University of Montpellier

Key facts

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

About the University of Montpellier

The University of Montpellier in its present form was re-formed on 1 January 2015, when the University of Montpellier 1 and the University of Montpellier 2 merged. Paul Valéry University Montpellier 3 stayed a separate university.^[6] UM itself points to 1220, the year its Faculty of Medicine was created, as the start of its history.^[7]

UM lists 17 faculties, schools and institutes and 81 research structures.^[1] Its own history page counts 18 teaching components: 8 faculties (UFR), 7 institutes, 2 schools and one associated establishment.^[7]

The student numbers differ by page. The key figures on the home page give 54,210 students. An article on UM’s history gives “more than 52,000” for 2023/24, about 16% of them international.^[1][7] We use the key figures.

How is the University of Montpellier ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Montpellier is 473rd in the world. In 2026 it was 430th, a fall of 43 places that leaves it inside the top 500.^[2] The figures come from the ranking table published by the French student magazine L’Étudiant, because QS’s own site blocks automated access.

UM’s home page also states that it is in the top 200 of the Shanghai ranking.^[1] We have not checked that against the original list. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at the University of Montpellier?

UM lists 657 national and establishment diplomas and 9 doctoral schools.^[1] The teaching components are 8 faculties, 7 institutes, 2 schools and an associated establishment.^[7]

UM also publishes a page on programmes taught in English. It lists:^[5]

• licences and bachelors taught in English;
• the IDIL graduate programme, with 13 master’s tracks taught entirely in English, from bio-health to political science;
• other English-taught master’s programmes, among them the CHARM-EU “Global Challenges for Sustainable Development” and Erasmus Mundus programmes from the Faculty of Sciences;
• doctoral programmes in English, short programmes, summer schools and certificates.

The page gives no total number of English-taught programmes. The programmes need no prior French.^[5]

How much does the University of Montpellier cost in 2026/27?

UM’s page for 2026/27 lists the national rates of €178, €255 and €398.^[3] It refers to a PDF for the differentiated rates, which we could not read, so the higher rates come from Campus France: €2,902 for a bachelor’s and €3,950 for a master’s. Doctoral students are not subject to them.^[4] Check the UM PDF for diplomas with different rates.

Exemptions

Scholarship holders (boursiers), pupilles de la Nation and Lebanese nationals residing in Lebanon are exempt automatically. The Lebanese exemption is full and exceptional for 2026, on presentation of a Campus France attestation.^[3] Applicants admitted through Études en France with an admission letter dated before 20 May 2026 pay the national rates.^[3] Individual exemptions are possible after enrolment under limited conditions; the page says “information to come” and gives no percentage.^[3] Decree No. 2026-385 of 19 May 2026 changed the waiver rules.^[4]

CVEC and other costs

Before you enrol you must obtain a CVEC attestation (Student and Campus Life Contribution) on the government site. The standard flat rate is €105, or an exemption depending on your situation.^[8] UM’s page mentions both 2025/26 and 2026/27 for the CVEC, so confirm the year on the official student portal. Tuition is only part of the bill: for rent and living costs, see our France guide and the Study in France guide.

How do you apply to the University of Montpellier?

The route depends on your level and where you live.

• Degree-seeking students from countries on the Campus France list: you must first file your application with Campus France through the Études en France procedure before you can consider enrolling at UM.^[9] UM also lists an online application through its international welcome desk.^[9]
• Bachelor’s, first year: UM names Parcoursup, the national platform for first-year applications.^[8]
• Master 1: UM names MonMaster, and eCandidat is also listed on the admissions page.^[8]
• Doctorate: see the doctoral studies page.^[8]

For enrolment details contact the student services (scolarité) of the faculty, school or institute you plan to join.^[9] 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?

UM’s page for international applicants gives no CEFR level and no list of accepted certificates for French-taught programmes. It tells you to ask the student services of your host faculty, school or institute.^[9] The CEFR is the European scale from A1 to C2, and B2 is upper-intermediate. Enrolled students whose course allows it can take French as a foreign language courses from level A0 to B2.^[9]

English-taught programmes need no prior French.^[5] The page does not state an English level or test score, so ask the programme before you book a test.

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
• Claude Bernard University Lyon 1
• University of Bordeaux
• University of Lille
• University of Strasbourg
• Université Grenoble Alpes
• Université Paris Cité
• Université Paris-Saclay
• Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier University