Top Medical Colleges in France 2026: Best Universities for MBBS & Medical Degrees

Top Medical Colleges in France 2026

France is fast becoming one of the most attractive destinations for international students aspiring to study medicine in 2026. With a blend of rich healthcare education heritage, globally recognised qualifications, state-funded universities, and strong clinical collaborations, the country offers excellent opportunities for future doctors and healthcare professionals. In this blog, we’ll explore the top medical colleges in France 2026, including admission processes, fees, eligibility, exam patterns, campus details, and more — all based on the most recent and reliable data.

Overview: Why Study Medicine in France in 2026?

Before diving into specific colleges, it’s important to understand what makes medical education in France attractive for international students in 2026:

✅ World-Class Research & Clinical Training: French medical universities are closely linked to major hospitals and research institutes, offering hands-on clinical exposure.

✅ Affordable Tuition Fees: Public medical schools are largely subsidised by the French government, meaning low annual fees compared to many countries.

✅ Quality of Life & Healthcare Reputation: France’s excellent healthcare system ensures strong practical learning environments.

❗ Note: Most medical programs, especially undergraduate years, are taught primarily in French, and a strong proficiency (C1 level) is often required.

Top Medical Colleges in France 2026 – Ranked & Reviewed

Below is an updated table of the top medical colleges in France for 2026, ranked based on global and national performance, research output, and reputation.

Medical School / University	City	Approx QS Subject Rank (2026)	Tuition Fees (Annual)	Program Type
Sorbonne University – Faculty of Medicine	Paris	~45	€450–€900	MBBS/Medical Degree
Université Paris-Saclay – Medical Faculty	Paris & Surroundings	~77	€400–€800	MD/Medical Sciences
Université Paris Cité – Medical School	Paris	~77	€500–€900	MBBS/Medicine
Aix-Marseille University – Medical & Health Sciences	Marseille	201-250	€400–€800	Medicine & Allied
Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 – Laennec Faculty of Medicine	Lyon	~160	€450–€900	MBBS & Clinical Studies
University of Montpellier – School of Medicine	Montpellier	251-300	€400–€750	Medicine & Research
University of Strasbourg – Medical Faculty	Strasbourg	251-300	€400–€800	MD/MBBS
University of Lille – Faculty of Medicine	Lille	251-300	€450–€850	Medicine & Research

Note: Ranks shown are based on QS World University Rankings and other global lists for medicine in 2025–2026.

1. Sorbonne University – Faculty of Medicine

Location

Paris, France

1. Highlights

   • One of France’s most prestigious medical institutions, part of Sorbonne University — a top global university nationally and internationally. upGrad

   • Strong focus on research, clinical practice, and collaborations with Paris-based university hospitals.

   • Graduates are well-positioned for international careers or postgraduate specialisations.

   
   

2. Admission 2026 (Typical Timeline)

   • Registration Opens: December 2025 – January 2026

   • Document Review & Pre-Screening: January – March 2026

   • First Round Selection (PASS / LAS): April – June 2026

   • Final Admissions & Results: July – August 2026

   • Classes Begin: September 2026

   
   

3. Fees & Costs

   • Annual Tuition: Approx. €450–€900 (highly subsidised public fees).

   • Cost of living in Paris is moderate-high compared to other French cities.

   
   

4. Eligibility

   ✔ Completion of French Baccalauréat or equivalent (science stream).

   ✔ Proficiency in French (C1 level commonly required).

   ✔ PASS or LAS entry route (which filters students into second-year medicine based on ranking).

2. Université Paris-Saclay – Medical Faculty

1. Location

   Paris-Saclay region (Orsay, Gif-sur-Yvette, etc.)

   
   

2. Highlights

   • Ranked among the top universities for medicine and science in France and globally.

   • Offers intensive clinical practice connected to major teaching hospitals.

   
   

3. 2026 Admission Schedule

   • Applications Open: December 2025

   • Closing Date: April 2026

   • PASS / LAS Evaluation: May – June 2026

   • Final Offers: July 2026

   • Classes Start: September 2026

   
   

4. Tuition Fees

   • Around €400–€800 per year for public medical programs.

   
   

5. Career Pathways

   Students graduate into residency (Internat) or research pathways in various medical specialisations.

3. Université Paris Cité – Medical School

1. Location

   Paris

   
   

2. Highlights

   • Strong research output and centrally located in the French capital’s medical ecosystem.

   • Has been consistently ranked among the best French medical schools.

   
   

3. Important 2026 Dates

   • Registration: Jan – Mar 2026

   • Assessments: Apr – Jun 2026

   • Results: Jul 2026

   • Orientation: Aug 2026

   • Semester Start: Sep 2026

   
   

4. Fees

   • Approx. €500 – €900 per year for MBBS/medical track.

   
   

5. Eligibility & Entry Pattern

   Entry is competitive via the Parcoursup platform and the PASS / LAS track, requiring strong science background and French language skills.

4. Aix-Marseille University – Medical & Health Sciences

Location

Marseille

1. 🌟 Highlights

   • One of the oldest universities in France with a well-established medical faculty.

   • Offers practical clinical placements in local hospitals.

   
   

2. 🗓 2026 Admissions

   • Application Window: Dec 2025 – Mar 2026

   • Selection: Apr – May 2026

   • Enrollment: June – July 2026

   • Classes Begin: Sep 2026

   
   

3. 📊 Fees

   • €400–€800 per year for medical programs (public university).

