Presentation

An attractive university

Located in woodland to the north of the city, Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University, Faculty of Letters, Arts, Languages, Human and Social Sciences, is named after Paul Valéry, the great writer from Sète. With a registered, labelled "20th century heritage site" campus, just 20 minutes from the city centre by tram, the University enjoys a vibrant setting where Mediterranean vegetation, abundant parkland and numerous works of art combine for the pleasure of students and campus users alike.

Montpellier University was France’s third university, established after Paris and Toulouse. Founded on 26th October 1289 by papal bull under Pope Nicholas IV, it included Faculties of Medicine, Arts and Law. In 1970, these former faculties became three separate Universities, including Paul-Valéry, Montpellier 3.

An evolving University

The university campus is evolving, expanding and transforming. Several projects are currently planned or underway, including a General Resources Building, a new Staff House, or the future "Learning Centre" or Atrium, with its bold architecture, a striking statement at the entrance to the campus.

Research in the heart of the city

Opened in 2017, the Saint-Charles site, looking out onto the city, is the University's research showcase. The site hosts 19 interdisciplinary research teams, a Labex (Laboratory of Excellence), an ERC (European Research Council) programme, an IDEFI (Initiatives of excellence in innovative training) project, as well as Montpellier’s Maison des Sciences de l'Homme Sud.

Professional integration rate

  • 93% in Human and Social Sciences (SHS)
  • 87% in Languages, Letters and Arts (LLA)
  • 87% in Law, Economics and Business Management (DEG)
  • 81% of Master graduates find employment within 30 months after graduation

Proven attractiveness

  • The only university in Occitanie to win the "New curricula" call for projects with Nexus, based on digital humanities
  • First French university for distance education courses (EAD)
  • First French university for Licence degree attractiveness
  • 20% more students in the past 4 years

Sustained research quality

  • Ranked 3rdin "Languages, Texts, Arts and Cultures” research
  • 74% of researchers classified in categories A or A+
  • First European Research Council (ERC) project in France in the field of SHS

6 Training and research units and 1 Institute

  • UFR 1  (Faculty of Letters, Arts, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis)
  • UFR 2  (Faculty of Foreign and Regional Languages and Cultures)
  • UFR 3  (Faculty of Humanities and Environmental Sciences)
  • UFR 4  (Faculty of Social Sciences, Organisations and Institutions)
  • UFR 5  (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences)
  • UFR 6  (Faculty of Education and Sciences for LLASHS)
  • Institute for Information and Communication Technology (ITIC ) Information-Communication / Information and documentation / Language sciences

Academic publishing: PULMs

The university promotes a scientific publication policy through the Mediterranean University Press (PULM) .
With wide experience in the field of publishing, the PULM's mission is to participate in the dissemination and promotion of research.
PULM is a top academic publisher, with an average of 50 books published per year, in both paper and digital formats.

International Partnerships

  • More than 4,000 international students of 128 different nationalities 
  • 65 thesis co-supervisors, 120 cooperation agreements worldwide
  • 365 Erasmus agreements + in Europe 7 co-diploma courses (1 Erasmus-Mundus)
  • 9 off-site training courses40 teacher-researchers on university mobility programmes

The campus, a place of culture and innovation

Paul-Valéry University confirms its role as a major regional player in the field of culture through professionalisation and excellence. With the University Cultural Centre (CCU), and its three major facilities: La Vignette Theatre, Museum of Mouldings and the University Symphony Orchestra. The University works in close partnership with the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC-LR), as well as many other major cultural institutions and organisations.

- La Vignette Theatre

Over 14 seasons, and with nearly 10,000 spectators per year, La Vignette Theatre has gained a fine reputation. An officially labelled "public-funded theatre", this centre of contemporary creation, where young generations rub shoulders with internationally renowned artists, has become a place of reference in the national landscape.

- Museum of Mouldings

Unique in France, this collection of sculptures is a listed "historic monument". The museum hosts temporary exhibitions such as Rodin in 2017, and the prestigious works of the Louvre in 2018, as well as training workshops for restoration of works.

- University and Conservatory Symphony Orchestra

Born of the partnership between Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University, the Regional Conservatory of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole and Montpellier National Orchestra, the CRR-UPV Symphony Orchestra is open to students from Paul-Valéry University, the Conservatory and other Montpellier universities and prestigious higher education institutes.

Student House

More than 30 on-site student associations bring music, sport, arts, citizenship... and many a festive moment to light up the campus! Student House hosts students, organising numerous meetings, concerts, shows and events.

Last updated : 05/12/2023