Paris-Saclay University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paris-Saclay University

Université Paris-Saclay
Former name	University of Paris Sud XI Paris Faculty of Sciences in Orsay
Type	Public research university
Established	c. 1150 University of Paris 1956 University of Paris in Orsay 1971 Paris-Sud University 2014 As a community 2019 Replaces Paris-Sud University
Chancellor	Christophe Kerrero (Chancellor of the universities of Paris)
President	Estelle Iacona
Academic staff	10,500
Students	60,000
Undergraduates	5,400
Postgraduates	23,300
Doctoral students	6,000
Location	Orsay, Palaiseau, Paris, Évry, Versailles, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines , Île-de-France , France 48°42′42″N 2°10′17″E / 48.7117343°N 2.1712888°E / 48.7117343; 2.1712888
Campus	Campus of Saclay (Orsay - Gif), Campus of Versailles, Campus of Évry , Campus of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Campus of Paris

Paris-Saclay University (French: Université Paris-Saclay) is a big public university in Paris, France. It is known for its strong focus on research, especially in science and technology.

This university was created in 2019 by bringing together many different schools and research centers. It includes four special technical schools called grandes écoles, along with other institutes and research labs. This merger created a huge university with over 48,000 students.

The French government wanted Paris-Saclay to be one of the best technology research universities in the world, like the MIT in the USA. The university has more than 275 labs where scientists study things like particle physics, nuclear physics, and nanotechnology.

Paris-Saclay University is part of a larger area called the Paris-Saclay cluster. This area is a hub for top universities, research centers, and high-tech companies. It even includes the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques, where important discoveries in math have been made.

Many famous scientists have been connected to Paris-Saclay University and its research centers. As of 2021, 11 winners of the Fields Medal (for math) and 4 Nobel Prize winners have been part of this university.

University History

Paris-Saclay University officially started in 2019. It took over from the University of Paris-Sud (Paris XI), which was founded in 1971. That university itself came from the much older University of Paris, which began around 1150.

After World War II, scientists needed more space for their research, especially in nuclear physics. So, the University of Paris and other top schools looked for land south of Paris, near Orsay. In 1956, some teaching moved to Orsay because of famous scientists Irène Joliot-Curie and Frédéric Joliot-Curie.

As more and more students came, the Orsay center became independent in 1965. It was then named the University of Paris-Sud (Paris XI) in 1971.

Paris-Saclay University was created to bring together many top French schools and universities onto one campus. The idea was to make a very large, strong research university that could compete globally. Each school keeps some independence, but they share many resources. This is similar to how universities like University of Oxford and Cambridge work, where colleges are part of a bigger university.

The first school year for the new university system began in September 2015. Leaders of the university hope it will become one of the top universities in the world. They especially want it to be the best in continental Europe.

In January 2020, Paris-Saclay University officially replaced the University of Paris-Sud (Paris XI). By 2025, two more universities, Université de Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) and Université d'Évry-Val-d'Essonne (UEVE), will also join it.

Since October 2023, the university has worked with IPSA to offer special double degrees in aerospace.

How the University Works

Paris-Saclay University is made up of different parts that work together. It has five main departments called faculties, which focus on areas like Science, Medicine, and Sports. It also has an Engineering school and three technical institutes.

The university also includes four special grandes écoles. These are very selective schools that train top students in specific fields. The four are CentraleSupélec, AgroParisTech, ENS Paris-Saclay, and the Institut d'Optique Graduate School. Two other universities, Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University (UVSQ) and University of Évry Val d'Essonne (UEVE), are also connected.

Initially, five other grandes écoles were planned to join. However, they decided to form their own separate university called Polytechnic Institute of Paris. Even so, both Paris-Saclay University and the Polytechnic Institute of Paris plan to work together on many projects, like master's degree programs.

Faculties and Institutes

Paris-Saclay University has several faculties and institutes where students can study.

Grandes Écoles and Graduate Schools

These are highly respected schools and programs within the university.

Partner Universities

These universities work closely with Paris-Saclay University.

Research Organizations

Many important research groups have centers at Paris-Saclay University. These groups do their own research but also share resources with the university.

• CEA (Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission)
• CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research)
• Inria (French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation)
• INSERM (French Institute of Health and Medical Research)
• Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (Institute of Advanced Scientific Studies)
• INRA (French National Institute for Agricultural Sciences)
• ONERA (National Board of Study and Aerospace Research)
• SOLEIL (a national synchrotron facility, which is a powerful light source for science)
• Pascal Institute - University of Paris-Saclay
• Institute of Theoretical Physics

What Students Can Study

Each school at Paris-Saclay University offers specific study programs. Students can often use resources from other schools depending on their chosen program.

