 in the World

Enrollment: 78,000
Founded: 2012

13. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#160 in Europe

#329 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

14. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Theoretical Physics

#174 in Europe

#364 in the World

Enrollment: 28,333
Founded: 1965

15. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Theoretical Physics

#182 in Europe

#377 in the World

Enrollment: 54,000
Founded: 1441

16. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Theoretical Physics

#190 in Europe

#397 in the World

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

17. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Theoretical Physics

#191 in Europe

#398 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

18. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Theoretical Physics

#195 in Europe

#413 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

19. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Theoretical Physics

#216 in Europe

#465 in the World

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

20. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#219 in Europe

#477 in the World

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

21. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Theoretical Physics

#225 in Europe

#495 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

22. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Theoretical Physics

#233 in Europe

#513 in the World

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

23. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Theoretical Physics

#252 in Europe

#561 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

24. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Theoretical Physics

#253 in Europe

#564 in the World

Enrollment: 21,550
Founded: 1423

25. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Theoretical Physics

#254 in Europe

#567 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 2018

26. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Theoretical Physics

#269 in Europe

#621 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

27. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Theoretical Physics

#296 in Europe

#711 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

28. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#325 in Europe

#823 in the World

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

29. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Theoretical Physics

#340 in Europe

#882 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Theoretical Physics

#341 in Europe

#885 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

31. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Theoretical Physics

#342 in Europe

#886 in the World

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

32. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Theoretical Physics

#343 in Europe

#887 in the World

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

33. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Theoretical Physics

#350 in Europe

#920 in the World

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

34. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Theoretical Physics

#356 in Europe

#935 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

35. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Theoretical Physics

#359 in Europe

#939 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

36. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Theoretical Physics

#366 in Europe

#974 in the World

Enrollment: 14,735
Founded: 1979

37. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Theoretical Physics

#382 in Europe

#1029 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

38. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Theoretical Physics

#388 in Europe

#1043 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

39. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#391 in Europe

#1054 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#392 in Europe

#1059 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

41. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Theoretical Physics

#403 in Europe

#1092 in the World

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

42. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#404 in Europe

#1095 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

43. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Theoretical Physics

#406 in Europe

#1097 in the World

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

44. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Theoretical Physics

#412 in Europe

#1109 in the World

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

45. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Theoretical Physics

#414 in Europe

#1116 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

46. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Theoretical Physics

#425 in Europe

#1157 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

47. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Theoretical Physics

#426 in Europe

#1159 in the World

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

48. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#435 in Europe

#1214 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

49. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Theoretical Physics

#436 in Europe

#1218 in the World

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

50. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Theoretical Physics

#440 in Europe

#1236 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

51. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Theoretical Physics

#442 in Europe

#1244 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

52. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theoretical Physics

#452 in Europe

#1280 in the World

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

53. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Theoretical Physics

#467 in Europe

#1332 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

54. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Theoretical Physics

#470 in Europe

#1358 in the World

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

55. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Theoretical Physics

#473 in Europe

#1362 in the World

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

56. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Theoretical Physics

#475 in Europe

#1366 in the World

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

57. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Theoretical Physics

#477 in Europe

#1369 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

58. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Theoretical Physics

#479 in Europe

#1383 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

59. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#481 in Europe

#1388 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

60. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For Theoretical Physics

#484 in Europe

#1398 in the World

Enrollment: 2,073
Founded: 1966

61. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Theoretical Physics

#487 in Europe

#1419 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

62. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Theoretical Physics

#492 in Europe

#1439 in the World

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

63. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#499 in Europe

#1467 in the World

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

64. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#515 in Europe

#1533 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

65. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#532 in Europe

#1614 in the World

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

66. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Theoretical Physics

#540 in Europe

#1674 in the World

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

67. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#549 in Europe

#1714 in the World

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

68. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Theoretical Physics

#556 in Europe

#1772 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

69. National Engineering School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Futuroscope

For Theoretical Physics

#561 in Europe

#1799 in the World

Enrollment: 768
Founded: 1948

70. Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#572 in Europe

#1836 in the World

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

71. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#573 in Europe

#1854 in the World

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

72. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Theoretical Physics

#580 in Europe

#1900 in the World

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

73. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Theoretical Physics

#584 in Europe

#1918 in the World

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

74. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Theoretical Physics

#589 in Europe

#1958 in the World

Enrollment: 818
Founded: 1976

75. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Theoretical Physics

#602 in Europe

#2025 in the World

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

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

Physics subfields in France

Acoustical Engineering118

Applied/Engineering Physics46

Astrophysics and Astronomy119

Atomic and Molecular physics72

Condensed Matter Physics81

Materials Science131

Medical Physics30

Nanotechnology99

Nuclear Physics89

Optical Engineering124

Quantum and Particle physics131