Studying in Paris
Paris is France’s capital and one of the world’s great student cities, with a dense cluster of historic universities and elite grandes écoles, unmatched museums and culture, and a compact, walkable centre. It is also by far the most expensive place to study in France.
Universities and major institutes
- Sorbonne University & Université Paris Cité
- Université PSL (incl. ENS, Dauphine)
- Université Paris-Saclay (nearby)
- Sciences Po
- École Polytechnique and HEC Paris (Île-de-France)
Cost of living
Paris has the highest living costs in France. A room or small studio typically runs €700–€1,200 per month, offset by an extensive metro and the discounted Imagine R student travel pass.
Neighbourhoods for students
- Quartier Latin (5th) — the historic student heart, around the Sorbonne.
- Cité Universitaire (14th) — the famous international student campus.
- Belleville / Ménilmontant (19th–20th) — lively, diverse, more affordable.
- Nearby suburbs — Saclay, Cachan, and others for grandes écoles, cheaper.
Institutions in Paris
Sciences Po
A selective Paris grande école renowned for political science, international relations, and public affairs.
Sorbonne University
A major Paris research university formed from the merger of Paris-Sorbonne and Pierre and Marie Curie universities.
Université Paris Cité
A large, research-intensive Paris university formed by the merger of Paris Descartes and Paris Diderot universities.
Université PSL
A selective Paris research grouping bringing together prestigious grandes écoles, schools, and research institutes.
Explore more: universities in France, cost of living, and student visas.