University Paris-Saclay

University Paris-Saclay Overview

Paris-Saclay University stands as a distinguished institution that emerged in 2019 from the merger of four prestigious technical grandes écoles, several technological institutes, engineering schools, and research centers. This amalgamation birthed a thriving academic community composed of fifteen constituent colleges, accommodating an impressive student populace exceeding 48,000 individuals.

The institution's primary mission is explicit – to ascend as a global leader in technological research, vying with renowned establishments like MIT and Tsinghua. Paris-Saclay University champions this goal by maintaining over 275 cutting-edge laboratories, specializing in an array of fields such as particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, molecular physics, electronics, nanoscience, and nanotechnology.

As an integral part of the expansive Paris-Saclay cluster, this academic powerhouse collaborates intimately with the Polytechnic Institute of Paris and houses a flourishing business cluster tailored for high-tech corporations, creating an environment that nurtures innovation. Furthermore, within its premises resides the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques, which has made pivotal contributions to the realm of modern mathematics, particularly in areas like algebraic geometry and catastrophe theory.

A testament to its scholarly excellence lies in its affiliation with distinguished scholars, with 11 Fields Medalists and 3 Nobel Prize laureates having ties to the university and its research institutions as of 2021. Its academic prowess finds further validation through its notable ranking as the leading university in France and among the top 15 globally, as per the prestigious Shanghai Ranking in 2023.

The journey of Paris-Saclay University is deeply rooted in the evolution of academic institutions in France. In 1971, it succeeded the University of Paris-Sud (Paris XI), tracing its origins back to around 1150 when the University of Paris was established. The pivotal events leading to the establishment of Paris-Saclay University commenced post-World War II when the burgeoning fields of nuclear physics and chemistry necessitated expansive research facilities. The faculties of the University of Paris, alongside institutions like the École Normale Supérieure and the Collège de France, sought space in the southern suburbs of Paris, ultimately resulting in the relocation of teaching activities to Orsay in 1956.

The exponential increase in student enrollment eventually led to the emergence of the independent Orsay Center on March 1, 1965, which later evolved into the University of Paris-Sud (Paris XI) in 1971. Paris-Saclay University took shape in 2015 as a universities community (ComUE) and in 2019 as a university, with the aspiration of ascending to the ranks of top-tier, research-oriented French universities. To realize this ambition, it united some of France's most prestigious grandes écoles under a single campus on the Saclay plateau, mirroring the model of the University of Oxford and Cambridge.

Université Paris-Saclay offers a wide array of academic disciplines, spanning science and engineering, life sciences and health, as well as humanities and social sciences. The institution places a strong emphasis on bridging the gap between research and innovation, addressing both fundamental and applied sciences to address significant societal challenges.

It provides a comprehensive spectrum of educational programs, from undergraduate to doctoral levels, often in collaboration with its grandes écoles partners. These programs are meticulously designed to equip students with critical thinking skills and adaptability vital for thriving in an ever-evolving world. Furthermore, the university actively participates in lifelong learning, extending a broad selection of courses to cater to diverse needs. It is not merely a hub of academic excellence but also a catalyst for societal progress.

Paris-Saclay University's strategically located campus, stretching across various areas encompassing Paris, Orsay, Évry, and Versailles, enhances its international prominence and fortifies its bonds with socio-economic partners. These partners include major corporations, SMEs, startups, local authorities, and charitable organizations.

The institution further collaborates extensively with prominent research entities and organizations, sharing 275 laboratories with illustrious entities like the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), and numerous others. This collaborative approach positions Université Paris-Saclay as a substantial contributor to France's research landscape, accounting for a remarkable 13% of the nation's research potential.