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8 Best PhD Science Universities in France

PSL University tops our list of 8 PhD Science universities in France at #28 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon (QS World #187) and Université de Toulouse-le-Mirail (Toulouse III) (QS World #580) complete the top three. Across the whole list there are 8 courses to choose from.

8 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

Science at other levels

Bachelor's Science Master's Science

By university type

Public Science universities

Popular collections

Public Universities Public Master's Universities Master's Universities Public Bachelor's Universities Bachelor's Universities Public Business & Management Universities Business & Management Universities Public Engineering Universities Engineering Universities Public Master's Business & Management Universities

How these universities are ranked

3 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #28 (PSL University) to #580 (Université de Toulouse-le-Mirail (Toulouse III)); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: Université de Toulouse-le-Mirail (Toulouse III) is cited most (9,589,783 citations).

Public, private and where they are

8 are public and 0 private (100% public). By location, Île-de-France (1) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is PSL University, founded in 2010. PSL University is the largest, with 17,000 students.

Levels, lengths and start dates

The usual length is 4–6 years and 3 years. 100% are full-time. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake). SKEMA Business School offers the widest choice, with 1 of these courses.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best university in France for PhD Science?

PSL University (QS World #28), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon (QS World #187) and Université de Toulouse-le-Mirail (Toulouse III) (QS World #580) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

How many public universities offer PhD Science in France?

8 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a PhD Science course take in France?

Most listed courses run 4–6 years, with 3 years the next most common.

When do PhD Science courses start in France?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then.

Which university has the most PhD Science courses in France?

SKEMA Business School, with 1, ahead of Université de Technologie de Troyes (1).

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