University of Bordeaux

The University of Bordeaux is ranked among the top French universities for the quality of its education and research. A multidisciplinary, research-focused, international institution, it leads an ambitious development program with its partners to further promote Bordeaux as a “Campus of Excellence”.

The University of Bordeaux campuses provide the academic community with an ideal environment for both living and learning. Local services are available to students on each site, including careers and general information offices, university restaurants, student accommodation, libraries, etc.

Talence-Pessac-Gradignan campus

Lying 5 km south west of the center of Bordeaux, the Talence-Pessac-Gradignan campus is served by line B of the tramway. It covers 235 hectares. The Talence-Pessac-Gradignan campus is home to the University of Bordeaux as well as other higher education and research establishments. It principally hosts law and political science, economics, management and economic & social administration, science and technology as well as many research laboratories and administrative services.

Carreire campus

The Carreire campus is situated five minutes from the city center and right next to the Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU Pellegrin). It hosts the majority of students taking biology and medical subjects as well as numerous research laboratories.

Bordeaux Victoire campus

The Bordeaux Victoire campus, which also includes the Legal and Judicial Center located place Pey Berland, is the city’s “historical” campus, situated in the heart of Bordeaux. It is the center of study and research for Human Sciences.

La Bastide campus

This campus lies on the right bank in the heart of the Bordeaux-Bastide district and is home to the university’s Management Sciences Department.

Institute of Vine and Wine Science

The Institute of Vine and Wine Science (ISVV), home to oenology students, is located in Villenave d'Ornon, 20 minutes from the city center.

Agen campus

The Agen campus houses parts of the Agen Department of Legal Studies, the Agen University Science Department and the Institute of Education (ESPE).

Périgord campus

The Périgord campus houses the Institute of Technology, the Périgueux Department of Legal and Economic Studies and the Institute of Education (ESPE) on the la Grenardière site in the capital of the Périgord. The site has more than 1,200 students following higher education courses.

• College of Law, Political Science, Economics & Management

  The College of Law, Political Science, Economics and Management promotes a policy of innovative, ambitious education that strongly interacts with the socio-economic environment. The college offers over 150 courses to its students, who are based in five Campus sites in Aquitaine (Pessac, Bordeaux Bastide, Bordeaux Pey-Berland, Agen and Périgueux). Students receive high-level teaching with a research-based approach. The college has established itself as a major actor within the region via local partnerships, and has also developed a strong international outlook.

• College of Health Sciences

  The College of Health Sciences has developed an educational offer around the Life and Health Sciences.

  Its mission is to carry out teaching and research in the field of health in its broadest sense: fundamental science, science applied to drugs and health products, medical biology, public health life sciences, environmental science, medical science and dental science.

• College of Human Sciences

  The College of Human Sciences is made up of five faculties, offering sixty initial and vocational courses. The courses covered are mainly within the field of Human and Social Sciences, but also include a range of other disciplines (biology, physiology, languages, etc.)

  These research-based courses are aimed at students who wish to apply their knowledge and skills to the domains of education, health, work/company life, urban, social/migratory issues, sporting activities/practices, social work, etc. The College of Human Sciences is located on three Campus sites: city-center (Victoire), south of the city (Pessac, close to sports facilities), and cross-border (Bayonne)

• College of Science & Technology

  The College of Science and Technology welcomes students who work in the following fields: mathematics and applications, information technology, physics, engineering sciences, chemistry, biology, earth and environmental sciences.The College of Science and Technology’s main role is to promote the transmission of scientific culture and information, to develop international educational programs and to provide students with career guidance. Course content is combined with high-level research carried out in the research departments and laboratories of the University of Bordeaux.

• Institute of Technology

  The Institute of Technology (IUT) prepares students for the two-year University Diploma in Technology (DUT). It also provides tuition for Professional Bachelor’s Degrees (3 years of post-secondary education). The IUT of the University of Bordeaux was established on the 1st January 2016, and was created via the merger of three separate IUTs: Bordeaux, Bordeaux Montesquieu and Périgueux IUT.

