Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 (Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, often called Lyon 1) is a public university[1] in Villeurbanne and Lyon with about 49,000 students.[2] It reports that 10.5% of its students are foreign, from 134 nationalities.[3] It is ranked 613th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down 26 places from 587th in 2026.[4][5]
For 2026/27 the standard national tuition is €178 for a licence (bachelor’s), €255 for a master’s, €630 for an engineering degree and €398 for a doctorate.[6] Non-EU students in licence and master’s programmes pay €2,902 and €3,950 unless they are exempt.[7] French-taught programmes require level B2.[8]
Key facts
| Official name | Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (often “Lyon 1”) |
| Location | Villeurbanne and Lyon, France (main address 43 boulevard du 11 novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne cedex)[9] |
| Type | Public university specialising in science and technology, medicine and sports science[1] |
| Founded | 1971, by the merger of the faculties of science and medicine of Lyon[1] |
| Students | 49,000[2] |
| Foreign students | 10.5% of students, from 134 nationalities[3] |
| Staff | 4,900 employees, including nearly 3,000 teacher-researchers[2] |
| Degrees | 16 licences, 50 master’s programmes and 10 health diplomas[2] |
| Research | 88 research units; 7,600 publications per year[2] |
| Sites | 3 campuses and 11 sites[2] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 613th (587th in 2026)[4] |
| Main language of teaching | French (level B2 required for French-taught programmes)[8] |
| Tuition 2026/27, standard rate | €178 licence · €255 master’s · €630 engineering · €398 doctorate[6] |
| Tuition 2026/27, non-EU students (unless exempt) | €2,902 licence · €3,950 master’s[7] |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Claude Bernard University Lyon 1
Wikipedia dates the university to 1971, when the faculty of science and the faculty of medicine of Lyon merged. Its history section gives 8 December 1970 for that merger.[1] It is one of three public universities in Lyon.[1]
The main teaching and research facilities are in Villeurbanne on the LyonTech-La Doua campus; other sites include Gerland, Rockefeller and Laennec in Lyon’s 8th arrondissement.[1] The university counts 3 campuses and 11 sites, 4,900 employees and a budget of €519 million.[2] It is a member of the Arqus European University Alliance.[10]
How is Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 is 613th in the world, down from 587th in 2026.[4] News Tank’s table of French institutions shows the same change, a fall of 26 places.[5] The ranking page we used lists earlier QS positions of 562nd in 2025 and 452nd in 2024.[4]
Two caveats. The QS site itself blocks automated access, so the rank comes from an aggregator that republishes QS data and is confirmed by the size of the change in the News Tank report. Student numbers also differ by source: the university’s facts page gives 49,000,[2] its English page 49,900,[9] and the aggregator lists 41,816 for 2024-25 from the French ministry.[4] Rankings differ by publisher and year. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Lyon 1?
The university offers 16 licences, 50 master’s programmes and 10 health diplomas,[2] organised in these components:[9]
- Health: Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Faculté de Médecine et de Maïeutique Lyon Sud - Charles Mérieux, Faculté d’Odontologie, Institut des Sciences et Techniques de Réadaptation and Institut des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques.
- Science and technology: UFR FS (chemistry, mathematics, physics), UFR Biosciences, UFR STAPS (sports science), Polytech Lyon (engineering), IUT Lyon 1, ISFA (finance and insurance), Observatoire de Lyon, INSPÉ (teacher education), and the departments of computer science, Génie Electrique des Procédés (GEP) and mechanics.
Most programmes are taught in French. The university’s page for foreign students links to a list of degree programmes taught in English; that page dates from 2015 and was updated in 2018, so check the current catalogue.[11] Polytech Lyon engineering degrees are applied for through Parcoursup.[8]
How much does Lyon 1 cost in 2026/27?
| Level | Standard rate per year | Non-EU students per year (unless exempt) |
|---|---|---|
| Licence (bachelor’s) | €178 | €2,902 |
| Master’s | €255 | €3,950 |
| Engineering degree | €630 | differentiated rate applies, amount not given on the pages we read |
| Doctorate (and HDR) | €398 | €398 (doctoral students are on the list of exceptions) |
The standard rates are the national tuition for 2026/27 listed on the payment page, updated on 1 July 2026.[6] The higher rates apply to students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. Exceptions include French and EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, refugees, long-term residents, doctoral students and CPGE students.[7] In health, the same page lists for example €178 for the general training diploma, €255 for the advanced training diploma, €398 for the thesis and €526 for specialised studies (DES).[6]
Exemptions
Students covered by a reciprocal agreement between France and their country, or admitted through a qualifying European or international mobility programme, are exempt by regulation. The university can also grant full or partial exemptions within the 30% quota set by the regulations for 2026-2027. Exempted students remain liable for the standard national fees. The rules follow Decree No. 2026-385 of 19 May 2026.[7]
You apply for an exemption through the eCandidat portal, under the programme “Application for Exemption from Differentiated Tuition Fees for Non-European Union Students”. The page also announces a separate arrangement for Lebanese nationals residing in Lebanon (24 July 2026, details to follow).[7] Apply for the exemption; it is not automatic.
