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Last updated: May 24, 2026

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon

France · Lyon

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon

France
Country
Lyon
City
2500
Total Students
Status
About the University

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon overview

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon is a prominent institution in Lyon, France, and one of the four Écoles Normales Supérieures. The school provides teaching and research education in the basic and experimental sciences, and in literature and the humanities.  It is home to about 2,500 students and 1,300 researchers, with numerous laboratories and research centers organized across ten departments.

The school is particularly known for the high-quality education it offers in pedagogy and education. It is also an important research center in French higher education. The school also ranks among the top positions in global university rankings. It was ranked 36th in the Shanghai 2020 rankings and 46th in the 2021 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. It placed 53rd in the QS 2020 rankings, and 1st in France in the Top 5 Under 50 World University Rankings.

École Normale Supérieure keeps strong ties with various partners in France and abroad, mainly through international agreements, institutional sponsorships, and individual initiatives based on joint foundations.

About the University

About École Normale Supérieure de Lyon

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon is a prominent institution in Lyon, France, and one of the four Écoles Normales Supérieures. The school provides teaching and research education in the basic and experimental sciences, and in literature and the humanities. It is home to about 2,500 students and 1,300 researchers, with numerous laboratories and research centers organized across ten departments.

The school is particularly known for the high-quality education it offers in pedagogy and education. It is also an important research center in French higher education. The school also ranks among the top positions in global university rankings. It was ranked 36th in the Shanghai 2020 rankings and 46th in the 2021 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. It placed 53rd in the QS 2020 rankings, and 1st in France in the Top 5 Under 50 World University Rankings.

École Normale Supérieure keeps strong ties with various partners in France and abroad, mainly through international agreements, institutional sponsorships, and individual initiatives based on joint foundations.

City
Lyon
Country
France
Number of Students
2500
#301
Times Universities
#111
QS World
#24
National Ranking
#301
Shanghai List
90%
Placement Rate
Faculties & Programs

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon faculties and programs

6 results listed

Mathematics

Graduate2 Years#51 Ranking
€250per year

Biology

Graduate2 Years#613 Ranking
€250per year

Earth Sciences

Graduate2 Years#101 Ranking
€250per year

Physics and Chemistry

Graduate1 Years#151 Ranking
€250per year

Computer Science

Graduate2 Years#201 Ranking
€250per year

Advanced Economics

Graduate2 Years#501 Ranking
€250per year
Scholarship Opportunities

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon scholarships and financial aid

The school provides scholarship opportunities to graduate and doctoral students it considers successful. This allows students to enjoy a more comfortable student life.
To apply for a scholarship and get more detailed information, you can visit the school's own official scholarships page.

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon Exam Requirements

Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.

Application Process

How to get into École Normale Supérieure de Lyon

If you want to study at undergraduate level at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, you must meet the following requirements:

  • High school diploma / IB diploma
  • Transcript documents
  • A certificate of your English level (TOEFL: 78 - 94 - IELTS: 6.0 - 6.5)
  • A certificate of your French level (DELF: B2 - DALF: C1 - DFP: C1)
  • Entrance exam

If you want to study at graduate level at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, you must meet the following requirements:

  • University diploma
  • Transcript documents
  • A certificate of your English level (TOEFL: 78 - 94 - IELTS: 6.0 - 6.5)
  • A certificate of your French level ( DELF: B2 - DALF: C1 - DFP: C1)
  • Entrance exam
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume/CV
  • Other academic certificates or diplomas, if any

Application Deadlines

ARALIK2027
Application deadline
ARALIK2027
Application deadline

* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon application process.

Campus

Take a closer look at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon

The buildings of Monod Campus stand in the Gerland district. Architects Philippe Dubois-Brunet and Daniel Barraud designed and built the campus after a two-phase architectural competition held in 1981 and 1982. This campus is served by the Debourg and Stade de Gerland metro stations.

On Descartes Campus, the faculty buildings are the work of the renowned architect Henri Gaudin. The architect Bruno Gaudin also designed the Denis-Diderot Library, which has direct access from the Debourg metro entrance. This campus holds the teaching building, the research building with its laboratories and research units, and the administrative building. It also holds the resource building, which contains production tools.

Campus Life

The school is spread over two campuses, Monod and Descartes, 800 meters apart. Both are easy to reach by public transportation (metro, tram, and bus). The campuses offer everything needed to provide students with the best possible conditions for studying and relaxing. Workshops, laboratories, study rooms, a library, cafes and restaurants, and bookstores are all on the campuses. 

The campuses include:

  • Dormitories designed to meet student needs
  • Restaurants
  • A spacious garden with trees
  • Gyms with high-quality sports equipment and gear
  • Computer rooms open 24 hours a day
  • Video recording studio
  • Theater room
  • Music room
  • Exhibition spaces
  • A shared event hall for internal events
  • Library
  • Bookstore
Student Profile

Notable alumni of École Normale Supérieure de Lyon:

  • Christine and the Queens - Musician
  • Alessio Figalli - Italian mathematician
  • Ian Brossat - Politician
  • Benedicte Savoy - French art historian
  • Clément Mouhot - French mathematician
  • Hédi Kaddour - Poet
  • Laure Saint-Raymond - Professor of mathematics at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
  • Nicolas Bergeron - Mathematician

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon Contact

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon Social Media

Follow the university on its official social media channels:

How to Get Into École Normale Supérieure de Lyon

01

In your first meeting with a Dream Uni advisor, your academic background, goals, and expectations are analyzed in detail.

02

By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.

03

The application process is managed meticulously by our professional team, and your acceptance letter is delivered to you.

Why École Normale Supérieure de Lyon?

Located in Lyon, France, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon is known for its academic excellence, distinguished faculty, and remarkably rich history.

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