• Institute of Education

  The Institute of Education (Ecole supérieure du professorat et de l'éducation – ESPE) was founded on 1st September 2013 by the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. The ESPE works alongside the universities in the Aquitaine region and the educational institutions (Bordeaux Education Authority, DSDEN, primary and secondary schools, colleges, etc.) to train Master students wishing to become primary or secondary school teachers and senior education counsellors. The ESPE also supports undergraduate students (Bachelor year 2, Bachelor year 3) and Master year 1 students who have joined the “Emploi d'avenir professeur” (EAP) program for aspiring teachers. In addition, the ESPE trains students and education employees who are interested in specializing in Educational Engineering professions. Finally, the ESPE offers specific training for tenured teachers which allows them to develop their IT skills (C2i2e) or even to specialize in the teaching of students with disabilities (the “CAPASH” program).

• Institute of Vine and Wine Science

  At the heart of the world’s leading region for the production of great wines, the University of Bordeaux Institute of Vine and Wine Science (ISVV) is a multidisciplinary center for research, higher education and development that explores the future challenges of the wine industry.

   

The title “Doctor Honoris Causa” is one of the most ancient university traditions. In France, it was made official by decree during the Third Republic on the 26th June 1918.

This honorary title is awarded to foreign personalities to thank them for their contribution to the arts, literature, science and technology as well as to France or the establishment that grants the title.

The University of Bordeaux has a long tradition of Doctor Honoris Causa (DHC), that goes back before the merger of its three universities (Université Bordeaux 1 Sciences et Technologies, Université Bordeaux Segalen and Université Montesquieu Bordeaux IV) on the 1st January 2014.

Nearly 150 awards have been granted over the past 40 years and since the new establishment of the University of Bordeaux, the tradition continues. 

"AquiPASS" student card

Students are given an Aquipass card when they register. This is a personal, electronic, multi-service card that they may use throughout their studies at the university.

With the AquiPASS card you may:

• prove your student status (and access certain discounts)
• sit examinations
• gain access to university libraries and borrow books
• gain access to certain lecture theatres, practical work-rooms and computer rooms
• pay for meals at the university restaurant (RU)
• pay for photocopies
• vote in student elections

Multimedia services

In college, at home, elsewhere in France or abroad, the University of Bordeaux offers a digital work environment. To access the environment, make sure to activate your account once your administrative registration is complete - read on to find out how.

Each student has a digital identity, that allows access to the digital services and messaging system and that may be consulted remotely. 

The University of Bordeaux has computer rooms freely available to students on the different campuses. All the libraries are also equipped with computers, but these are dedicated to documentary research. 

Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Bordeaux can be a challenge! There are different options, including the following: university residences, halls of residence/residential hotels and private rental.

Free mover:

If you wish to apply for a room in the university residence, you must complete an application on the Internet site of the Regional Center of Student Social Services (CROUS) before the end of April.

Exchange student:

Erasmus students and international students within an exchange program may apply for a room in the university residence. For this you must:

• Complete an application on the CROUS Internet site
• Transfer your codes (INE number or student social file number and connection code) to the International Office contacts in charge of your program before mid-June at the latest.

International students may qualify for student accommodation aid from the Family Benefits Agency, known as the CAF (Caisse d’allocations familiales). For this aid, you must be a student, have a rental contract in your name and not be responsible for any children. For non-EU students, you will need a residence permit that is valid for over 3 months. 

Transport

The various university campuses may be reached by public transport. In Bordeaux, the public transport network (TBM) offers a range of options (tram, bus, bikes, train)  that users can combine as they wish in order to take advantage of city life without the constraints of the car.

• Tram
• Bus
• Bikes
• Train & plane
• Boat
• Car & driving licence

Finance

On arrival in France you should open a bank account. All foreigners staying in France for at least 3 months have the possibility of opening a bank account and of having a bank card and/or chequebook. Three documents are required to open an account: your passport and a photocopy, proof of address and your hosting agreement.

You can also settle your expenses more easily, make money transfers using the account(s) you have in your home country, and receive your salary and social benefits in this account. The currency used is the same as in the European Union, the Euro, whose symbol is €. Please do not hesitate to convert your currency via the Internet to give you an idea of what the Euro represents. You can also exchange your money for Euros at the bureau de change or at the bank.

Multidisciplinary study programs

The University of Bordeaux offers 245 Master and 125 Bachelor (incl. vocational) programs. 

