History
Founded in 1432 by the King of England Henry VI, the University of Caen was destroyed in 1944 during the Battle of Normandy. It was among the first buildings to be rebuilt during the city reconstruction after World War II. Redesigned with a futuristic vision, it became one of the most modern universities in Europe. In 2012, part of its buildings were thus classified as historical monuments.
Education
The University of Caen Normandy offers two-to five-year degree programmes in four major fields of study and 36 doctoral specialties. The courses up to the master's degree level are held by 12 university departments.
Its programmes are spread over four main fields:
- Arts, Literature, Languages
- Law, Economics, Management
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Science, Technology, Health
Research
A major strength of the University of Caen Normandy is its multidisciplinary approach which forms the foundation of its teaching. Its expertise, partnerships and projects enable the development of research activities on the following themes: health, materials, digital technology, environment and equine research.
UNICAEN works closely with a broad range of local research centres and institutions:
- ENSICAEN
- Graduate school of engineering, GANIL
- National large heavy ion accelerator, CYCERON
- Biomedical imaging platform, CHU
- University hospital centre, CLCC François Baclesse
- Comprehensive cancer centre
Career
With a 90% employment rate after a Professional Bachelor or a Master Degree, UNICAEN help you build a successful future.
University of Caen Normandy Key Statistics & Highlights
- #1022 Ranking
- 40 Scholarships
- 3,123 Academic Staff
- 68,075 Students
- 8,169 Students (int'l)
- 38,122 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
University of Caen Normandy Overview
University of Caen Normandy Scholarships
University of Caen Normandy Scholarships
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University of Caen Normandy Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 12 places compared to 2025
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
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 997 | 1034 | 1022 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
By TopUniversities
Dropped 200 places compared to 2025
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1001 | 1001 | 1201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Housing services
It is important that you anticipate your stay in advance and not wait to be in France to look for housing. Caen is a busy University town with many students (about 25% of its global population!), and it can be quite challenging to find suitable housing at the last minute.
The CROUS Caen Normandie, partner of the University of Caen Normandy, offers different student housing options on our different campuses (single rooms, studios, T1...). It is not necessary to wait for your UNICAEN confirmation to apply for CROUS housing. You have the possibility to make 2 housing choices in 3 different areas (académies) in France.
Library services
- UNICAEN has a network of 5 university libraries and 20 specialised faculty libraries.
- The library portal provides unique access to all university library resources, in both printed or digital forms: books, articles, journals.
- The digital resources offered by the libraries (online journals, databases, e-books, etc.) are also remotely accessible, i.e. off campus.
ICT services
- free WiFi network: many WiFi hotspots are installed on the various campuses allowing you to connect to the Internet from your personal equipment
- UNICAEN secure cloud: access to all your files via the Internet
- self-service computer rooms: workstations allow you to connect to the Internet for office automation, PDF readers, image editing etc.; multifunction copiers are also available
Medical services
The university health center provides students with medical, psychological and social care for free. There you can meet doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers. It also contributes to the support and integration of students with disabilities. SUMPPS doctors cannot prescribe medication but they can refer you to a medical office in the city.
Campus life
UNICAEN is an academic community of campuses in and around Caen. Our six distinct campuses offer an array of diverse learning environments:
- Alençon - Damigny
- Caen
- Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
- Lisieux
- Saint-Lô
- Vire
At UNICAEN, treat yourself to all of the Normandy region’s advantages such as the coastline, proximity to the United Kingdom, a fast and easy access to Paris and cultural & attractive sporting activities. The Region also has a strong cultural tradition that is illustrated both by major international events and by the diversity of its heritage.
Sports facilities
The University Service of Physical and Sports Activities - SUAPS offers all UNICAEN students and staff the opportunity to practice sports on a weekly basis. With nearly 70 sports activities, the SUAPS offers a wide range of physical activities as well as sports equipment: climbing wall, fitness room, swimming pools, gymnasium, dance hall, tennis and outdoor racket and ball games...
The SUAPS also organises courses (skiing, diving, climbing, paragliding, golf, outdoor physical activities...) and events (Nuits des Sports Co, Nuit de la Raquette, Volleyball-fluo, Journée Sport Campus, Soirée Forme...) throughout the year.
Accreditation
The university was established in 1432. It is accredited by Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, France.
University of Caen Normandy Campus Locations
University of Caen Normandy Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 9 reviews
- 5 Star 3 Reviews
- 4 Star 5 Reviews
- 3 Star 1 Review
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
My unique experience
My time in higher education has changed me in both mind and character. It's shaping my career and my ambitions as a global citizen. Coming from Haiti to study public health in France lets me connect different cultures and health care setups. This exposure to varied views and backgrounds has been very rewarding. At the Université d’État d’Haïti, I learned the basics of science in pharmacy while seeing the difficulties of weak health systems. Those years taught me to be tough, think critically, and feel responsible to my community. Studying at Université Caen Normandie broadened my view to a global level. I like the focus here on how to do research, study diseases, look at data, and make choices based on proof. The school spirit pushes us to think hard, talk across different fields, and come up with creative ideas. These are all very important in today's fast-changing health world. I like how the classes show what's current in global health: changes in technology, artificial intelligence, policies based on data, health risks tied to the weather, and how systems can recover after a crisis. Mixing research with solving real problems has made me a better leader. It's helped me relate what I learn in school to what I've done in my career in getting medicines where they need to go, giving vaccines, and studying health data. One thing that could get better is having more organized partnerships between universities in rich and poor countries to share knowledge more fairly. While there's variety here, more joint research projects tied to difficult situations would have a bigger effect and make global unity even stronger. In short, my time studying has made me feel strong, aware of the world, and driven. It is giving me skills and a sense of purpose. I see education as a way to help things grow for a long time. After I finish my studies, I want to help make health systems stronger through new ideas, research, and changes in technology, mainly in places where resources are tight. I want to lead projects that mix data science, public health, and doing things that protect the environment to create strong systems that match the goals for making the world a better place. More than just getting a degree, my time at university has been a promise to be fair, to be good at science, and to lead well in global health.
My review.
My university is a pretty good one in France. Teachers are wonderful and passionate in what they are teaching.
Degree in foreign languages
It was a very interesting degree that allowed me to progress in languages.