Sorbonne University is the pinnacle of academics in the French capital. As the most prestigious university in Paris, it has accumulated as much praise, prominence, and accolades as the UK’s most famous colleges or even the Ivy League schools in the US. It's also one of the first universities in Europe, with a legacy that dates as far back as the Middle Ages. Today, it now serves as a public research university at the heart of Paris, providing the highest quality of education in one of the most important cities in the world.
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History of Sorbonne University
Sorbonne University is perhaps the oldest university in
Paris, possibly in all of Europe. Its legacy can be traced back to the Middle Ages, specifically in 1257 when French theologian Robert de Sorbon opened the College of Sorbonne. However, that school—or rather, that iteration of the school—closed down in 1793. After a university reform established by Edgar Faure in 1968, Sorbonne University of today got its start. And in 2010, various universities in Paris combined and all merged into what the higher educational institution it is today.
What Does Sorbonne University Look Like?
Also known as the University of Paris, Sorbonne University takes up valuable space in the
5th arrondissement. With a variety of buildings throughout the district, best known as the
Latin Quarter, the area has come to be known as the scholastic corner of the French capital. As for the university campus itself, it's a myriad of old-world buildings that reflect the grandeur of the city. Its undeniable centerpiece is the stately Sorbonne Chapel. Famous as the final resting place of Cardinal Richelieu, the chapel is a fairly famous tourist attraction on its own.
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The Sorbonne University Student Body
As the biggest university in Paris, perhaps even in the entire country, it's no surprise that Sorbonne University has a massive student body. The school welcomes about 52,000 students per year, including both new applicants and returning enrollees. It helps that the university is technically divided into various relatively independent higher educational institutions, making it easier for it to manage all of these students as a whole. At the same time, Sorbonne University also boasts a diverse student body, welcoming enrollees from over 60 different countries worldwide.
Sorbonne University's Best Programs and Courses
With a treasure trove of programs in store, which ones are Sorbonne University's best? Arguably, they’re the mathematic and science-centric courses. The school famously offers Master's Degrees in Computational Mechanics, Computer Science, and Higher Performance Computing, among many others. Moreover, let's remember that Sorbonne is a research university. It offers countless platforms for scholars of different subjects, from physics and chemistry to biology and even geology. These all just go to show that the university is and has always been focused on highlighting and pushing for academic excellence.
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Sorbonne University’s Prerequisites
As one of the most prestigious
international schools in Paris, Sorbonne University naturally imposes high prerequisites. For the minimum, you at least need a two-year high school diploma, especially for those applying for its undergraduate programs. For the three-year programs, which are mostly postgraduate, applicants will also need to have at least a non-French management degree. From this alone, it's obvious that Sorbonne University is strict in only accepting the best candidates for higher education. Even though the university has a big student body, it remains ever-exclusive in its academic standards.
How Much Does It Cost to Study at Sorbonne University?
Unsurprisingly, Sorbonne University also imposes fairly high tuition fees. It depends on your course though, as some programs cost more than others. Master's Degree programs, for example, range from €12,500.00 to €14,000.00 per year. Bachelor's Degree courses, on the other hand, range from €9,500.00 to €12,000.00. At the same time, the tuition fees for EU students are different from those of non-EU enrollees. The latter tends to be higher compared to the former. Add to that the additional costs, which tend to range from €9,500.00 to €11,000.00, you're looking to spend a lot for your education here.
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Where is Sorbonne University in Paris?
The Latin Quarter, one of the most popular
central neighborhoods in Paris is where you'll find Sorbonne University. Not to mention a flurry of other higher educational institutions too. Because of this, the Latin Quarter is best known for its more youthful residents, mostly comprised of university students and young professionals. These same young residents also go to the various cool cafes, hipster bars, and other hotspots that make up the area. More importantly, the
Paris luxury apartments to rent here tend to be more affordable than in other districts.
Sorbonne University's Famous Graduates
To say that Sorbon University has produced countless amazing graduates is a gross understatement. The university's alumni list is among the most impressive in the world, practically comparable to those of American Ivy League schools. There's Anne L'Huillier, for example, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2023. Yann LeCun, on the other hand, won the Turing Award in 2018. Among the more historic is Marie Curie, who didn't exactly study at Sorbonne University but worked as a professor. She was the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Source: Sorbonne Université Facebook Page
Sorbonne University is perhaps the most famous and the most prestigious university in Paris. Located at the heart of the city, it's the pinnacle of academic activity in the global metropolis. It's the ultimate educational institution in the French capital.
