Aix-Marseille University

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.

About Aix-Marseille University

Aix-Marseille University was created on 1 January 2012 by merging the region’s three universities: the University of Provence, the University of the Mediterranean and Paul Cézanne University.^[1][5] It traces its roots to the University of Provence, founded on 9 December 1409 by Louis II of Anjou, Count of Provence.^[5] Wikipedia describes it as the largest university in the French-speaking world by student body, staff and budget.^[5]

amU lists 17 schools, faculties and institutes and five large campuses.^[1] Its headquarters is the Pharo site in Marseille; the main campuses are in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, with further sites in towns such as Arles, Aubagne, Avignon and Gap.^[5]

The student figures differ between amU pages. The “Discover amU” page and the international students page give about 84,000 students and 12,000 international students.^[1][8] The research-staff page of amU gives 80,000 students and 10,000 international students.^[9] We use the first set, which agrees with Wikipedia.^[5]

How is Aix-Marseille University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Aix-Marseille Université is 443rd in the world. In 2026 it was 428th, a fall of 15 places.^[2] The figures come from the ranking table published by the French student magazine L’Étudiant, because QS’s own site blocks automated access.

Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at Aix-Marseille University?

amU has 17 schools, faculties and institutes.^[1] Its application page covers licence and professional licence years, BUT, DEUST and other selective first years, master’s degrees and doctoral studies.^[7] The pages we read do not give a count of programmes or a list of faculties, so use the “Find your training” search on the university’s site for your subject.

For students who need French before starting a French-taught licence, amU runs “Classes Internationales”, which prepare for bachelor’s studies in French.^[8] The international students page also lists English-taught degree programmes and French-taught degree programmes as topics of its information sessions; it does not list the programmes themselves.^[8]

How much does Aix-Marseille University cost in 2026/27?

These are the national rates for 2026/27 as published by Campus France.^[3] amU publishes its own 2026/27 fee schedule as a PDF on its fees page; we could not read that PDF, so check it for diplomas that have different rates.^[10] The higher “differentiated” rate has applied at amU since the 2022/23 academic year and is paid at each administrative enrolment.^[10] A CROUS scholarship exempts you from tuition fees.^[10] Campus France lists further groups who pay the standard rate anyway, among them long-term residents and refugees.^[3]

amU’s exemption policy

Decree No. 2026-385 of 19 May 2026 caps exemptions from the differentiated fees at 30% of the students concerned at the start of 2026.^[6] In an article of 15 September 2026, amU says it uses its full capacity. Of about 12,000 international students, about 5,500 are affected by the decree, and the university can exempt about 1,800. Cases are reviewed individually, and exemptions range from 75% to a full exemption.^[6]

The categories it names are students changing cycle who already had an exemption the year before, students from conflict zones (Lebanese, Palestinian and displaced Ukrainian students get a full exemption) and holders of excellence scholarships.^[6] The article does not describe how to apply, so ask the admissions office of your faculty.

CVEC and other costs

The Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC) is mandatory for students in initial training. You pay it through the government site and show the receipt at enrolment.^[11] The amount is set nationally; see the official student portal. For rent and living costs, see our France guide and the Study in France guide.

How do you apply to Aix-Marseille University?

amU’s page for non-EU applicants without a French or European baccalauréat sorts you by level and by where you live. It is in French and has no date.^[7]

Doctoral candidates use a separate platform, ADUM. Polytech engineering schools use their own admissions portal, and university diplomas (DU, DESU, CU) are applied for through the faculty or school.^[7] Students displaced from Ukraine have their own information page.^[7]

We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. Check the timetable of your programme before you start. Visas can take several months, so contact the French consulate early.

Which language level do you need?

The amU pages we read give no university-wide French level. The page for degree-seeking international students says you must attach language-level certificates to your application and points to a preparatory year for those who need French first.^[12]

At the Faculty of Economics and Management, “a good knowledge of the French language is required except for countries where French is the official language”. The levels required there are TCF or TEF level 4 at minimum, DELF B2 or DALF C.^[4] Other faculties set their own levels, so check the programme page before you book a test. B2 is upper-intermediate on the CEFR scale (the European scale from A1 to C2); C is the proficient level.

More about studying in France

• France: best universities
• Study in France: complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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