Are you interested in studying in Normandy and searching for the right course? Are you just starting your studies, or getting back into them? Here in Normandy, you’re sure to find a learning environment that meets your needs. Whether you’re looking in the public or the private sector, both options offer a range of locations and courses. Vocational diplomas and degrees, preparation for Grandes Écoles, undergraduate degrees, master’s, and doctorates – Normandy caters to all educational backgrounds and fields. Explore our guide to find the ideal higher education establishment for you in Normandy!
The region’s universities
Our three universities are strategically located in the region’s three main cities. The primary higher education hubs, Caen and Rouen, host 33,000 and 27,000 students respectively. These institutions offer both general and specialised courses, with programmes ranging from one to eight years of study. The University of Le Havre is renowned for its maritime and international programmes. Conversely, Caen offers a wide range of master’s degrees, totalling 123. Rouen is unique in the region for its cultural education opportunities, which are offered alongside a diverse array of courses focused on transition.
It’s on the region’s campuses that you can really get a feel for what student life is like in Normandy: the atmosphere is vibrant and fun-filled, with activities and events offered by the Normandy CROUS, along with the famous Student Carnival (held every April) or the Kursus Festival which is organised at the beginning of the academic year by the University of Le Havre.
The University of Caen
Higher education establishments: IUT Grand Ouest Normandie / IAE de Caen (School of Management within the university) / INSPE Caen (National Institute of Teacher Training in Normandy) / ESIX Normandie Caen (School of Engineering) / XL-CHEM (Normandy University Research School)
Campuses: Campuses: Alençon, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Lisieux, Saint-Lô and Vire
Fields of study by UFR (Education and Research Units) and number of qualifications:
- Arts, literature and languages (13 undergraduate degrees / 14 master’s degrees / 8 university diplomas)
- Law, economics and management (8 vocational degrees / 9 undergraduate degrees / 6 professional degrees / 33 master’s degrees / 9 university diplomas)
- Humanities and social sciences (2 vocational degrees / 7 undergraduate degrees / 2 professional degrees / 34 master’s degrees / 4 university diplomas)
- Science, technology health (15 vocational degrees / 18 undergraduate degrees / 3 professional degrees / 39 master’s degrees / 3 engineering diplomas / 28 university health diplomas)
- Sport sciences (5 undergraduate degrees / 3 master’s degrees)
Benefits: A wide range of master’s courses (including teaching qualifications) / Focus on sustainable development, marine professions and the environment / LA.S and PASS courses in health / Foreign language centre / Courses in theatre, cinema, publishing, library studies, communication and marketing / Several master’s options in management, economics and business
And more: Apprenticeships, distance learning, CPD, international courses (Erasmus), preparation for entrance examinations…
Awards: The University of Caen Normandy is a winner of the ExcellencES programme (part of France 2030). It also won awards for two projects in the Skills for Future Professions competition, related to Artificial Intelligence (NORMANTHIIA project) and digitising healthcare (SATIN project).
The University of Rouen
Higher education establishments: IUT of Rouen & IUT of Evreux / INSPE Rouen & Evreux (National Institute of Teacher Training in Normandy) / IAE Rouen / IPAG Rouen (Institute for Preparation of French Civil Services roles) / IEG Rouen (Institute of Judicial Studies) / ESITECH Rouen (School of Engineering in Innovative Technologies)
Campuses: Mont-Saint-Aignan, Pasteur (Rouen town centre), Martainville, Le Madrillet – Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, Evreux, Elbeuf, Le Havre
Fields of study by UFR (Education and Research Units) and type of qualification:
- Arts, literature and languages (12 undergraduate degrees / 19 master’s degrees / 1 professional degree)
- Humanities and social sciences (10 undergraduate degrees, including in sport sciences / 20 master’s degrees / 3 professional degrees / 1 vocational degree)
- Law, economics and management (7 undergraduate degrees / 7 professional degrees / 20 master’s degrees / 4 vocational degrees / 2 university diplomas)
- Science, technology and healthcare (10 vocational degrees / 13 undergraduate degrees / 17 master’s degrees / 27 joint university diplomas / 19 generalised university diplomas)
Benefits: 17 undergraduate degrees and 13 master’s degrees, specialised in the environment, sustainable development and transitioning society / Courses in musicology and cultural development / Health studies centre that offers a wide range of qualifications, including vocational degrees / A number of options in law, management and economics
And more: distance learning, apprenticeships, CPD, international placements (10% of students are abroad, in 50 different countries)
The University of Le Havre
Higher education establishments:
- IUT of Le Havre
- ISEL Le Havre (Higher Institute for Logistics Studies)
Fields of study by UFR (Education and Research Units) and type of qualification:
- Humanities (1 university diploma / 5 undergraduate degrees / 7 master’s degrees)
- Science and technology (1 university diploma / 11 undergraduate degrees / 5 professional degrees / 13 master’s degrees)
- International Relations (10 undergraduate degrees / 1 professional degree / 13 master’s degrees)
- IUT (10 vocational degrees / 4 professional degrees)
- ISEL (1 engineering qualification programme)
Benefits: Courses in creative writing, tourism, urban development, civil engineering / Extensive international mobility
And more: apprenticeships, CPD, international options
Normandy’s “Grandes Ecoles”
The region is home to a number of these selective higher education establishments, catering to students from Normandy and from further afield. The different schools offer courses in fields such as engineering, industry, energy, computing and digital technology, fine arts and design, political science, business and management, hospitality, social studies, and more. These fields correspond with the region’s industries of excellence and professions for the future.
