No doubt, many students are thrilled by the chance to study in France. The country is known not only for its tourist attractions and artistic culture but also for its strong higher education sector. Many scholars travel to France to study within the walls of its many educational institutions.
However, one of the challenges of studying in France is the language barrier. French can take time to learn, but many French institutions offer English-taught programs, allowing students to earn a degree while experiencing French culture.
In this article, we talk about some of France’s best English-taught universities.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in France
1. Paris Sciences et Lettres University
Among French universities with English-taught offerings, Paris Sciences et Lettres University/PSL University is a public university that brings together major Parisian institutions in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, engineering, and the arts. Its member and associated schools include Collège de France, Dauphine – PSL, École normale supérieure – PSL, Mines Paris – PSL, ESPCI Paris – PSL, Institut Curie, Observatoire de Paris – PSL, and other renowned schools. PSL also works with research organizations such as CNRS, Inria, and Inserm, as well as academic partners.
Despite being relatively young, PSL is regarded as one of the leading universities in France. Its official figures list about 17,000 students, around two-thirds of whom are enrolled in master’s or PhD programs, as well as 2,900 researchers and 140 laboratories.
PSL offers programs and tracks taught entirely or partially in English, including options from bachelor’s level to PhD tracks. Some programs are fully in English, such as the Master’s in Energy and the Master’s in Analysis and Policy in Economics. Other programs include English-taught tracks or a mix of French and English, so students should check the language requirements before applying.
2. Institut Polytechnique de Paris
The Polytechnic Institute of Paris or Institut Polytechnique de Paris is a public institution that now brings together six leading French engineering and science schools: École Polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, École des Ponts, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris, and Télécom SudParis. These schools come together to develop training programs and research. Individually, these institutions have contributed much to science and technology, producing Nobel laureates and prominent alumni.
When you pursue a program at the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, you can benefit from high-caliber engineering education, a research-focused environment, the chance to explore Paris, and a degree from a recognized French institution. Courses at the institute may be taught in French, English, or both, depending on the program.
The École Polytechnique, through the institute, offers a Bachelor of Science that is taught entirely in English and designed to be completed in three years. Students choose one of three double majors: Mathematics and Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science, or Mathematics and Economics. Besides the undergraduate program, the institute also offers master’s programs, PhD tracks, doctoral programs, engineering programs, advanced master’s programs, lifelong learning programs, and summer schools.
3. Paris Institute of Political Sciences (Sciences Po)
More commonly known as Sciences Po, the Paris Institute of Political Sciences is another prominent English-taught institution in France. Sciences Po was founded in 1872 as the École Libre des Sciences Politiques. Today, it has a distinctive structure that includes the private, independent Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques and the Institut d’Études Politiques, which focuses on teaching. Sciences Po hosts around 15,000 students, about half of whom are international students from 150 countries.
Many international students choose Sciences Po not only because it is one of France’s top educational institutions but also because it offers programs taught entirely in English at the undergraduate and graduate levels. French proficiency is not required to enroll in these English-taught programs, and students can take intensive French language courses while studying.
Sciences Po offers three-year bachelor’s degree programs and English-taught dual bachelor’s degree programs with partner universities such as Columbia University, Keio University, National University of Singapore, the University of British Columbia, the University of California, Berkeley, University College London, the University of Hong Kong, and the University of Sydney. Graduate students may also pursue English-taught master’s programs or dual master’s degree programs. The institute also offers an English-taught PhD in Economics at the Sciences Po School of Research.
4. Université de Paris
The University of Paris, now known as Université Paris Cité, is a public institution that was created in 2019 through the merger of Paris Descartes, Paris Diderot, and the Institut de physique du globe de Paris. Despite being established later than many other institutions, this university has developed a strong international profile as a major multidisciplinary institution in France.
The university is a member of the Circle U. European University Alliance, a network of nine European universities that collaborate across disciplines in research, teaching, and innovation.
Université Paris Cité offers various English-taught degree programs, some of which may also include French-taught components. Its current English-taught list is mainly composed of master’s programs in the sciences, the Institut de physique du globe de Paris, humanities and social sciences, and health. Examples include biomedical engineering tracks such as BioMechanics, Molecular and Cellular Biotherapies, NeuroTechnologies, and BioImaging. Because language requirements differ by program, applicants should verify the language of instruction on the specific program page before applying.
5. American University of Paris
The American University of Paris is a well-known English-language institution in France. Established as a liberal arts college in 1962, it is now an urban, independent, international university in Paris. The school attracts students and faculty from diverse backgrounds and nationalities.
Although the American University of Paris may not be as highly ranked as some of the other universities on this list, it is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It is also accredited by the Delaware Department of Education with full degree-granting authority. In France, the university is declared to the Rectorat de Paris as an établissement privé d’enseignement supérieur libre and has maintained its right to exercise since 1964. Some programs, including the MA in Global Communications and the MSc in Strategic Brand Management, also hold French RNCP recognition.
The university’s main language of instruction is English. Students can earn undergraduate degrees while taking classes in English, and AUP also offers master’s programs in fields such as diplomacy and international law, global communications, international affairs, international management, human rights and data science, and strategic brand management. Areas of study include history, computer science, mathematics, psychology, management, communications, diplomacy, and international law.
Studying in France does not have to be a struggle. If you want to enroll in an English-taught program but are not fluent in French, you can still take that bold step. You can learn French while studying a program of your choice in English.
We hope you found this article on the best English-taught schools in France informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe and Study in France for more study opportunities and insightful articles.
