Located in the centre of Lyon – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second largest university town in France – and in Bourg-en-Bresse (Ain), Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University offers a learning and research space focused on the humanities and social sciences with programmes ranging from two-year foundation degrees to PhDs (Bac +2 to Bac +8).
The University offers career-oriented programmes in Law, Political Science & International Relations, Francophone studies, Administration, Management, Accounting, Philosophy, Languages, Arts, History, Geography & Planning, and Information & Communication with qualifications ranging from two-year foundation degrees (Bac +2) to PhDs (Bac +8) in six faculties and institute.
Jean Moulin University offers programmes structured in accordance with the European higher education “three-cycle” system, based primarily on three types of degree – Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees – and employing the ECTS credits principle (European Credits Transfer System).
Research
Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University, a member of the University of Lyon, is dedicated to the humanities and social sciences.
To enable our researchers to address the challenges facing society, our research is organised into 19 research units covering a broad spectrum of humanities and social sciences – from law to management science, from history and geography to information and communication sciences, from philosophy to the urban and social environment, and from literature to languages and cultures.
Jean Moulin University Lyon IIIKey Statistics & Highlights
#1201Ranking
1 Courses
707Academic Staff
29,617Students
6,220Students (int'l)
19,251Students (female)
Public Institution Type
Jean Moulin University Lyon IIIOverview
Jean Moulin University Lyon IIIRankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 29.6%France
Top 26.9%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
1201
By TopUniversities
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
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
2024
2025
2026
1201
1201
1201
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
1501
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
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
2024
2025
2026
1501
-
1501
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
There are many different types of accommodation in Lyon and the surrounding area: CROUS university residences, private university residences, apartment rentals (via estate agents or private individuals), flat or house shares, renting a room, etc.
Library services
5 university libraries located on Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse campuses.
Medical services
Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University provides a Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion Centre (the SMPPS) open to all of the University’s students.
Campus life
Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University offers a range of high quality courses across three sites located in the centre of Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse. If you are studying in Lyon, your classes will take place at one of two campuses depending on your course selection.
Manufacture des Tabacs campus
Quais Campus
Bourg-en-Bresse Campus
Year-round concerts, theatre, cinema, events and exhibitions on campus.
Various excursions giving students an opportunity to discover the heritage and cultural highlights of the city of Lyon, including the Opera House, the Célestins theatre and the Fine Arts museum etc. These visits are often free of charge, or at drastically reduced prices.
Sports facilities
Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player or at competition level, Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University offers a wide range of sporting activities: team and individual sports, fitness, dance, relaxation, etc.
The high-quality training facilities and numerous sporting events create a lively campus atmosphere all year round.
Student clubs
Committed to creating a vibrant atmosphere on its campuses, Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University attaches great importance to student life and student associations. Almost 80 student associations participate fully every year with their cultural, solidarity or sporting initiatives. The University is also committed to the successful integration of its students, with highlights including the Welcome Day and various International Days, etc.
Accreditation
It is accredited by Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, France.
Jean Moulin University Lyon IIIStudent Reviews & Awards
4.1
Based on 26 reviews
5 Star
8 Reviews
4 Star
12 Reviews
3 Star
6 Reviews
2 Star
0 Reviews
1 Star
0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
Student Teacher Interaction4.2
Student Diversity4.0
Quality of Student Life4.2
4/5
Studying in Lyon
Studying at Universit� de Lyon has been a fantastic experience so far. One of the aspects I appreciate most is the strong emphasis on research and innovation, especially in fields like business, engineering, and life sciences. Professors here are experts in their domains, and many have industry experience, which adds a practical perspective to the lectures.
The university's location in Lyon is a huge advantage. It�s a vibrant city with a rich history and culture, providing plenty of activities outside the classroom. I�ve enjoyed exploring the city�s beautiful parks, museums, and restaurants, which make for great study breaks. The student life is very active, with a variety of clubs and events that cater to different interests, making it easy to meet new people.
However, one challenge is the large class sizes in some popular programs, which can make it harder to get individual attention from lecturers. Also, the administrative processes could be streamlined to reduce confusion during course registration. I highly recommend Universit� de Lyon for students seeking a dynamic study environment and a well-rounded university experience.
Posted byAlicia
Studied fromUnknown
Posted onJun 2025
4/5
M.SC. Biology
In terms of university, I think it's one of the best. In a social sense, I love it too. Every class (mostly seminar style) I attended was extremely enriching and eye-opening - the readings and discussions tended to teach you something each time.
Posted byR�gis
Studied fromUnknown
Posted onJun 2025
3/5
Demanding program but stressful organization
I am currently studying at Universit� Jean Moulin Lyon 3, and my overall experience is mixed.
On one hand, the program is quite demanding, which can be a good thing academically. However, I personally find it very intense. There is very little flexibility in grading, and we are constantly being assessed, whether through midterms or final exams. The schedule is tight, and it often feels like we don�t have enough time to rest or properly recover between exams. The absence of resit opportunities makes the situation even more stressful.
Another issue is the lack of classrooms. There are clearly not enough rooms for all students, and the organization of classes is sometimes inefficient because of this.
Overall, while the academic level is solid, the pressure and organization could be improved to provide a better student experience.
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