CVEC and other costs
Before you enrol you pay the national Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC); see the official student portal for the amount. Tuition is only part of the bill: for rent and living costs in Lyon, see our France guide and the Study in France guide.
How do you apply to Lyon 1?
The route depends on your nationality, your diploma and where you live.[8]
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: Parcoursup.
- Non-EU nationals with a French or European baccalauréat: Parcoursup; if you live in a Campus France country, also register with your Campus France space for the consular steps.
- Non-EU nationals with a foreign secondary diploma or International Baccalaureate who live in a Campus France country: the Études en France application (the DAP procedure for most levels).
- The same group living elsewhere: Parcoursup for the first year of a BUT and for CUPGE where open; eCandidat for L2, L3 and M2; Mon Master for M1.
For the 2027-2028 entry the page says that no first-year licence programme is open to DAP applications. Doctoral applicants contact the doctoral studies office. Some programmes close to applications in some years, so check the course catalogue for the current campaign.[8] We give no deadlines because they change every year.
Which language level do you need?
All French-taught programmes require French at level B2 (CEFR, the European scale from A1 to C2; B2 is upper-intermediate). Accepted proofs are the TCF tout public level 4 (mandatory components only), the DELF tout public B2, the DELF B2 junior/scolaire for the audience defined by the issuer, or the TEF for university studies level 4 (B2) with at least 14/20. TCF and TEF results must stay valid until the end of the application procedure.[8]
Not accepted include the OFII certificate, Evalang, TEF express, the non-university TEF, DILF, DELF Pro, TCF for French nationality, TCF Canada and TCF Carte de résident. French nationals and candidates from a list of exclusively francophone countries are exempt, and some others who completed secondary school in French. The university says that B2 is necessary but not sufficient for admission.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 free for international students?
How is Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 ranked?
Do I need to speak French to study at Lyon 1?
For French-taught programmes yes: level B2, shown with a TCF, DELF or TEF result from the accepted list.[8]
How do I apply as an international student?
It depends on your diploma and residence: Parcoursup for the first year with a French or European baccalauréat, the Études en France application if you live in a Campus France country with a foreign diploma, or eCandidat and Mon Master for L2, L3 and master’s years.[8]
More about studying in France
- France: best universities
- Study in France: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in France
- Aix-Marseille University
- CentraleSupélec
- École des Ponts ParisTech
- École Polytechnique
- École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
- ESSEC Business School
- HEC Paris
- INSA Lyon
- PSL University
- Sciences Po
- Sorbonne University
- University of Bordeaux
- University of Lille
- University of Montpellier
- University of Strasbourg
- Université Grenoble Alpes
- Université Paris Cité
- Université Paris-Saclay
- Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier University
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 (history, status and campuses)
[2] Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: Identity and key figures (page without a date)
[3] Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: Foreign student (page without a date)
[4] Xuanxiao: Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (QS ranks by year; aggregator, QS blocks automated access to its own site) (page without a date; shows QS 2027 and earlier editions)
[5] News Tank Éducation: QS WUR 2027, PSL 34th (copy hosted by Université de Franche-Comté) (press report of 18 Jun 2026, printed 19 Jun 2026; gives the change of -26 places for Lyon 1)
[6] Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: Payment method and tuition fees (French) (page published 2 Jun 2020, updated 1 Jul 2026)
[7] Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: International students, differential tuition fees and exemptions for 2026-2027 (page without a date; latest item on it dated 24 Jul 2026)
[8] Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: International applicants (outside exchange), how to apply (French) (page without a date; refers to the 2026-2027 calendar and the decree of 19 May 2026)
[9] Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: Discover Lyon 1 (page without a date)
[10] Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: International (page without a date; newest item on it from spring 2026)
[11] Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: Degree programs taught in English (page published 18 May 2015, updated 2 Mar 2018; the list itself is on a linked page we did not read)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.