Formed in 2014 through the merger of several French research institutions and grandes écoles, Université Paris-Saclay ranks 76th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 despite its youth. It has rapidly become one of the world’s leading centres for mathematics, producing an unusually high concentration of Fields Medal winners for a single institution.

Admission varies by component institution — some programs use the centralized Parcoursup system for French/EU undergraduates, while international graduate applicants typically apply directly through the relevant school with academic transcripts, a research proposal (for research masters), and language proficiency proof.

Selection for elite components like the grandes écoles within Paris-Saclay is extremely rigorous, often requiring competitive entrance exams (concours). Standard university tracks are more accessible but still require strong academic records in relevant STEM subjects.

Paris-Saclay offers the Paris-Saclay Excellence Scholarship for outstanding international Master’s students, covering a monthly stipend, alongside Eiffel Excellence Scholarships administered through the French government for top international applicants.

The Paris-Saclay campus spans a large plateau south of Paris, purpose-built as a dense innovation cluster bringing together universities, grandes écoles, and major corporate research labs in a single interconnected zone, often compared to a European answer to Silicon Valley.