
Lyon, France

Lyon, France

Cost Of Living

UCLy's mission is to educate students to become competent professionals and enlightened individuals, capable of navigating a complex world with critical thinking, creativity, and ethical responsibility. The university is committed to developing a demanding and innovative pedagogy that serves the success of every student, combining scientific skills with a human-centred philosophy. UCLy aims to build a welcoming and unique institution, demanding and proud, and above all free—an education with a strong critical spirit, capable of combining the best of human and social sciences with life and health sciences, innovating with companies, and providing society with the talents that France and Europe need. The university also champions inclusion, equal opportunities, and the fight against prejudice, striving to create social bonds through cultural engagement and the pursuit of meaning. The university's cultural mission, "Éduquer au beau et à l'intelligence de l'art, développer l'esprit critique et la créativité, lutter contre les préjugés, créer du lien social," captures this holistic educational vision.
Sister Nathalie Becquart is an alumna of the Theology faculty and serves as Under-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops at t... View More
Sister Nathalie Becquart is an alumna of the Theology faculty and serves as Under-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, one of the highest-ranking women in the Catholic Church's administrative structure. She has been a key figure in promoting synodality and women's participation in Church governance. View Less
An alumnus of the Faculty of Law, Franck Colcombet serves as President of the Executive Board of AURA Entreprises (Auver... View More
An alumnus of the Faculty of Law, Franck Colcombet serves as President of the Executive Board of AURA Entreprises (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Entreprises), the regional agency supporting industrial development, employment, training, and innovation. He signed a partnership convention with UCLy to strengthen ties between academia and industry. View Less
Promotion 2012 alumni of ESDES, these entrepreneurs co-founded FAUME, a company helping brands create and deploy effecti... View More
Promotion 2012 alumni of ESDES, these entrepreneurs co-founded FAUME, a company helping brands create and deploy effective second hand offerings through an integrated solution combining technology, logistics, and premium customer experience. FAUME raised €8 million in 2025 to support international expansion and works with brands including Lacoste, Sandro, Longchamp, and Gerard Darel. View Less
A 2014 ESDES alumnus, Louis Bonduelle co-founded Chez Nestor in 2012, a company in the housing sector. He is an entrepre... View More
A 2014 ESDES alumnus, Louis Bonduelle co-founded Chez Nestor in 2012, a company in the housing sector. He is an entrepreneur and investor from the prominent Bonduelle family, continuing the family's legacy in business while developing his own ventures in the real estate and technology sectors. View Less
UCLy's infrastructure is designed to support a complete and enriching university experience across its three campuses. The Carnot campus occupies a modern 14,000 m² building with 41 classrooms, 2 language labs, 7 amphitheatres (including one with 340 seats), and an exam room seating 100. The Saint-Paul campus maintains the historic character of the original university buildings while offering modern amenities. The Alpes Europe campus in Annecy provides a contemporary learning environment in a renovated former barracks. Across all campuses, students have access to university libraries, cafeterias managed by CROUS offering affordable meals, student lounges (three foyers in total), associative workspaces, a music room equipped with drums, a digital piano, amplifiers, and microphones, and even a dedicated nap room for rest and rejuvenation. The university also features a 400 m² sports facility named "Gérard Odras" on the Saint-Paul campus, equipped with weight training machines, table tennis tables, and changing rooms with showers. The entire infrastructure reflects UCLy's commitment to creating spaces that foster learning, creativity, community, and well-being.
Student life at UCLy occupies a central place in the university experience, with a vibrant community animated by approximately 40 student associations that operate voluntarily throughout the academic year. Students can engage in a wide range of activities, from humanitarian aid and environmental projects to cultural events, sports competitions, and artistic performances. The university's cultural mission organises exhibitions, concerts, performances, and conferences in partnership with artistic and cultural institutions of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. The annual inter-school challenge brings together students from different faculties in friendly competition, fostering camaraderie and school spirit. Student lounges on both the Carnot and Saint-Paul campuses provide spaces for studying, socialising, eating, rehearsing plays or choreographies. The student web radio, in partnership with RCF, offers students a platform to express themselves and develop communication skills. UCLy's holistic approach to student life ensures that students grow not only academically but also as engaged citizens and well-rounded individuals.


UCLy provides robust career support services designed to facilitate successful professional integration for all students. The Professionalisation Service within each faculty offers tools and resources to help students define their professional projects, including career fact sheets for various professions (lawyer, parliamentary assistant, diplomatic officer, HR director, hospital director, etc.), internship search assistance, and dedicated workshops throughout the academic journey. The university's strong ties with businesses, with over 1,000 partner companies, enable students to access professional internships integrated into all programmes, work-study (alternance) opportunities, and student missions. Experts and professionals are actively involved in teaching, ensuring curriculum relevance to workplace needs. UCLy Expert, the university's continuing education division, offers professional development programmes for individuals and companies, including certification programmes, executive masters, and customised training solutions. The university's alumni network, comprising tens of thousands of graduates, serves as a valuable resource for networking, mentoring, and job placement. Career support also includes CV and cover letter workshops, interview preparation, and job fair participation. Excellence grants awarded by partner companies further incentivise academic achievement and professional readiness. The university's 89% employment rate for engineering graduates (Bac+5) demonstrates the effectiveness of these career support initiatives.
The below information is required while
completing the university application :
1. Admission to first-year Bachelor programmes is conducted through the national Parcoursup platform.
2. Programmes are selective, requiring candidates to submit a motivation letter explaining their professional project.
3. International students may follow specific procedures through the International Student Desk (ISD).
4. For parallel admission into second or third year (L2 and L3), candidates apply directly to the faculty secretariat, submitting a motivation letter detailing their academic and professional background and career project.
5. Specific requirements vary by programme, with some programmes requiring entrance exams (e.g., ACCES for certain business programmes).
UCLy has a dedicated service that supports students in their relationships with companies and accelerates their professional integration. With over 1000 companies engaged with UCLy Expert, the university offers extensive recruitment opportunities through internships, work-study programmes (alternance), student missions, and direct hiring of graduates. Students can access professional training programmes that are closely linked to business needs, with experts and professionals involved in teaching. The university facilitates recruitment through corporate events, job fairs, and a strong alumni network of tens of thousands of graduates. Excellence grants are awarded by partner companies to support high-achieving students. The Career Service within each faculty provides personalised guidance, internship search assistance, and career workshops to help students define their professional projects and successfully transition into the workforce.





150th Anniversary and CTI Accreditation. UCLy celebrates 150 years of education and development, with the first class of CTI-accredited biotechnology engineers receiving their diplomas, symbolising the university's long tradition of training expertise in health and biotechnology since 1952.
Inauguration of the Maison de la Recherche et de l'Entreprise. This €1.8 million facility, funded by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (1/3) and corporate patronage (2/3), created 1,000 m² of dedicated space for research and business partnerships, housing 160 teacher-researchers and 60 doctoral students in enhanced working conditions.
Reopening of Maison Saint-Bernard Residence. After complete renovation, this on-campus student residence reopened with superior service offerings, providing modern, convivial housing for UCLy students in the heart of Lyon.
Launch of the Chaire Vulnérabilités (Vulnerabilities Chair). This research initiative addresses vulnerability as a transversal and multidisciplinary theme, bringing together researchers from across UCLy's faculties to study various dimensions of vulnerability in contemporary society.

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