With a history that dates back to the year 1441, the University of Bordeaux was newly established in January 2014 following the merger of three universities. In 2016, the University of Bordeaux was one of the first universities in France to obtain confirmation of the “Initiative of Excellence” label.
The University of Bordeaux offers 250 Master and 150 Bachelor programmes. The four major scientific fields are: Science and Technology / Law, Political Science, Economics, Management / Life and Health Sciences / Social and Human Sciences.
The university has developed a wide range of international study programmes that are taught in English (or other languages) and that offer students the possibility of studying abroad and/or completing joint or double degrees. A leading university in France for participation in the Erasmus Mundus programme, the University of Bordeaux offers several EU-labelled study programmes.
Research is organised according to 11 departments: Social sciences of contemporary changes; Behaviour, organisations and policy evaluation; Law and social transformations; Bordeaux Neurocampus; Biological and medical sciences; Public health; Health sciences and technologies; Environmental sciences; Engineering and digital sciences; Material and light sciences; Archaeological sciences.
• Major research programmes
The field of research is a driving force of the University of Bordeaux. The university boasts 7 major research programmes: BPS; BRAIN_2030; HOPE - Understanding Human Well-being and Behaviour for better Policies & Societies; Human Past; IPORA; LIGHT; PPM.
The International Office has dedicated International Mobility services to welcome international exchange students and each main campus also has Student Life Centres, whose mission is to support and inform students before and during their mobility period in Bordeaux. Topics include: registration processes, student integration, French classes, student file management and follow-up, scholarship and accommodation requests, Erasmus programme agreements, etc.
If you are a PhD student or a researcher, you may contact the Welcome Centre for International Researchers.
A total of 38 university libraries (representing 4,000 seats) may be found throughout the campus sites. Open to students, tutors, researchers, employees and people from outside the university; they cover all the disciplines taught at the University of Bordeaux.
The University of Bordeaux offers a digital work environment. Each student has a digital identity, and is thus able to access the digital services and messaging system. The messaging system may be consulted remotely. The university provides its users with wireless access points (Wi-Fi) to the IT network on the University of Bordeaux campuses.
The University of Bordeaux has one of the largest campuses (187 hectares) in Europe. It is composed of several sites that are located near to the city and that offer a broad range of services and amenities.
135 student associations exist and participate in the organisation of a wide range of cultural activities throughout the academic year: workshops, film debates, science cafés, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, shows, etc.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 11 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 281 | 292 | 281 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By TopUniversities
Climbed 9 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 535 | 494 | 485 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | 401 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | 201 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Based on 48 reviews
As it was my first time leaving my country and studying abroad. This school made it so easy and seamless especially for foreign students. Warm and welcoming staff. Beautiful environment and superb experience. Miss it!
Writing as a Pharmaceutical Sciences student at the University of Bordeaux. I�ve found that this program perfectly combines research, innovation, and practical training. The coursework dives deeply into drug design, formulation, and clinical application, preparing you for real challenges in the pharmaceutical field. The professors are deeply committed to student growth and scientific excellence. With access to good labs and a collaborative environment, the school provides the ideal foundation for anyone passionate about advancing health through science.
As a Law student at the Universite de Bordeaux, I�ve gained a good understanding of both French and international legal systems. The program emphasizes critical analysis, ethics, and the evolving role of law in global society. Professors are knowledgeable and approachable, often connecting theory with real legal practice. The university�s cultural diversity and academic depth make every discussion dynamic and enriching. Studying law here isn�t just about memorizing statutes, it�s about learning to think like a global legal mind.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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