“Université PSL, or Paris Sciences & Lettres, is a large public collegiate research university in Paris, France. It brings together a number of highly reputed schools, institutes, research centres, libraries, laboratories, museums and academic units under a single university umbrella. PSL is renowned for its excellence in science, engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, artificial intelligence, humanities, social sciences, economics, management, arts, design, music, theatre, cultural heritage, earth sciences, astrophysics, life sciences and doctoral research. The university has a distinctive academic identity, linking research-intensive scientific institutions with elite schools of humanities, arts, engineering and social sciences.

PSL is not a university in the usual sense of one campus. It operates as a collegiate university with numerous constituent institutions and associate institutions in and around the academic areas of Paris. Its ecosystem comprises major institutions such as École normale supérieure – PSL, Dauphine – PSL, MINES Paris – PSL, ESPCI Paris – PSL, Chimie ParisTech – PSL, Observatoire de Paris – PSL, École nationale des chartes – PSL, EPHE – PSL, Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique – PSL, and other academic and research partners. And, thanks to this structure, PSL covers a very broad academic spectrum, from advanced scientific research and engineering to management, economics, humanities, heritage studies, performing arts, design, music and social sciences.

The university provides programmes from undergraduate to doctoral level. Its academic portfolio includes bachelor’s programmes, undergraduate programmes, master’s programmes, engineering-related programmes, PhD programmes, doctoral programmes, research training, international programmes and English-taught programmes. PSL has great strength in research-based education. Many programs are tightly linked to laboratories, research institutes, faculty research groups, and advanced academic projects. The PhD tracks at the university are very selective and provide a mix of training at the master’s level and preparation for doctoral research, with funding provided through the route.

The fee structure at Université PSL varies depending on the programme, type of diploma and component institution. Exact tuition fees are available on each programme page under the admissions section, PSL says. Tuition for many national diploma master’s programmes will be around €250 per year, plus the obligatory €105 CVEC contribution unless you are exempt. Some master’s programmes have differentiated or programme-specific fees, especially in fields such as energy, materials science and engineering, integrative chemistry, nuclear energy, management and component-school-specific programmes. PSL PhD tracks list €254/year during the master’s phase for some tracks and €397/year during the doctoral phase. Some PhD programs are fully funded, i.e. the funding support is part of the academic route, but the administrative registration and student formalities still need to be done.

Université PSL is a great fit for academic high-flyers looking for a research-centric, interdisciplinary and very selective academic environment in Paris. Graduates can pursue careers in research, higher education, engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, public policy, economics, finance, management, arts, culture, heritage, science, technology, public institutions, consulting, innovation and doctoral or postdoctoral research pathways.