Sorbonne Université, in the heart of Paris, is one of France’s most famous universities. It was ranked 73rd in the world and third in France in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It was created in 2018 by merging two historic universities, and it has three faculties: Arts and Humanities, Medicine, and Science and Engineering. Its name comes from the Sorbonne, the historic building in the Latin Quarter that has been a centre of learning for centuries.
Most of Sorbonne Université’s courses are taught in French, and the way you apply depends on your nationality, where you live, your qualifications and the level you’re applying for. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Sorbonne Université’s own guidance and official French government information.
1. Choose your faculty and programme
Your admission is handled by the admissions office of the faculty that runs your programme, not by a central office. Explore the programmes in Arts and Humanities (such as literature, history, philosophy, languages, music and art history), Science and Engineering (such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and engineering) and Medicine. Check the language of teaching and the entry requirements for each one.
2. Get your French to at least B2
For a first-year bachelor’s (licence) programme, Sorbonne Université requires at least B2 level in French when you enrol, and it recommends B2 or C1 for international students in general. Take a recognised test such as the DELF/DALF or TCF, and keep improving your French before you arrive, because lectures, reading and exams will be in French. If you prefer to study in English, look at the list of master’s programmes taught in English, mainly in science and engineering.
3. Use the right route for a first-year bachelor’s
For the first year of a licence:
- Parcoursup is for EU/EEA, Swiss, Monaco and Andorran nationals, and for students with a French or European baccalaureate.
- Études en France is for other students who live in a country covered by the procedure and hold a non-European school-leaving diploma. You submit a preliminary admission request (DAP) through your country’s Campus France platform.
- The white DAP is a paper application through the French embassy, for students who live in a country not covered by Études en France.
For September 2027 entry, the DAP procedure opened on 1 October 2026, and applications must reach universities by 15 December 2026. Universities decide by 30 April 2027, and you must reply by 31 May 2027. Sorbonne first-year admission.
4. Apply for a master’s on time
Most national master’s programmes in France use the government’s MonMaster platform, and some non-EU students also go through Campus France, depending on their country. The 2027 MonMaster calendar hadn’t been published when we checked, but in 2026 the application window ran from 17 February to 16 March, so be ready in early 2027. Check your programme’s page for its exact route and dates.
5. Show a strong academic record
Sorbonne Université’s programmes are demanding, so admissions teams look closely at your grades, especially in subjects related to your chosen course. Prepare official transcripts and certified translations early, and make sure your school-leaving diploma or degree is one that gives access to higher education in your country.
6. Write a clear motivation letter
Most applications include a motivation letter (lettre de motivation) and a CV. Explain why you want to study this subject at Sorbonne Université, what you’ve already learned and what you want to do afterwards. If you’re applying in French, have a teacher check your language. See our 50 sample SOPs for ideas on structure.
7. Remember that admission isn’t enrolment
Sorbonne Université points out that being admitted isn’t the same as being enrolled. After you accept an offer, you still need to complete your administrative and academic registration, pay your fees and CVEC, and send the required documents. Follow the instructions in your admission letter carefully and keep an eye on the deadlines.
8. Understand the fees and the exemption policy
For 2026–27, the national fees for a licence are €178 a year for EU students and €2,902 for most students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. For a national master’s, they are €255 and €3,950. Most students also pay the €105 Student Life and Campus Contribution (CVEC). On 7 July 2026, Sorbonne Université’s Governing Board approved an exemption policy so that non-EU students who apply for the exemption and meet its criteria pay the same fees as other students in 2026–27. National rules limit how many non-EU students universities can exempt, and the cap falls in 2027–28, so check Sorbonne Université’s fees page for the 2027–28 policy.
9. Look for scholarships
Look at the France Excellence Eiffel scholarships for master’s and PhD students, scholarships from your own government, and the Campus Bourses database on the Campus France website. Some faculties and programmes also have their own awards, so ask your programme. Paris is expensive, so plan your budget for rent and living costs.
10. Plan your visa and life in Paris
If you’re from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, you’ll usually need a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS). If you live in a country covered by the Études en France procedure, you apply for your visa through it after you’ve been accepted. You’ll need to show that you have enough money for your living costs, and you must validate your visa online after you arrive. Sorbonne Université’s international welcome desk can help with your arrival. After a master’s degree, you can usually apply for a one-year residence permit to look for work or start a business in France. Rules change, so check the French embassy in your country and Campus France for the latest advice.
Applying for a PhD at Sorbonne Université?
PhD candidates join one of Sorbonne Université’s doctoral schools and research units, and need a supervisor and usually funding. Contact potential supervisors early with a clear research proposal, and check the doctoral school’s calendar for funded PhD positions.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Sorbonne Université is very popular, so apply to other options too. Read our guides to Université PSL, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Polytechnique de Paris and ENS de Lyon. Our guide to studying in France explains how the French system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from Sorbonne Université’s official admissions and news pages, official French government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on Sorbonne Université’s website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with Sorbonne Université.