This list of universities and colleges in France includes universities and other higher education institutes that provide both education curricula and related degrees up to doctoral degree and also contribute to research activities. They are the backbone of the tertiary education institutions in France.They are listed as different categories, depending on their administrative status, size and extents of research activity compared to educational activities.
Aside from the nationally funded public education system that provides recognised degrees to the vast majority of students in France and that keeps tuition fees low, there exist private institutes.
See main article: Pôle de recherche et d'enseignement supérieur.
French public universities (see List of public universities in France for a detailed list) are as of 2015 in the process of reorganization according to the Law on Higher Education and Research passed in July 2013. This includes some merging of institutions, and the previous high-level organization under French: [[Pôle de recherche et d'enseignement supérieur]]|italic=no (PRES) has been dissolved for Communities of Universities and Institutions (COMUE).
See main article: Établissement public à caractère scientifique, culturel et professionnel and Grands établissements.
The (EPCSP) that are not listed as universities in the list above operate as university-grade institutes.
See main article: Grandes Écoles.