Created in 1969 from the former University of Toulouse, whose roots go back to the 13th century, Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier takes its name from Paul Sabatier, the chemist who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1912. On 1 January 2025 the institution adopted the name Université de Toulouse.
Its components include the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the Faculty of Sport Sciences and Human Movement, health faculties covering medicine, pharmacy and odontology, a university institute of technology (IUT) and the engineering school UPSSITECH. The university is public.
The university reports about 37,000 students and about 4,300 staff, with more than 60 research laboratories and structures. Research fields named on Wikipedia include mathematics, space, astrophysics and aeronautics, computer science and electronics, biology, geoscience and climate, health, chemistry and materials. Programme and admission details are on the university website.
Domains taught:
Aerospace, AI and Machine Learning, Astroscience, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Food Science, Geotechnics, Industrial Design, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Marine Science, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology and Genetics, Nanotechnologies, Optics, Physics, Process Control, Project Management, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Sound Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics, Transportations
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Part of Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées. Strong links with aerospace industry (Airbus, CNES, ONERA) and research labs in Toulouse.
Research:
Space sciences & astrophysics, Aeronautics, AI & robotics, Materials science, Cancer research, Environmental science.
Famous Alumnis:
Paul Sabatier (Nobel laureate, faculty)
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
4000
Current students***:
37000
Foreign students***:
10%
Cumulative former students***:
N/A
Pros
Located in Europe’s aerospace capital, strong research in science and technology, wide range of programs.
Cons
Large university, campus can feel sprawling, some facilities may require renovation.
Best For
Leading university for science, engineering, and health, particularly strong in aerospace-related fields.
University of Helsinki in Finland is a public university combining atmospheric science, life sciences and computer science.
*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 was Paul Sabatier University created?
It was formally created in 1969 when the older University of Toulouse was divided. Its origins go back to the 13th century.
Who was Paul Sabatier?
He was a chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1912, and the university carries his name.
Why is the university now called Université de Toulouse?
On 1 January 2025 the former Toulouse III absorbed the Toulouse University System and adopted the name Université de Toulouse. Both Wikipedia and the university's website use that name.
How many students does it have?
Figures of about 37,000 students are reported for recent years, and the university website mentions about 37,700. Staff numbers are around 4,300.
Which fields are taught?
Science and engineering, health, and sport sciences are the main areas, along with an IUT and the UPSSITECH engineering school. Space, aeronautics and computer science are among the research strengths listed by Wikipedia.
How can I find admission and tuition details?
Both are published on the university website, where programmes are listed by level and the registration procedure is explained.
*: 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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