The Université de Technologie de Compiègne (UTC) is a public university and engineering school in Compiègne, north of Paris. It was created by the French government in 1972 as the country’s first experimental University of Technology, with the aim of teaching technology at university level and of involving industry in shaping the courses.
Engineering education is organised around five engineering specialities: biological, computer, mechanical, process and urban engineering. Students enter through a common core before moving into a speciality. UTC has eight research laboratories and a doctoral school, with about 270 doctoral students in 2024. It belongs to the UT group, together with the Universities of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard and of Troyes.
In 2024 UTC counted about 450 teacher-researchers and 400 support staff, and a network of about 28,300 graduates. It reports 204 international partner institutions and a site in Shanghai.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Ergonomics and UX, Fluid Dynamics, Industrial Design, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology and Genetics, Nanotechnologies, Optics, Physics, Process Control, Project Management, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics
Diplomas*:
Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Part of the UT Group (with UTT, UTBM). Numerous international partnerships and industrial chairs (e.g., with Dassault Systèmes, Renault).
Research:
Biomedical engineering and biomaterials, Human-centered AI and robotics, Complex systems engineering, Sustainable urban systems, Innovative product design.
Famous Alumnis:
Cécile Dublanche
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
800
Current students***:
5000
Foreign students***:
20%
Cumulative former students***:
25000
Pros
Pioneering engineering school with a unique pedagogical model, strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, excellent industry connections.
Cons
Highly selective, demanding project-based learning, campus located in Compiègne (smaller city).
Best For
Leading technology university renowned for innovation in bioengineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering.
INSA Toulouse, also public, trains engineers in computer science and aerospace-related fields.
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Arts et Métiers is a public engineering school in Paris, focused on mechanical, industrial and energy engineering.
Based in Palaiseau, Télécom Paris is public and adds digital technologies, data science and AI and cybersecurity.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
In the Netherlands, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven is a public technical university listed for data science and automotive technology.
Germany's Technische Universität Darmstadt is public and lists computer science and AI alongside mechanical and process engineering.
Politecnico di Torino, a public institution in Italy, is listed for automotive and aerospace engineering.
In Switzerland, EPFL is a public school covering engineering, computer science and life sciences.
Denmark's Technical University of Denmark is public, with engineering, wind energy and biotechnology.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
When and why was this technology university created?
The French government set it up in 1972 as its first experimental University of Technology. The founding idea was to teach technology at university level, with industrialists taking part in boards and departments.
Which engineering specialities are taught in Compiègne?
There are five: biological, computer, mechanical, process and urban engineering. Students begin with a common core and then specialise.
How big is the research base?
UTC has eight research laboratories and a doctoral school. In 2024 it had about 270 doctoral students and 450 teacher-researchers.
What are the staff and alumni numbers?
In 2024 UTC had about 450 teacher-researchers and 400 support staff, and the alumni network counts about 28,300 graduates.
Does UTC have international links?
It lists 204 partner institutions and a site in Shanghai.
Is UTC part of a wider network?
Yes, it belongs to the UT group of universities of technology, with Belfort-Montbéliard and Troyes.
Where can applicants find admission details?
Entry routes and tuition for each programme are published on the official UTC website, which should be checked for the current year.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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