Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
France's leading university for the humanities, law and social sciences, teaching from the Panthéon and the Sorbonne.
- Students
- 46,000
- Tuition
- €2,902
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1971
- QS World Ranking
- #246
- 2027 edition
About Paris 1
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne was created in 1971 when the University of Paris was divided into separate universities, and it carries on the heritage of the college founded by Robert de Sorbon in the 13th century. It describes itself as France's leading university in the humanities and social sciences. Its best-known buildings are the Panthéon centre, the former Faculty of Law on Place du Panthéon, and the Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter, but it teaches across 26 sites in Paris and the Île-de-France region, including the large Pierre Mendès France centre at Tolbiac.
Paris 1 has more than 46,000 students and about 1,500 teachers and researchers. Teaching is organised in three pillars: humanities and arts (history, geography, philosophy, art history, archaeology, fine arts), law and political science (led by the Sorbonne Law School), and economics and management, which also includes mathematics and computer science. Its 37 research units, 25 of them run jointly with the CNRS and/or IRD, see about 300 theses and habilitations defended each year.
Bachelor's degrees (licences) are taught in French, and non-EU applicants need at least B2 French. Most English-taught programmes are at master's level, with exceptions such as the Licence Economics International Track and the Una Europa joint Bachelor in Sustainability. Paris 1 suits students who want a large, research-driven public university in central Paris, with a strong tradition in law, history, economics and political science, and who are comfortable finding their own way in a big system.
Omnibus Sapientia, Unicuique Excellentia
University motto
Why students choose Paris 1
Classes in some of the most historic university buildings in Paris, including the Sorbonne and the Panthéon centre, in the Latin Quarter.
A leading French university for law, history, economics, philosophy and political science, with over 300 degree programmes.
Low fees for French and EU students: 178 euros a year for a licence (bachelor's) in 2026-27.
Membership of the Una Europa alliance of eleven European universities and 322 partner institutions in 73 countries for exchanges.
Admissions
2027-28 entry (first-year licence)
Selectivity
Paris 1 does not publish an overall admission rate. First-year licence places are allocated through France's national platforms: Parcoursup for French, EEA and Swiss nationals and holders of a French or European baccalaureate, and the DAP (demande d'admission préalable) for other international applicants, via Études en France in Campus France countries. Double licences are not open to applicants through the DAP.
Typical entry requirements
| French baccalauréat or European Baccalaureate | Apply through Parcoursup (any nationality) |
|---|---|
| Foreign secondary diploma (non-EEA nationals) | Apply through the DAP (Études en France or the green/white paper file), with diplomas and transcripts professionally translated into French and proof of any university entrance exam required in your country |
| French language | B2 for licence years 1-2, C1 for licence year 3 and master's (DELF, DALF or TCF), unless exempt |
Deadlines
- DAP via Études en France or paper file (non-EEA, first-year licence) Non-bindingMid-December 2026 (15 December in the 2025 cycle)
For 2026 entry the Études en France DAP ran from 10 November to 15 December 2025 and the paper files from 1 October to 15 December 2025; check the 2027 dates with Campus France.
- Parcoursup (French, EEA and Swiss nationals; French or European baccalaureate holders) Non-bindingMid-March 2027 (official 2027 calendar not yet published)
In 2026 wishes were entered from 19 January to 12 March 2026, files confirmed by 1 April 2026 and offers sent from 2 June 2026.
- Mon Master (first-year master's) Non-bindingMid-March 2027 (16 March in 2026)
Non-EEA applicants living in a Campus France country apply through Études en France instead, with deadlines set by their local Campus France office.
Paris 1's international admissions page shows the 2026-27 dates; the 2027-28 windows had not yet been published when we checked. British nationals can no longer use Parcoursup and apply through the DAP.
How to apply
EEA, Swiss, Andorran and Monegasque nationals and anyone with a French or European baccalaureate apply through Parcoursup. Non-EEA students with a foreign diploma apply through the DAP: via Études en France if they live in a Campus France country, or with the paper dossier vert (living in France) or dossier blanc (living abroad elsewhere). Entry into licence year 2 or 3 goes through eCandidat or Études en France, and first-year master's through Mon Master.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary qualification giving access to university, with results that fit the chosen licence.
- French at B2 level or higher, since licence teaching is in French.
- For eCandidat and master's applications, a detailed CV, cover letter and transcripts showing that previous studies match the programme.
- For research master's (M2), a two- to three-page research project.
Tips for applying to Paris 1
- 1 Non-EEA applicants: the DAP deadline falls in mid-December, a year before you start, so prepare translations and your French test (DELF, DALF or TCF) in the autumn.
- 2 Check whether you are exempt from the higher non-EU fees: nationals of the UN's least developed countries and several other groups pay the standard rate at Paris 1 in 2026-27.
- 3 Double licences are not open through the DAP; international applicants should target single-subject licences.
