Top French Universities for Arts & Humanities (2025)

1. Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

A powerhouse in the global Arts & Humanities rankings, Paris 1 leads the way among French institutions. It consistently ranks within the top 100 worldwide and secures its position in disciplines like Archaeology, History, Law, Art History, Philosophy, and Classics & Ancient History often in the global top 25.

2. PSL Research University (Paris Sciences et Lettres)

Ranked #24 globally by QS (2025), PSL excels across disciplines with special strength in Arts & Humanities, as well as Natural Sciences and Social Sciences—making it France’s most multidisciplinary research institution.

3. Sorbonne University

Sorbonne is a celebrated hub for literature, history, languages, and cultural studies. It ranks within the top 100 globally for Arts & Humanities and consistently features within the top 63 worldwide by overall QS ranking.

4. Aix-Marseille University (AMU)

As one of the largest French-speaking universities, AMU offers a dynamic academic environment in Arts, Humanities, Political Science, and Law across multiple campuses. It’s known for interdisciplinary learning and strong international student support.

5. Sciences Po Paris

While primarily focused on social sciences, Sciences Po remains a global leader in Political Science, International Relations, and humanities-adjacent fields. It ranks within the top global programs and boasts a 50% international student body.

Additional Noteworthy Institutions

•École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS Lyon) – Strong in research training for humanities; highly selective and supports PhD scholars.

•Université Paris-Saclay  While known for STEM, it also offers excellent humanities and social sciences programs.

•Université Paris Cité (merger of Paris-Descartes and Paris-Diderot) – Noted for arts, humanities, and interdisciplinary studies.

•Université Grenoble Alpes & Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris III) – Highly regarded for humanities, social sciences, and languages.

In Summary

•Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne tops in Humanities with outstanding subject specific rankings.

•PSL University brings interdisciplinary strength and elite research prestige.

•Sorbonne University offers depth in traditional arts and humanities studies.

•AMU provides broad access and supportive environments for international learners.

•Sciences Po is ideal for international relations, politics, and socially-driven humanities careers.

•For focused academic and research training: ENS Lyon, Paris-Saclay, Paris Cité, and Grenoble Alpes are excellent choices.