Nantes Université
A 42,000-student university whose non-EU fees for 2026/27 are 2,902 euros in licence and 3,950 in master.
- Students
- 42,000
- International
- 13%
- of students
- Tuition
- €2,902
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1460
About Nantes Université
Nantes Université describes itself as a new model of French university: it groups a university organised in four poles (Humanities, Health, Science and Technology, Societies) with six member institutions, among them Centrale Nantes, the Beaux-Arts Nantes Saint-Nazaire art school, the Nantes architecture school, the CHU de Nantes hospital, the IRT Jules Verne research institute and Inserm. It is a member of the EUniWell European university alliance.
In 2024-25 it had 42,000 students, of whom more than 5,500 were international, 5,680 staff, 3,010 teaching researchers and researchers, 1,225 doctoral students and 42 research units, spread over three cities and 12 campuses. Its roots go back to a papal bull of 1460, although the current institution dates from 1970 and the present Nantes Université structure from more recent reforms.
Most degrees are taught in French. Non-EU applicants living in one of 74 Études en France countries apply through Campus France, while others use a direct admission form for the first year or the SURF platform for later years; a DELF B2 with at least 65 out of 100 or a DALF is required as proof of French.
The financial picture changed for 2026/27. A decree of 19 May 2026 tightened exemptions from differentiated fees, so Nantes can exempt at most 30 percent of its non-European international students, and fees for those affected are 2,902 euros a year in licence and 3,950 euros in master.
Why students choose Nantes Université
Nantes Université holds the Bienvenue en France label at the highest three-star level, awarded in 2019 and renewed in July 2025.
A one-stop welcome desk (Guichet Unique) handles residence permit, housing help and administrative formalities for arriving international students.
Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, and engineering through Polytech Nantes, sit alongside humanities and social sciences, and the university says it is strongest in medical and health, business and economics, and life sciences in THE subject rankings.
Its 12 campuses over three cities and its membership of EUniWell give access to a wide range of degrees and exchange partners.
Admissions
2026/27 entry (procedures closed); 2027/28 calendar not yet published
Selectivity
Nantes Université publishes no overall admission rate. Several first-year degrees, including Health, Psychology, LEA and STAPS, are closed to international first-year (DAP) applications.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary school diploma equivalent to the French baccalaureate | Assessed within the Études en France (Campus France) or DAP process, with three choices at most. |
|---|---|
| French language | DALF, or DELF B2 with a minimum of 65 out of 100. |
| Documents | Curriculum vitae and cover letter in French, plus a sworn statement that you have not applied for the same course at another university that year. |
Deadlines
- Licence 1 and BUT (2026/27 cycle) Non-binding Passed1 October to 15 December 2025
Previous cycle; the procedure is closed for 2026/27. Dates for 2027/28 were not published when checked.
- Licence 2, Licence 3, Master 1 and Master 2 (2026/27 cycle) Non-binding Passed1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026
Previous cycle; the end date can differ by Campus France office or embassy calendar.
These are the 2026/27 dates, shown as the previous cycle because Nantes had not published 2027/28 dates and the 2026/27 procedure was closed.
How to apply
If you live in one of the 74 Études en France countries, apply only through the Études en France platform via Campus France. Otherwise, for licence 1 send the DAP form as a single PDF to dap@univ-nantes.fr (or a paper form via the French embassy). For licence 2, 3 and master 2 use the SURF platform. EU and French holders of foreign diplomas apply to licence 1 and BUT through Parcoursup.
What admissions looks for
- A file complete in a single electronic submission; incomplete or late files are not considered.
- Proof of French at DELF B2 (65/100) or DALF.
- A cover letter and CV in French showing why you chose the course.
Tips for applying to Nantes Université
- 1 Do not send paper documents if your country uses Études en France: the university states files must be submitted only through the platform.
- 2 Check the fee FAQ before applying: whether you pay national (178 euros) or differentiated fees (2,902 euros) depends on your situation, not your intention.
- 3 Exemption is not automatic: apply after enrolment with a complete file before the deadline of the Commission des aides et des exonérations.