- 4 Start your housing search early: Paris 1 does not guarantee accommodation and its reserved residence rooms are only for exchange students.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Paris 1 applies differentiated fees for non-EU students in 2026-27 but exempts, beyond the national rules, nationals of the UN least developed countries, asylum seekers and stateless people, students on partner-university agreements and non-EU students already enrolled in 2025-26 continuing in the same cycle. National exemptions cover EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, French tax residents of two years, refugees and French government scholarship holders. Fees can be paid in three instalments online until 15 October.
- 178 euros a year
- Licence fee, standard rate (2026-27)
- 350 to 550 euros a month
- Crous rooms reserved for exchange students
Academics
Law (Licence en droit)
Taught by the Sorbonne Law School, which brings together the university's main law programmes and research teams.
Economics (Licence), including the International Track
Part of what Paris 1 calls France's largest university centre for economics and management; the International Track is taught in English.
History (Licence)
Paris 1's history and humanities departments run some of France's best-known preparations for the agrégation and CAPES teaching exams.
Art history, archaeology and conservation
Includes programmes unique in France, such as art conservation and aesthetics.
Una Europa joint Bachelor in Sustainability (BASUS)
An English-taught interdisciplinary bachelor's run with Una Europa partner universities.
Political Science
Taught within the law and political science pillar alongside international and European studies.
Research
- 37 research units, 25 of them jointly with the CNRS and/or the IRD, and 10 doctoral schools.
- About 300 theses and habilitations defended each year.
- Participation in Laboratories of Excellence (LabEx), scientific interest groups and graduate research schools (EUR).
- Éditions de la Sorbonne, the university press, publishes around fifty new titles a year.
Schools & faculties
- Sorbonne Law School (École de droit de la Sorbonne)
- Sorbonne School of Economics
- Sorbonne School of History
- Sorbonne School of Arts
- Department of Philosophy
- Institute of Geography
- Department of Political Science
- Department of Management and Business Economics
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Student life
Paris 1 is a city university without a single campus: students may take classes at the Sorbonne, the Panthéon centre, the Institute of Geography or the modern Pierre Mendès France centre at Tolbiac, depending on their programme. Student life is closely tied to the Latin Quarter and Paris itself, with its libraries, cafés and cultural life. Paris 1 belongs to the Una Europa alliance and has 322 partner institutions, so exchange opportunities are extensive. Housing is the main challenge: students must find their own accommodation, and the university advises planning temporary options for the start of the year.
- Classes in historic buildings including the Sorbonne and the Panthéon centre.
- Una Europa alliance membership and partners in 73 countries.
- Over 300 degree programmes across the humanities, law, economics and management.
- Éditions de la Sorbonne, the university's own press.
Housing. Students must find their own housing; Paris 1 reserves a small number of Crous rooms (350 to 550 euros a month) and Cité internationale universitaire rooms (710 to 810 euros) for exchange students only.
Location
Paris 1's main buildings are in the Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement, around the Panthéon and the Sorbonne, while the Pierre Mendès France centre is in the 13th arrondissement and other sites are spread across Paris and its region. Paris offers exceptional museums, libraries and public transport, but housing is expensive and scarce, so budget and search early.
Nearest airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Notable alumni
- SV Sérgio Vieira de MelloUN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- IG Irakli GaribashviliFormer Prime Minister of Georgia; studied at Paris 1 (2002-2004)
- AM Arnaud MontebourgFormer French Minister of Industrial Renewal; law degree (licence) from Paris 1
- ME Myriam El KhomriFormer French Minister of Labour
- RD Régis DebrayPhilosopher, writer and journalist; doctorate from Paris 1 (1993)
- RB Rosi BraidottiPhilosopher and feminist theorist; PhD from Paris 1
Frequently asked questions
How do international students apply to Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne?
EEA and Swiss nationals and holders of a French or European baccalaureate apply through Parcoursup. Other international students with a foreign diploma apply for first-year licence through the DAP, via Études en France if they live in a Campus France country, by mid-December of the year before entry.
Does Paris 1 charge higher fees to non-EU students?
Partially. In 2026-27 non-EU students paying differentiated fees pay 2,902 euros for a licence, but Paris 1 exempts many groups, including nationals of the UN least developed countries and students continuing from 2025-26.
Can I study a bachelor's at Paris 1 in English?
Mostly no: licence degrees are taught in French and non-EU applicants need B2 French. Exceptions include the Licence Economics International Track and the Una Europa joint Bachelor in Sustainability; many master's are taught in English.
What French level do I need for Paris 1?
B2 (DELF, DALF or TCF) for the first and second years of a licence, and C1 for the third year and for master's, unless you are exempt.
Is Paris 1 the same as Sorbonne University?
No. Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne is one of the universities created from the University of Paris in 1971 and focuses on the humanities, law, economics and social sciences; Sorbonne University is a separate institution.
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.
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