Universities: France enters the global top ten

Twenty-seven ranked institutions and a national rise in the 2026 edition.

27 établissementsTop 10ResearchShanghai 2026

Twenty-seven ranked institutions and a national rise in the 2026 edition.

0127 établissements02Top 1003Research

In this file01 · The result 02 · What the ranking measures 03 · Choosing a university 04 · Source

The result

The 2026 Shanghai ranking places France among the world's top ten countries, with 27 French institutions included.

Key points✦ 27 établissements✦ Top 10✦ Research✦ Shanghai 2026

What the ranking measures

The ranking emphasises research output, citations and scientific awards. It does not capture every programme or the student experience, but it does illuminate research strength.

Universities: France enters the global top ten · 1 — FRA9 · 01

Universities: France enters the global top ten · 2 — FRA9 · 02

Universities: France enters the global top ten · 3 — FRA9 · 03

Choosing a university

Applicants should combine reputation with programme content, teaching language, city costs, career outcomes and admission rules. Overall rank should never replace programme-level research.

Source

French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, 15 August 2026.