   
   

4. 📍 Campus & Facilities

   Urban campus with access to several major hospitals and healthcare research facilities.

   
   

1.  5. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 – Laennec Faculty of Medicine

   
   

2. Location

   Lyon

   
   

3. Highlights

   • Well-known medical faculty with broad clinical exposure in Lyon’s healthcare network.

   
   

4. Admissions 2026

   • Registration: Dec 2025 – Mar 2026

   • Exam & Evaluation: Apr – May 2026

   • Enrollment: Jul 2026

   • Semester Start: Sep 2026

     
     

5. Fees

   • Around €450 – €900 per year in public tuition.

   
   

6. Eligibility

   • Baccalauréat or equivalent for first year PASS.

   • Strong science background and French proficiency (B2–C1).

6. University of Montpellier – School of Medicine

1. 📍 Location

   Montpellier

   
   

2. 🌟 Highlights

   • One of the oldest medical schools in the world (founded 1220). Wikipedia

   • Rich history in medical education and research

   
   

3. 🗓 2026 Timeline

   • Applications: Dec 2025 – Mar 2026

   • Pass / LAS Selection: Apr – Jun 2026

   • Final Results: Jul 2026

   • Academic Year Start: Sep 2026

1. 💸 Fees

   • €400–€750 per year for public medical training.

1. 7. University of Strasbourg – Medical Faculty

2. Location

   Strasbourg

   
   

   Highlights

   • Well-ranked French medical school with high educational standards.

     
     

3. 2026 Admissions

   • Registration: Jan – Apr 2026

   • PASS / LAS Assessment: May – Jun 2026

   • Offers: Jul 2026

   • Semester Begins: Sep 2026

   
   

4. Fees

   • €400–€800 per year (public tuition).

1. 8. University of Lille – Henri Warembourg Faculty of Medicine

   
   

2. 📍 Location

   Lille

   
   

3. Highlights

   • Largest medical training and research unit in France.

   
   

4. 🗓 2026 Admission Cycle

   • Registration: Dec 2025 – Mar 2026

   • Evaluation: Apr – Jun 2026

   • Enrollment: Jul – Aug 2026

   • Classes: Sep 2026

   
   

5. 💶 Fees

   • €450–€850 per year for MBBS/medical studies.

📊 Medical Education in France – Key Facts

📍 Program Duration

Level	Duration
MBBS / Premier cycle médical	6 years (PASS / LAS + Clinical)
Residency (Internat)	3–5 years (specialisation)

📌 Admission Process – 2026 (General)

🗓 How to Apply

All French public universities use the Parcoursup platform for first year enrolment through PASS (Parcours d’Accès Spécifique Santé) or LAS (Licence Accès Santé) pathways.

1. Registration Opens: Dec 2025 – Jan 2026

2. Submission of Documents: Jan – Mar 2026

3. PASS / LAS Assessment & Ranking: Apr – Jun 2026

4. Final Offers: Jul – Aug 2026

5. Classes Begin: Sep 2026

🎓 Eligibility & Exam Patterns

📌 Basic Requirements

✔ Completed high school or equivalent (science focus).

✔ Strong proficiency in French (commonly C1).

✔ Good performance in PASS / LAS first year.

📊 Exam Structure

• PASS / LAS first year: Combines coursework and end-of-year exams.

• Ranking: Determines progression into the second year of medicine.

FAQ – Top Medical Colleges in France 2026

Q1: What are the top medical colleges in France 2026 for international students?

A: Leading schools include Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris Cité, Aix-Marseille University, Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Montpellier, University of Strasbourg, and University of Lille — all ranked among France’s best for medicine.

Q2: Is studying medicine in France expensive for international students?

A: No — public medical school tuition is significantly subsidised, with fees often around €400–€900 per year for undergraduate medicine.

Q3: Do French medical colleges teach in English?

A: Most undergraduate medical programs are primarily taught in French and require strong proficiency (C1 level). Some specialised master’s or postgraduate courses may be available in English.

Q4: What exams are needed for admission in 2026?

A: Students must complete the PASS or LAS first year, then be ranked based on performance. Selection is highly competitive.

🧭 Conclusion

In 2026, studying at the top medical colleges in France offers a blend of world-class clinical training, strong research foundations, affordable tuition, and deep integration into European healthcare networks. Whether your goal is to become a general physician or a specialist, France’s medical schools provide rigorous, respected, and rewarding paths toward your medical career. With careful preparation for PASS / LAS and strong French language skills, you can secure a place at one of these prestigious institutions and step into a future in medicine that’s truly global.

🚀 CTA – Apply & Plan Your Medical Journey in France (2026)

Ready to begin your medical career in France? Here are official links to help you start your application and get accurate information:

🔗 Sorbonne University (Medicine): https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr

🔗 Université Paris-Saclay: https://www.universiteparis-saclay.fr

🔗 Université Paris Cité: https://u-paris.fr

🔗 Aix-Marseille University: https://www.univ-amu.fr

🔗 Claude Bernard University Lyon 1: https://www.univ-lyon1.fr

🔗 University of Montpellier – Medicine: https://facmedecine.umontpellier.fr

🔗 University of Strasbourg (Medicine): https://www.unistra.fr

🔗 University of Lille – Medicine: https://www.univ-lille.fr

🎯 Tips:

✔ Apply through Parcoursup early (opening Dec 2025).

✔ Improve your French (aim for C1 level).

✔ Prepare CAPES / LAS format if needed.