Humanity is at the heart of
Paris Cité University, a public research university in the French capital. Once a simple division of the bigger University of Paris, it has become its own prominent educational institution devoted to studying, highlighting, and pushing humanity forward. From sciences and health to humanities and social sciences, the school's programs delve deep into what it means to be human and how to heal humans. Unsurprisingly, Paris Cité University has also produced notable graduates who have gone on to change the world in exciting ways.
Source: Université Paris Cité Facebook Page
History of Paris Cité University
In 1970, former Minister of Education Edgar Faure drafted reforms to change the French university system. With the help of various academics of the time, Faure managed to change the said system, resulting in the division of the bigger University of
Paris. Part of the many educational institutions at the time were Paris Descartes and Paris Diderot. On March 20, 2019, another decree was created, this time merging both universities. Thus, the Paris Cité University was born. While the institution itself (or rather, its current iteration) is fairly new, the university stands on the history and legacy of the schools that came before it.
What Does Paris Cité University Look Like?
Paris Cité University has two campuses in two central districts. The first and main one is on Rue de l'École de Médecine in the
6th arrondissement. It's a grand, neoclassical building at the heart of the city. The second is the Grands-Moulins University campus in the
13th arrondissement, a more modern structure that's fairly reminiscent of the city's famous Haussmann architecture. Both campuses house 21 separate facilities among them, including the school's many departments. The medical school, for example, is in the Saints-Pères university center near the main campus.
Source: Université Paris Cité Facebook Page
The Paris Cité University Student Body
Unsurprisingly, Paris Cité University has one of the biggest student bodies among the
international schools in Paris. The institution welcomes about 64,100 enrollees annually, including new applicants and returning students. This is also a reflection of just how prestigious the university is. Paris Cité University is actually pretty selective, only accepting about 11% of its undergraduate applicants per year. Admission to its master's degree programs is even smaller—only about 1.7% of the applicants get in. So even with such exclusivity, the fact that the school has a 64,100-student body proves how many people apply here.
Paris Cité University's Best Programs and Courses
It's fairly hard to pinpoint Paris Cité University's best programs since it's such an expansive and diverse school. It's not a university that specializes and is devoted to just one field. Paris Cité University offers extensive courses in various studies, from medicine to science and more. Nevertheless, the school has gained much prominence for its humanities and social sciences programs. Here you can get a Master's Degree in International Law, Banking & Finance, Literature, and Environmental Sustainability, among many others. Its medical school is popular too, even though it only offers a Master's Degree in Public Health.
Source: Université Paris Cité Facebook Page
Paris Cité University’s Prerequisites
One of the best things about Paris Cité University is that it's specifically open to welcoming international students. For one thing, the school has gone out of its way to partner up with other higher educational institutions around the world. This makes it easier for students to go on exchange programs, allowing them to study in the Paris-based university by enrolling in local schools. As for those applying to Paris Cité University independently, you only need to show at least a high school diploma for undergraduate programs or a Bachelor's Degree in any related field for postgraduate courses. You'll also need at least a 6.5 IELTS score for your English proficiency.
How Much Does It Cost to Study at Paris Cité University?
Despite how prestigious it is, Paris Cité University imposes fairly affordable tuition fees. Its undergraduate programs, for example, cost about €170.00 per year. Master's Degree courses, on the other hand, cost about €243.00 per year. And if you're studying for a doctorate, expect to pay €380.00 per year. These fees also come with an additional campus life contribution (CVEC), which is a flat €100.00 per year. Don't forget about the registration fees too, which can vary by about 2% each year. All in all, these are a far cry from the thousands and tens of thousands you'll pay in tuition fees in the city's other schools.
Source: Université Paris Cité Facebook Page
Where is Paris Cité University in Paris?
As already mentioned, Paris Cité University has two campuses in two different
neighborhoods in Paris. Its main campus on Rue de l'École de Médecine is right by the city's famous Saint-Germain-des-Près district. The area embodies the chic and idyllic Parisian lifestyle, filled with beautiful cafes, upscale restaurants, fascinating shops, and more. History and heritage reign supreme here, boasting years of cultural significance in Paris. Fortunately, the district is also where you'll find many of the best
luxury apartments in Paris. You can rent a place here, perhaps share it with roommates too, and stay close to the school.
Paris Cité University's Famous Graduates
Paris Cité University boasts one of the most impressive alumni lists among the many universities in Paris. For instance, countless current and former French politicians have graduated here. They include Cécile Duflot, Jérôme Chartier, Delphine Batho, Richard Ferrand, and François Fillon, to name a few. Naturally, sociologists and theorists have graduated from here too. Among the most prominent is Nouria Benghabrit-Remaoun, an Algerian sociologist who served as the Minister of National Education in Algeria. You can also include Jon Elster, a social and political theorist, in that list too. He currently holds the Robert K. Merton professorship at Columbia University, one of the most prestigious Ivy League schools in the US.
Source: Université Paris Cité Facebook Page
Learning all about humanity and its society is what Paris Cité University. That's why it's one of the most prestigious universities in Paris, one that never fails to draw in students and scholars from all around the world.