11 of them are part of a regional collective of schools and universities called Normandie Université. Its ambition: Supporting higher education throughout the region, ensuring that students have access to the best possible training and research facilities.
Students at the “Grandes Écoles” also enjoy vibrant social lives, thanks to their locations in medium to large towns with active student unions organising events throughout the year. Each school’s “Bureau des Etudiants” (Student Union) organises events throughout the year, to make sure that everybody on campus has a great time!
12 engineering schools
- ENSICAEN (Public Engineering School Research Centre) 811 students, including 775 engineering students / 300 partner companies / 6 CNRS-accredited research laboratories
- INSA ROUEN (National Institute of Applied Sciences, Rouen Normandy) 2,000 students / 11 engineering specialisations / 2 specialised master’s degrees / 8 research laboratories / 7 research master’s degrees
- Polyvia Formation Alençon (Higher Institute of Plastics Engineering)
- BUILDERS Caen (Engineering School) 800 students, including 120 in apprenticeships / 1 bachelor’s degree in construction (3-year degree) / 3 specialised master’s degrees (6-year degrees) / 1 laboratory
- CESI Rouen et Caen (Engineering School) 1,600 apprentices and students on work placements / 2 campuses in Caen and Rouen / 2 research laboratories
- ESIGELEC Rouen (Engineering school, specialising in intelligent and connected systems) 2,000 students / 35% international students / 95 partnerships in 44 countries
- UNILASALLE Rouen (Polytechnic Institute) 600 students / 1 campus / 1 research unit / 4 research laboratories
- ISEN YNCREA in Caen
- ECAM in Cherbourg (September 2024)
- “Arts et Métiers” school in Le Havre (September 2027)
Not to forget the engineering schools at Normandy’s three universities:
- ISEL Le Havre (Higher Institute for Logistics Studies)
- ESITECH Rouen (School of Engineering in Innovative Technologies)
- ESIX Normandie Caen (School of Engineering)
Art and Design schools
- ENSA Normandie Rouen (National Higher School of Architecture, Normandy) 700 students / 1 research team
- ESADHaR (Higher School of Art and Design, Le Havre-Rouen) 317 students / 2 campuses / 3 courses – 6 qualifications / 1 research laboratory
- ESAM Caen/Cherbourg (Higher School of Arts and Media) 310 students / 2 locations / 5 courses / 1 research laboratory
- BRASSART Caen (School of Creative Professions)
Business schools
- EM Normandie (School of Management) 5,000 students / 5 campuses / 1 laboratory / 3 research chairs
- NEOMA Business School Rouen 4,400 students / 23 foundation courses / 12 CPD courses / 3 campuses / One 100% virtual campus
- ESG Rouen (Higher School of Business & Marketing)
General/management schools (banking/communications/business/tourism)
- E2SE Caen
- WIN Sport School Caen (School of Sports Management)
- IPAC Bachelor Factory Caen
- IHECF Caen (School of Chartered Accountancy and Finance)
- AFTEC Caen (Business school)
- MBway Business & Management School
- ESARC Rouen (Vocational diploma school)
- SKALA Business School Rouen
- SCHOLAR FAB Caen, Le Havre, Alençon, Lillebonne & Lisieux (Normandy Chamber of Commerce & Industry network)
- IES Business School Rouen (School of Business & Management)
- IFAG (School of Management)
- ICP Rouen (Catholic University of Paris)
- CNAM Normandie (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers)
Political science schools
- SCIENCES PO Rennes, in Caen
- SCIENCES PO Paris, in Le Havre
Energy and maritime technology schools
- INTECHMER Tourlaville (Institute for Training and Research in Marine Sciences and Technology)
- EAMEA Cherbourg (School for Military Applications of Atomic Energy)
- ENSM Le Havre (National Higher Maritime School)
- Education hub: UIMM Eure Seine Estuaire Evreux, Le Havre and Port Jérôme sur Seine (Specialised industry training)
Social sector schools
- IDS Normandie (Institute for Social Development)
- IFEN Le Havre (Normandy Teacher Training Institute)
- IRTS Caen (Regional Institute for Social Work)
- UniLasalle Veterinary School – Rouen
- Alfort – Goustranville National Veterinary School
- Nursing programmes are also widely available throughout the region.
Digital and computing schools
- Ecole 42 Le Havre (Higher school for self-guided development training)
- ISEN Caen (Higher Institute of Electronics and Digital Technology)
- My Digital School (School for digital professions)
- SUPINFO Caen (School for IT Professionals)
- Normandie Web School Rouen (Private Technical College)
Hospitality, tourism and hairdressing schools
- Ecole TERRADE Alençon & Rouen (Beauty and Hairdressing Schools Network)
- Ecole FAUCHON Rouen (Catering and service school)
- TUNON Caen (Hospitality and tourism school)
Now you have everything you need to choose your dream course, in your dream school or university! This list of schools in Normandy is a selection of the most well-known in the region. Other more specific courses are also available: you can find them on the relevant page. Still undecided? Just visit the l’Agence Régionale de l’Orientation et des Métiers website: this regional careers advice service provides all the information you need to choose the right studies for you, with its helpful career fact sheets.