The École Normale Supérieure de Lyon is an elite French public institution that trains professors, researchers, senior civil servants as well as business and political leaders. Students choose their courses and split their time between training and research in sciences and humanities.
Built on the tradition of the ENS de Fontenay-Saint-Cloud, founded in 1880, the ENS de Lyon also focuses on educational research. It is a symbol of French Republican meritocracy and it remains committed today to disseminating knowledge to the widest audience and to promoting equal opportunity.
Education
A culture of excellence
Study programs tailored to students’ professional and personal projects
Internationally recognized training
Multidisciplinary training courses
French and International double degree courses (Engineering, Veterinary studies, Intercultural studies, French-German, etc.)
Ranked 5th place in the world for small universities (fewer than 5,000 students), Times Higher Education 2016
4th national place in the TOP 100 global institutions with the best student-to-staff ratio, Times Higher Education 2016
Research
Located in an internationally recognized center of excellence in health, chemistry and human sciences, the ENS de Lyon is home to numerous research laboratories in the fields of exact sciences, social sciences and the humanities. Research at the ENS de Lyon encourages exchanges between subject areas and culture.
Career
The diversified study offer a large range of career opportunities. From research, education, civil service to other private sectors such as industry, health, environment, energy, finance, media, publishing.
École Normale Supérieure de LyonKey Statistics & Highlights
#235Ranking
1 Courses
264Academic Staff
2,272Students
250Students (int'l)
1,068Students (female)
Public Institution Type
École Normale Supérieure de LyonOverview
École Normale Supérieure de LyonRankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 2.1%France
Top 3.5%Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
235
By TopUniversities
Dropped 30 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
187
205
235
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
657
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 12 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
2025
2026
2027
665
645
657
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
No 2027 Ranking
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
251
301
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
No 2026 Ranking
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
2024
2025
2026
301
301
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
There are many accommodation solutions in Lyon for students: Crous university public residences, privately-owned student residences, sharing arrangements, etc.
Library services
The library of the ENS de Lyon is home to some 1.2 million documents and electronic resources that can be consulted by anyone. Students, teachers and researchers from Lyon and its region can borrow titles from Monday through Friday 9am - 7pm and Saturday 9am - 5pm.
Find the main library for literature, the arts, social and human sciences as well as the specialized research collections.
ICT services
Each room has unlimited cable access to the internet and the ENS intranet as well as 36 television channels of which 27 are in foreign languages. With the appropriate decoder, residents also have access to satellite services from around the world. Residents have around the clock free access to the television room, music room, weights room and laundry rooms.
Campus life
Our campus, located close to the city center, is easily accessible by public transportation and provides students with an ideal environment to both study and relax.
Numerous student associations play an active part in campus life in areas as diversified as culture, the arts, sport, humanitarian action... Conferences, performances, concerts and exhibitions provide intense cultural and intellectual stimulation for all.
Sports facilities
The sports facilities of the ENS are available to members 7 days a week. The ENS has two gyms, one of which is equipped with a climbing wall (100m2 with a 10m section of overhang), a tennis court, 2 weights rooms as well as a dance room. Equipment is available free of charge (badminton and tennis rackets, balls...).
Student clubs
A flurry of student associations play a key part in the ENS de Lyon's campus life, whether in the fields of culture, the arts, sport or humanitarian action. The school also hosts myriad conferences, performances, concerts and exhibitions - exciting events for everyone.
École Normale Supérieure de LyonStudent Reviews & Awards
3.7
Based on 11 reviews
5 Star
3 Reviews
4 Star
6 Reviews
3 Star
0 Reviews
2 Star
0 Reviews
1 Star
2 Reviews
4/5
University of excellence
University that put the student into their priority
Posted byProvided by ESN
Studied fromJun 2024 - Sep 2024
Posted onApr 2025
4/5
Diploma evaluation
University offering excellent training, recognised for many years.
Posted byProvided by ESN
Studied fromSep 2023 - Jul 2024
Posted onApr 2025
1/5
No title
The ENS de Lyon is home to numerous research laboratories in the fields of exact sciences, social siences and the humanities. It is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in France. The school offrers a variety of courses so everyone can found the subject that he or she is particularly interested in. I signed up for translational classes led by motivated professors and PhD students from the University of Cambridge. I also highly appreciated my literature and history classes that improved my writing skills. What is more, I met a lot of international students from different parts of the world and started to speak French, English and Spanish on a daily basis.
All in all, I'd say that the ENS de Lyon is the place for those who are ready to work hard, meet talented people and bring knowledge to the world!