The main areas of study at Paris-Saclay University include:

• Biodiversity, Agriculture, Food, Society, Environment (Biodiversité, Agriculture et Alimentation, Société, Environnement);
• Biology, Medicine, Pharmacy (Biologie, Médecine, Pharmacie);
• Law, Political Science (Droit et Science Politique);
• Humanities (Humanités);
• Engineering, Sciences, and Information Technologies (Ingénierie, Sciences et Technologies de l'information);
• Sport and Human Motion Sciences (Sciences du Sport et du Mouvement Humain);
• Basic Sciences (Sciences Fondamentales);
• Social Sciences (Sciences Sociales).

The university's academic programs are set up like those in American and British universities:

• Paris-Saclay Undergraduate School – This is where students get their Bachelor's degrees. Programs are offered by Paris-Saclay faculties and its two partner public universities.
• Paris-Saclay Graduate Schools – These schools offer Master's degrees. Students can choose from 49 different Master's programs, taught in both French and English.
• Paris-Saclay Research or Doctoral Schools – These are for students pursuing PhDs (doctoral degrees). There are 20 doctoral schools. If a student earns a PhD after September 30, 2015, their degree is given under the name "Paris-Saclay University."

Research Programs

Paris-Saclay University has over 300 research groups. These groups are organized into 10 main doctoral schools, each focusing on a different area of research:

• Chemistry (Chimie)
• Electrical engineering, optics and electronics (EOE: Ingénierie électrique, optique et électronique)
• Mathematics (Mathématiques)
• Mechanics, energy and physical processes (MEP: Mécanique, énergétique et procédés)
• Subatomic physics and astrophysics (P2I: Physique des deux infinis)
• Wave and matter physics (PHOM: Physique des ondes et de la matière)
• Planetary science and cosmology (SPU: Sciences de la planète et de l'Univers)
• Life sciences (SDV: Sciences de la Vie)
• Human and social sciences (SHS: Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société)
• Information and communication sciences and technologies (STIC: Sciences et technologies de l'information et de la communication).

University Rankings

Paris-Saclay University is highly praised, especially for its programs in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science. It often ranks first in France in many global university rankings.

It is also connected to two of France's top engineering schools, École polytechnique and CentraleSupélec.

In June 2020, the Shanghai Ranking placed Paris-Saclay University 14th among the top 1000 universities worldwide. It was also ranked first globally for Mathematics and 9th worldwide for Physics (and 1st in Europe).

(*)These rankings are from three of the most well-known global university lists.

Famous Award Winners

Paris-Saclay University was formed by combining several older universities and research institutes. So, the list below includes award winners from those original institutions who are now part of the wider Paris-Saclay University family.

Nobel Prize Winners

• 2022: Alain Aspect – He studied and taught at ENS Paris-Saclay, IOGS, and Paris-Sud University. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics.
• 2007: Albert Fert – A professor at Paris-Sud University. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics.
• 1991: Pierre-Gilles de Gennes – A professor at CEA and Paris-Sud University. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics.
• 1935: Irène Joliot-Curie and Frédéric Joliot-Curie – They helped start the Orsay Faculty of Sciences. They won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Fields Medal Winners

The Fields Medal is a very important award for mathematicians.

• 2022: Hugo Duminil-Copin – He studied and taught at IHES.
• 2010: Cédric Villani – He held a special position at IHES and the University of Lyon.
• 2010: Ngô Bảo Châu – He earned his PhD and was a professor at Paris-Sud University.
• 2006: Wendelin Werner – A professor at Paris-Sud University.
• 2002: Laurent Lafforgue – He earned his PhD and was a professor at Paris-Sud University and IHES.
• 1998: Maxim Kontsevich – A professor at IHES.
• 1994: Jean-Christophe Yoccoz – He earned his PhD and was a professor at Paris-Sud University.
• 1994: Jean Bourgain – A professor at IHES.
• 1982: Alain Connes – A professor at IHES.
• 1978: Pierre Deligne – He earned his PhD and was a professor at Paris-Sud University.
• 1966: Alexandre Grothendieck – A professor at IHES.
• 1958: René Thom – A professor at IHES.

See also

In Spanish: Universidad Paris-Saclay para niños

• List of medieval universities
• List of public universities in France by academy
• Paris-Saclay Medical School
• Polytechnic Institute of Paris