France remains one of Europe’s major study destinations for international students. In 2024-2025, about 443,500 foreign students were enrolled in French higher education institutions, representing about 15% of all students in the country. Europe also has some of the best universities in the world. You could become one of many international graduates who achieve their goals through these institutions.
France is currently one of the world’s leading host countries for international students. However, admissions in France are program-specific, and some French universities, degree levels, and tracks can still be selective.
If your academic record is not the strongest, it is better to focus on universities and programs where your profile matches the published requirements.
In this article, we list French universities that are often considered more accessible than highly selective grandes écoles and explain what international applicants should check before applying.
Universities in France with High Rates of Acceptance
1. Université Sorbonne Paris Nord
- Estimated Acceptance Rate: 80%
Located north of Paris, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord is a multidisciplinary public university with about 25,000 students and campuses serving areas such as Villetaneuse, Bobigny, Saint-Denis, La Plaine Saint-Denis, and Argenteuil.
Applicants should check the admissions route for the program they want to enter. The university provides services for international students, including French as a Foreign Language courses, DELF/DALF preparation, libraries across its campuses, and other student support services.
2. University of Bordeaux Montaigne
- Estimated Acceptance Rate: 70%
Bordeaux Montaigne University is connected to the long academic history of Bordeaux, whose original university was founded in 1441. The modern Bordeaux Montaigne University focuses on arts, languages, literature, humanities, and social sciences.
Today, Bordeaux Montaigne University has approximately 17,000 students and 1,300 teachers and staff. It offers nationally recognized diplomas through three university faculties: Humanities; Languages and Civilisations; and Territorial and Communication Sciences. It also includes the Bordeaux Montaigne University Institute of Technology and the Bordeaux Aquitaine Institute of Journalism.
3. University of Rouen Normandie
- Estimated Acceptance Rate: 70%
The University of Rouen Normandie was founded in 1966. Located in Normandy, it is a multidisciplinary public university with about 34,000 students, 12 educational components, and hundreds of degree options.
Students should review the program-specific admissions process before applying. For housing, students generally rely on CROUS and other local options; CROUS Normandy offers residence places in the region, but accommodation is not automatically guaranteed by the university.
4. University of Nantes
- Estimated Acceptance Rate: 60%
Nantes Université traces its academic roots to an original university founded in 1460, while the modern University of Nantes was founded in 1970. A new public higher education and research institution, Nantes Université, was created on January 1, 2022.
The institution is organized into four colleges, Humanities, Health Science, Science and Technology, and Societies, and six member institutions, including Centrale Nantes and Nantes’ university hospital. International applicants should use the admissions procedure that matches their level of study and status as an exchange or non-exchange student.
5. University of Angers
- Estimated Acceptance Rate: 60%
Concluding this list is the University of Angers, also known as Université d’Angers. It has medieval academic roots and was reconstituted in 1971, nearly two centuries after its suppression during the French Revolution.
The university has more than 25,000 students and nearly 2,000 staff members. It is spread across three campuses in Angers and additional campuses in nearby towns, offering programs in fields such as science, languages, humanities, technology, engineering, law, economics, business, tourism, and health sciences.
6. University of Strasbourg
- Estimated Acceptance Rate: 60%
The University of Strasbourg traces its roots to a Protestant Gymnasium founded in 1538, which became a university in 1621. Today, it is a large public research university with about 56,000 students, including around 13,000 international students. It offers programs across the arts, law, economics, social sciences, humanities, science, technology, and health.
International applicants should check the requirements for their specific program. Many degree programs require French proficiency, while some international courses and certificates are taught in English. Depending on your country of residence and level of study, you may need to apply through the Études en France/Campus France process, Parcoursup, eCandidat, or another university platform.
7. Sorbonne University
Sorbonne University was created on January 1, 2018, through the merger of Paris-Sorbonne University and Pierre and Marie Curie University. It is structured into three faculties: arts and humanities; science and engineering; and medicine/health sciences.
The institution enrolls more than 53,000 students, including about 11,500 international students. It offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, and it is especially known for research in the humanities, science, engineering, medicine, and related fields.
International applicants should review the requirements for their faculty and program. French fluency is generally expected at B2 or higher for arts and humanities and science and engineering programs, while medicine programs generally require C1 French.
8. Université Paris-Saclay
- Estimated Acceptance Rate: 50%
Université Paris-Saclay is based south of Paris and includes major sites such as Orsay, as well as departments and partner institutions across the Paris-Saclay area.
Université Paris-Saclay is now one of France’s leading research universities. In the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities, it ranked 13th in the world and first in France and continental Europe. Its mathematics programs are especially strong, with the university ranked second worldwide in mathematics in the 2025 Shanghai subject ranking.
International applicants should follow the procedure for their level of study. Undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral admissions each have separate rules, and students from countries covered by the Études en France procedure must use the relevant Campus France process when required.
FAQs: Studying in France
Is It Easy to Get Admitted to Universities in France?
It depends on the university, degree level, program, and applicant profile. Some French public university programs are more accessible than highly selective grandes écoles, but admission is not automatic. International applicants should check the academic, language, document, and application-platform requirements for each program.
Students who live in a country covered by the Études en France procedure generally need to use the Campus France/Études en France platform. Other applicants may need to use Parcoursup, Mon Master, eCandidat, or a university-specific platform, depending on the level and program.
With the universities above to choose from, you should compare the official requirements carefully and apply to programs that match your academic background, language level, and goals.
We hope this article on universities in France with high acceptance rates was helpful. If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out Available Programs in Europe for International Students.
