University Paris South (Paris XI)

About Paris-Sud University 

Paris-Sud University is a place dedicated to high-level research, focused on understanding the world, backing student success and responding to the needs of society. Its high level of research is evidenced by numerous awards and its position in international rankings. But Paris-Sud University can also be proud of its leading position among French universities, in terms of integration of students and doctoral students.

With ongoing intensive research in a wide range of fields, our university is particularly famous for its very high level in basic research, especially in Mathematics and Physics, areas in which it has made significant contributions to understanding the world and the universe, while hosting numerous  research programs in Computer Science, Chemistry and Biology. Our research in Health Sciences have translated into many innovative and successful   therapies in a number of medical fields. Our teams in Law, Economics and Management are conducting highly original research in areas such as new   technologies or innovation. Finally, cross-sectional research is carried out throughout all disciplines, for example, in Sports Sciences and Motor Control. All  of our research is conducted in laboratories shared by many world-class research organizations (CNRS, INSERM, CEA, INRIA, INRA) whose involvement has contributed to their international outreach.

Paris-Sud University not only built its prestige on the quality of its research, it also boasts an extensive choice of academic disciplines at Bachelor, Master  and Doctorate level, but also in technological training. Our academic training is open to the outside society and features: cutting-edge research in all fields,  multidisciplinarity, innovative pedagogy adapted to different audiences, basic or life-long training, professionalisation of the different curricula, including at  doctoral level. The outstanding environment and quality campus life offer both students and young researchers the best possible conditions for acquiring knowledge and skills at the highest level.

Paris-Sud University is firmly grounded in society. By fostering industrial collaboration, it strives to translate the discoveries of its researchers into valued  sources of innovation and new jobs, but also to promote the employability of its students. It also develops many activities to disseminate scientific and technical culture, artistic culture and actions at the crossroads of both worlds, with a special focus on the development of the triad “Science-Culture-Society”. All of these actions address the community – both staff and students – but also the general public and school audiences.

Set in an exceptional scientific environment, the Paris-Sud University works with all higher education and research partners in the region to further   increase the international visibility of all actors within the framework of the Université Paris-Saclay project, of which it is a major player. Meanwhile, with the  prospects offered by the development of its real estate properties, Paris-Sud University holds a unique situation in which it can strengthen its position among the world’s leading universities and further increase its attractiveness for students, faculty and faculty researchers, researchers, technical and  administrative staff, all of which contribute to successfully fulfilling the university’s missions and ensuring its prestige.

History of Paris-Sud University 

Paris-Sud was originally part of the University of Paris, which was subsequently split into several universities. After World War II, the rapid growth of nuclear physics and chemistry meant that research needed more and more powerful accelerators, which required large areas. The Université de Paris, the École Normale Supérieure and the Collège de France looked for space in the south of Paris near Orsay. Later some of the teaching activity of the Faculty of Sciences in Paris was transferred to Orsay. The rapid increase of students led to the independence of the Orsay Center on March 1, 1965.

Now it hosts a great number of laboratories on its large (236 ha) campus. Many of the top French laboratories are among them especially in particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, atomic physics and molecular physics,[6] condensed matter physics, theoretical physics electronics, and nanoscience and nanotechnology. University of Paris-Sud comprises some 104 research units.

About 30,000 students are currently enrolled. Pierre-Gilles de Gennes and Albert Fert, two Nobel Prize winners of physics, were affiliated to the University of Paris-Sud. A number of most renowned French mathematicians are or were affiliated to the University of Paris-Sud as well. Among them are the Fields medalists Laurent Lafforgue, Jean-Christophe Yoccoz, Wendelin Werner and Ngô Bảo Châu.

Paris-Sud also comprises biology and chemistry laboratories, engineering and technology schools and has established partnerships with many of the surrounding technology centres and Grandes Ecoles. It also includes Schools of Law, Economics and Management.

Accreditation

Institutional Accreditation or Recognition - Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, France

Rankings

• In October 2015, The University of Paris Sud has been ranked 10th best university worldwide in the Times Higher Education Under 50 which is ranking of the world top 100 universities under 50 years old.
• Paris-Sud is ranked 2nd in France, 7th in Europe and 39th worldwide by the 2013 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).
• Furthermore, in this latest edition of ARWU ranking, the university is ranked 15th globally in the field of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; in the five general subject rankings, the university is ranked 7th in mathematics and 19th in physics.
• QS Ranking has ranked the University 241th in the world, 95th in Natural Science, 173th in Medicine and 305th in Engineering.

Student life @Paris-Sud University 

A university is more than a seminar room. Much more. Take advantage of the plentiful activities and student initiatives on the Paris-Sud University campus and make this a truly French year.

Clubs – get to know people

Are you keen on discussions and getting out and about? The student clubs are there for you. There are also course-based and even Master's-based clubs which arrange outings and parties.

Student life is very rewarding at Paris-Sud: over sixty clubs, including twenty-seven which belong to FAPS (the Federation of Paris-Sud Clubs). All the student clubs are listed on our website and in the French-language student guide.

Meet French people

Paris-Sud is not just a university; it's a place where people live, and through our Friends of the Campus correspondances programme you can meet local people from the town of Orsay.