- 4 Wait for the email from the Europe and International Directorate after admission before taking steps, because it states which fees apply to you.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Partial exemptions from differentiated fees remain possible but capped: for 2026/27 Nantes can exempt at most 30 percent of its non-European international students, and requests go to the Commission des aides et des exonérations after enrolment. Students holding a French Government scholarship, Erasmus Mundus scholars and those from partner universities with reciprocal agreements pay national fees. Students exempted in 2025/26, or notified of an exemption before the decree, keep it until the end of their current licence or master cycle in the same programme. Nantes lists scholarship programmes for international students on its website.
- 30 percent of non-European international students
- Exemption cap 2026/27
- Online in three instalments when enrolling
- Payment
Academics
Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry
Part of the Health pole; THE subject rankings place medical and health among Nantes Université's best disciplines.
Polytech Nantes engineering
The Polytech engineering track is part of the Science and Technology pole; engineering-diploma students pay national fees even if non-EU.
Business and Economics
Identified by the university as one of its best-ranked subject areas in THE 2026.
Life Sciences
Another best-ranked subject area in THE 2026; the Health pole lists research units such as the Institut du Thorax.
Languages and Cultures, History and Archaeology
The Humanities pole includes Foreign Languages and Cultures and History, Art History and Archaeology.
Research
- The university lists 42 research units, including Inserm units such as the Institut du Thorax and the Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology.
- The Humanities pole hosts units such as the Centre de Recherches en Histoire Internationale et Atlantique and the Laboratoire de Linguistique de Nantes.
- In THE Impact 2025 the university reports a place in the world top 55 and first in France for SDG 4 (quality education).
Schools & faculties
- Humanities pole
- Health pole (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, STAPS)
- Science and Technology pole (IUTs, Polytech Nantes, Sciences and Techniques)
- Societies pole
Student life
Nantes Université offers services on 12 campuses across three cities, with pages on housing, transport, catering, health, disability support, culture and sport. For international students, the Guichet Unique at the Maison des échanges internationaux et de la Francophonie handles residence permits and housing help, and the university offers French courses and a practical online guide. The international students page counts 4,210 international students from 140 nationalities.
- Guichet Unique welcome desk for international students, in operation for more than twenty years.
- Bienvenue en France three-star label, renewed July 2025.
- French courses for international students.
- Mission Relais Handicap for students with disabilities.
Housing. The university's housing page (Se loger) and the Guichet Unique help international students with accommodation.
Location
Nantes is a city in western France in the Pays de la Loire region. The university has campuses in Nantes itself and satellite campuses in Saint-Nazaire and La Roche-sur-Yon, in three cities in total. Its central campuses include the Tertre campus with the Château du Tertre and a humanities campus in the city.
Nearest airport: Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE)
Notable alumni
- JA Jean-Marc AyraultPrime Minister of France 2012 to 2014; studied German at the University of Nantes
- LB Laurent BergerTrade unionist; general secretary of the CFDT 2012 to 2023; master's degree in history from the University of Nantes
- CN Clément Nyaletsossi VouleTogolese diplomat and jurist; UN Special Rapporteur; degree in fundamental rights from Nantes
- SF Stéphane Le FollFrench politician, Minister of Agriculture 2012 to 2017 and mayor of Le Mans; studied at the University of Nantes
- ST Sylvie TellierTelevision personality and businesswoman; Miss France 2002; DEUG at the University of Nantes
Frequently asked questions
How much does Nantes Université cost for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, differentiated fees are 2,902 euros a year in licence and 3,950 euros in master, compared with 178 and 255 euros for national fees. Some categories, such as refugees, doctoral students and engineering-diploma students, pay national fees.
Can I get an exemption from the higher fees?
Possibly, but Nantes can exempt at most 30 percent of its non-European international students in 2026/27 under the decree of 19 May 2026. You apply after enrolment to the Commission des aides et des exonérations.
What French level do I need?
DALF, or DELF B2 with at least 65 out of 100.
When do I apply?
For 2026/27, licence 1 ran from 1 October to 15 December 2025 and other levels from 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026; dates for 2027/28 were not published yet.
How is Nantes Université ranked?
QS World University Rankings 2027 places it in the 901-950 band, THE World University Rankings 2026 in the 601-800 band and ARWU 2026 in the 601-700 band.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- Nantes Université: Discover Nantes Université (key figures)
- Nantes Université: International students, coming to Nantes
- Nantes Université: International students outside exchange programmes
- Nantes Université: FAQ registration and differentiated fees 2026/2027
- Nantes Université: Which registration fees apply to you
- Nantes Université: Requesting an exemption
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