College Profile: Sorbonne University

katspitzer
Jul 11
3 min read

I recently spent some time in Paris and had the privilege of visiting Sorbonne University. Sorbonne isn’t just one of Europe’s oldest institutions, it’s a dynamic, multicultural, multidisciplinary powerhouse at the heart of Paris. Between centuries-old chapels, modern labs, student bands, debating societies, and global networks, life as a student here blends tradition and innovation pretty seamlessly. I was particularly drawn to the area around the school, filled with endless bookshops and cafes and everything else Paris offers.

Fun Facts & Campus Life:

Brass band in cyan overalls: The Moktar Sound System, founded in 2009, performs everything from French chansons to jazz; no musical training required!
Art everywhere: PS’ART promotes creativity across music, painting, cinema, writing, and helps students launch artistic projects.
Largest solidarity student group in France: SOL’SU sends ~300 students yearly to humanitarian missions abroad.
Unique traditions: You’ll hear French phrases like poser un lapin (“to stand someone up”) casually used even at the uni. Expect some spontaneity!

History:

Medieval roots (1257): The Sorbonne College was founded by Robert de Sorbon as part of the University of Paris. The college earned its fame in theology and higher learning.
Richelieu’s makeover (1622–1642): Cardinal Richelieu commissioned renowned architect Jacques Lemercier to design the iconic domed chapel and chose it as his final resting place.
Reforms & revolutions: The Reign and Revolution of 1793 temporarily abolished the university; it was reborn under Napoleon in 1806 with renewed faculties. A major reorganization in 1968 led to multiple universities emerging from the original.
Modern rebirth (2018): Paris‑Sorbonne University (Paris IV) and UPMC (Paris VI) merged to form today's Sorbonne University on January 1, 2018.

Traditions & Cultural Life:

Grand Amphitheatre: Built in 1889 and seating 1,000, this historic venue hosts ceremonies, speeches, prize awards, and probably your graduation one day.
Chapelle Sainte‑Ursule: Dating back to Richelieu’s 17th-century renovation, it's an architectural gem still undergoing careful restoration.
Faluche “student cap” society: A French student tradition dating back to 1888, Faluche members - especially in sciences, medicine, and engineering - often wear caps at uni events.
Debating culture: Débattre en Sorbonne, founded in 2013, organizes public debates and mock trials; very Oxford/Cambridge Union style.

Student Stats:

(as of mid-2024)

Student body: ~ 53,000 students, 11,500 international.
Degrees awarded each year: ~ 9,200 Bachelors, 8,200 Masters, and 2,600 medical/doctoral grads.
Academic staff: 3,300 professors, 3,800 research partners, and ~ 7,000 staff total.
Doctoral candidates: ~ 3,900 pursuing PhDs.
International reach: 750 international programs, 1,500 Erasmus+ agreements, strategic locations like Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, and the 4EU+ alliance.
Outcomes: Over 90 % employability among graduates, 12,500 active alumni, and robust research output including 135 labs and partnerships.

Collections & Campus Highlights:

Mineralogy & science museums: Home to extensive fossil, zoology, papyrology, and mineral collections. Over 1,500 mineral specimens are displayed on the Jussieu campus.
Dupuytren anatomical collection: Now in secure storage, these are research-only pathological specimens.
Charcot Library: Contains Jean-Martin Charcot’s medical manuscripts, which is open to researchers and scholars.

Academic Highlights:

A rich tapestry of disciplines: from Arts & Humanities to Medicine, Sciences & Engineering.
Deep research credentials: 5 Nobel Prize winners and 3 Fields Medalists since 2004.
Open science leader: Over 100,000 open-access articles online; France’s top university for open-access publishing.
Vibrant cultural life: Monthly science & culture events, student-led ensembles, strong support for multilingual and inclusive programming.

Studying internationally at a renowned university is an amazing opportunity. If Sorbonne sounds like the place for you, I encourage you to check out their website at https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/en.