There's also the Tandem programme, which enables you to meet French students and learn more about France and the French language. We aim to put you in touch with a local student with similar interests and linguistic preferences to you.

If you would like to take part in this programme, complete the contact form and send it to tandem.international@u-psud.fr.

Culture

When you are not studying, there are plenty of rewarding activities in the cultural workshops at the Arts and Culture Centre: music, theatre, dance, oenology, game design, writing, drawing, photography and many others.

There are also numerous festivals: in April, the Faculty of Law organises "Ciné-Droit", a series of film projections on the theme of justice. In spring the Arts and Culture Centre organises Poetry Week, where poetry takes pride of place.

Sport

If you enjoy sport, Paris-Sud University certainly has remarkable sports facilities. Register with SUAPS (the University Sport and Physical Activity Service) in September (note the date!) for a chance to play more than forty sports.

You can also ride here, because Paris-Sud University is actually one of the rare universities with its own riding centre, where there are lessons for everyone from beginners to firm fans.

Study Centre

The study centre is a University department which welcomes students and provides assistance and direction throughout their studies and life as a student, until they eventually enter the world of work.

The University halls of residence

The University halls of residence are managed by CROUS (the Regional Student Welfare Office).

Rooms are available for 9, 10 or 12 months and are allocated according to students' personal circumstances.

As the number of applications exceeds the number of rooms available, it may be difficult to get a room in one of the University's halls of residence. We therefore encourage you to explore alternative options, even if you have applied for a room.

The University restaurant or the Cafeteria?

University restaurants offer balanced meals at an affordable price. For your main course, there is a choice of three dishes which can be combined with a starter, cheese and a dessert or piece of fruit. There is always a wide variety to choose from. There are regular quality and hygiene inspections in all university restaurants.

Between 12 pm and 1 pm there can be long queues. You need to allow a whole hour between lectures if you are eating in a university restaurant.

If you are busy or in a hurry, the "cafeteria" option may be the best option. Sandwiches, croque-monsieurs, salads, sometimes also a dish of the day, croissants, cakes, yoghurts and fruit... all sorts of snacks and light meals are available for a healthy lunch at low prices (from €2.50).

Cafeterias are also open all day.

How much does it cost?

All university restaurants are managed by CROUS (a national student organisation). A single meal ticket costs €3.10 (fixed price for 2012-2013).

The cafeterias are managed either by CROUS or by a private company. This is the main reason why there is a price difference between university restaurants and cafeterias.

However, the prices in the university cafeterias and restaurants are much lower than elsewhere. For example, the average price of a coffee is €0.60.

You have access to all the university restaurants and cafeterias. Each ticket is valid across the whole of the Versailles region (which includes départements 91, 92, 95, 78).

Please note that university restaurants only accept payment in cash or by bank card.

University restaurants, Cafeterias, Steakhouses and Bars… addresses and opening times

• School of Law, Economics and Management in Orsay

- Cafeteria, building 236. Open from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 to 16.00.

• School of Law, Economics and Management in Sceaux

- Resto U "La coulée verte"- Building E. Open every day from 11.30 to 14.00.
- Cafeteria - Building F, ground floor. Open every day, from 8.00 to 16.30.

- Bar - Building E. Open from 11.30 to 14.00.

• School of Medicine

- Cafeteria – Open from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 to 15.30.

• School of Pharmacy

- Resto U. Open from 11.30 to 13.45.
- Crous Cafeteria. Open from 8.00 to 17.00.
- Cafeteria “Le Rendez-vous de la Fac”, hall d'honneur. Open from 8.00 to 17.30.

• School of Sciences

- Resto U d'Orsay "Les Cèdres" - Building 406. Open from Monday to Friday, from 11.30 to 13.30, Saturday from  11.45 to 13.15.
- Cafeteria. Open from Monday to Friday, from 7.30 to 16.00.

- Steakhouse. Open from Monday to Friday, from 11.30 to 13.30.
- Resto U "Les Marais de Bures" - Building. 230. Open from Monday to Friday, from 11.30 to 13.30.
- Coin Café : from Monday to Friday, from 11.30 to 14.00.
- "Café des Sports" with a steakhouse option and a university restaurant option. Open from Monday to Friday, from  11.30 to 23.00 non-stop.
- "L’Amphi" Bar - Building 332. Open from Monday to Friday, from 7.30 to 16.30.
- Cafeteria “L’Expresceaux” - Building 237. Open from Monday to Friday, from 8.00 to 15.00.

• Cachan Institute of Technology

- The institute’s cafeteria for a quick snack.
- The ENS university restaurant, situated next to the IUT for a more substantial meal.

• Orsay Institute of Technology

- Cafeteria. Open from Monday to Thursday from 8.00 to 17.00 and Friday from 8.00 to 16.00.
- Access to the SUPELEC, located next to the institute, and to the restaurants of the Faculty of Science at Orsay.

• Sceaux Institute of Technology

- Cafeteria. Open from Monday to Friday from 7.30 to 16.30. Phone N°: 01 40 91 24 30.
- Students have access to the university restaurants of the Jean Monnet Faculty at Sceaux,  the “Ecole Centrale” and Faculty of Pharmacy at Châtenay-Malabry.