• Science and Technology
• Law, Political Science, Economy, Management
• Life and Health Sciences
• Social and Human Sciences

A large range of qualifications are possible, including of course a national diploma in oenology, thanks to our expertise within the domain of Vine and Wine Sciences.

International study programs

Approximately 12% of students at the University of Bordeaux are international. The university has developed a wide range of international study programs that are taught in English (or other languages such as Spanish) and that offer students the possibility of completing joint or double degrees.

Nearly 60 international study programs exist at Bachelor, Master and Doctorate levels including 18 EU-labeled programs. The University of Bordeaux is a leading university in France for participation in the Erasmus Mundus Program.

Highly qualified teaching staff

The university employs around 5,600 staff members, of which nearly 4,000 are academic and research staff. They are recognized for the quality of their scientific and teaching qualifications. They all hold doctorates or PhD degrees and the medical lecturers are all active hospital practitioners at Bordeaux University Hospital.

Cutting-edge research

The field of research is a driving force of the University of Bordeaux. The excellence of its competencies in all scientific fields was recognized in July 2011 when the university was awarded the "Initiative of Excellence". This award consists of an endowment of 700M€ to support the growth and development of research. In 2016, the University of Bordeaux was one of only three universities in France to obtain confirmation of this program. 

The university welcomes almost 2,000 PhD students, currently has 260 joint thesis (co-tutelle) agreements running, boasts 20 international associated laboratories and much more. Check out our key figures section to discover the scope of our research activities.

International recognition

The University of Bordeaux is positioned N°190 within the Shanghai Ranking (2017) published by the University Jiao Tong (China). Amongst the French establishments that feature in the first 500 of this ranking (22 in total) it is placed in the top ten.

Our university features in the following broad subject fields of the Shanghai 2016 ranking:

• N°101 - 150 for Natural Sciences and Mathematics
• N°101 - 150 for Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy

Open to the world

The University of Bordeaux remains true to its open and humanistic philosophy. This openness is illustrated via the numerous partnerships with international universities (over 1,000 cooperation agreements have been signed with over 500 establishments worldwide). Dedicated programs have been implemented with Japan (Tsukuba, Kyoto, Kyushu), California, Canada (Laval, Montreal, Waterloo) and the Basque campus of excellence, "Euskampus".

Implicated and involved students

Students play an active and important role in university life. They are elected to the university boards (Board of Governors, Scientific Council, Council on University Studies and Life) and participate in various consultative bodies.

Students are also involved in the annual appraisal of the teaching staff and become active members of cultural or faculty associations, all contributing in their own way to keeping the university "on the move". There are in total over 135 student associations within the university.

Career guidance & professional insertion

Thanks to the multitude of study programs on offer, students are able to design their own personalized course of study that is best adapted to their personal and professional plans. Many courses are designed along with professional organizations, especially in the fields of pharmaceuticals, oenology, sport management, etc., with professional degrees and sandwich courses, as well as mandatory work experience starting in the first year.

For the duration of their studies, students are able to benefit from career guidance specialists on-site. Within the region, solid industrial partnerships have been established with the various economic sectors that exist (aeronautics, space, chemistry, health, IT, optic / laser, forestry and wine) and that offer promising career perspectives for our graduated students.

Dynamic 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 wide range of services and amenities. In terms of sports equipment, the offer is extensive: 3 synthetic and 1 football turf pitches, 5 rugby turf pitches, a sports hall of 2,000m² for basketball, tennis, table tennis, badminton etc., 3 squash courts, an athletics track, a weights room… the list goes on!

Within each site, dedicated offices (for students and international researchers) offer advice and information to support the newcomers’ integration to university and city life. In addition, the future looks bright! Operation Campus is an ongoing renovation project of 538M€ destined to modernize and better equip the four main campus sites.

A unique location

Bordeaux is located at the very heart of Southern Europe, only a few hours from major EU capitals and cities. Here are just some of the city’s greatest characteristics:

• It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, described as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble”
• It is a dynamic metropolis, blessed with a particularly prestigious historical and cultural heritage. It is classified as "City of Art and History”
• It is the wine capital of the world with around 10,000 wine-producing châteaux
• It is located just one hour from the Atlantic Ocean, thus enjoying a mild oceanic climate and rich natural surroundings...