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FRANCE · GRENOBLE

Community Université Grenoble Alpes

public · Founded 2015 · Languages: French, English

In short

Community Université Grenoble Alpes (ComUE UGA) is a top global research university cluster in Grenoble, France, known for STEM disciplines and offering excellent research facilities. It provides standard French public university tuition for EU students and differentiated rates for non-EU students, with estimated living costs of EUR 700-1,000 per month.

Key facts

Type: Public
Founded: 2015
Students: 2,831
International students: 400
Tuition (intl): €4–5k/yr
Languages: FRENCH, ENGLISH
Location: Grenoble, France

The Community Université Grenoble Alpes (ComUE UGA) is the coordinating higher education and research community for institutions in Grenoble, Chambéry, Annecy, and Valence, established in 2015. It federates the Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP, Sciences Po Grenoble, and other institutions into a collectively top-100 global university cluster. Grenoble is a world-renowned science hub, hosting the ESRF, Institut Laue-Langevin, and cutting-edge research in physics, engineering, and nanotechnology.

Why study here

Part of a university cluster ranked in the global QS top 300 — one of France's leading research hubs.
Grenoble hosts world-class research facilities: ESRF synchrotron, Institut Laue-Langevin, and ITER-related labs.
Exceptional natural setting in the French Alps, with skiing, hiking, and outdoor sports on the doorstep.
Strong focus on STEM disciplines, with Grenoble INP among France's top engineering schools.
Affordable French public university tuition for EU students (under EUR 500/year); standardised rates for non-EU students.

Student life

Grenoble is consistently ranked among France's best student cities for quality of life. Its compact size, outstanding natural environment (ringed by three mountain ranges), and strong student population (over 60,000 students) create a dynamic social scene. Students enjoy ski resorts within 30 minutes, world-class climbing, and a vibrant cultural life. The city is well connected by high-speed train to Paris, Lyon, and Geneva.

Fees

InternationalNon-EU international students enrolled in French public universities pay the national differentiated tuition rate — approximately EUR 2,770 for licence (bachelor's) and EUR 3,770 for master's programmes per year. Doctoral programmes cost approximately EUR 380/year.

HomeEU/EEA students and French students pay standard public university fees: approximately EUR 170–243/year for licence and master's, EUR 380/year for doctoral programmes.

LivingMonthly living costs in Grenoble are approximately EUR 700–1,000. Annual costs: EUR 8,400–12,000. Student housing via CROUS is available from EUR 150–400/month.

Campus France advises international students on visa, accommodation, and registration. The ComUE itself is the coordinating entity; tuition is paid to the enrolled constituent institution.

Admissions

Baccalauréat or EquivalentFrench Baccalauréat or internationally recognised secondary leaving certificate for bachelor's entry.

French LanguageMost programmes are taught in French; DELF/DALF B2 typically required for non-Francophone students.

Parcoursup / Études en FranceApplications via Parcoursup (French students) or Études en France platform (international students).

IELTS6.0+ for English-medium programmes

TOEFL iBT79+ for English-medium programmes

Rankings

QS World University Rankings 2025 (UGA cluster)321

Times Higher Education 2025 (Grenoble Alpes cluster)201

University scholarships

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (Campus France)EUR 1,181/month for master's; EUR 1,400/month for doctorate

Grenoble INP Merit ScholarshipVaries by programme

Erasmus+ Incoming Mobility GrantEUR 700–800/month

Accreditation

Constituent institutions are accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESRI). ComUE UGA is a recognised public establishment under French law (établissement public de coopération scientifique).

Scholarships

for France

Browse all scholarships →

full funding

French Institutes for Advanced Study (FIAS)

French Institutes for Advanced Study (FIAS) Fellowship

Open to international scholars and scientists, primarily in the social sciences and humanities, who hold a doctoral degree plus at least 2 years of full-time post-doctoral research experience (or a master's plus 6 years). Applicants must comply with the transnational MSCA mobility rule, having spent no more than 12 months in France during the 3 years before the deadline.

French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Campus France)

MOPGA France Visiting Fellowship Program

Open to early-career foreign (non-French) researchers who hold a PhD obtained within roughly the last five years and who have lived outside France for most of the qualifying period before the call. Applicants must propose a 12-month research project that fits one of the programme's environmental and sustainability themes and must secure a letter of support from a French host laboratory. The programme is open to all nationalities except French citizens.

French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, managed by Campus France

France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Programme

For international students (non-French nationals) nominated by a French higher education institution for a master's or doctoral programme. Master's applicants are generally under ~25 and PhD applicants under ~30 (guideline). Selection favours academic excellence and priority fields; students cannot apply directly.

Embassy of France in Ghana (Service for Cooperation and Cultural Action)

French Embassy in Ghana Master's Scholarship

Open to Ghanaian nationals residing in Ghana who are under 30 years old at the time of application, hold a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and have completed National Service. A First Class or Second-Class Upper degree is given priority. Applicants must commit to studying in France for the full Master's programme. French language proficiency is not required except for applicants to French as a Foreign Language (FLE) programmes.

Sciences Po Émile Boutmy Scholarship

Non-EU international students newly admitted to a Sciences Po bachelor’s or master’s programme who are not eligible for state financial aid and demonstrate strong academic merit.

Fondation Mathematique Jacques Hadamard (FMJH)

Sophie Germain Masters and PhD Scholarships

Open to international students of all nationalities applying to a Master's (M1 or M2) or PhD in Mathematics and its Applications at Universite Paris-Saclay or the Institut Polytechnique de Paris. The first call is aimed at students from outside the Paris-Saclay area, including non-European applicants. Selection is based on academic excellence, with a stated focus on encouraging female applicants. Applicants typically need a CAMPUS France file number for visa purposes.

Frequently asked questions

What are the tuition fees for international students at Community Université Grenoble Alpes?

Non-EU international students pay a differentiated tuition rate of approximately EUR 2,770 for bachelor's and EUR 3,770 for master's programmes per year. Doctoral programmes cost around EUR 380 per year.

What are the estimated living costs in Grenoble?

Monthly living costs in Grenoble are estimated to be between EUR 700 and EUR 1,000, leading to annual costs of EUR 8,400–12,000. Student housing through CROUS ranges from EUR 150–400 per month.

What is the Community Université Grenoble Alpes and its global ranking?

The Community Université Grenoble Alpes (ComUE UGA) is a coordinating entity for higher education and research institutions in the region. The UGA cluster is ranked among the top 100 global universities.

What are the admission requirements for international students?

For bachelor's entry, a French Baccalauréat or an internationally recognised secondary leaving certificate is required. Most programmes are taught in French, often requiring a DELF/DALF B2 level for non-Francophone students.

Are there scholarship opportunities for international students?

Yes, opportunities include the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, the Grenoble INP Merit Scholarship, and the Erasmus+ Incoming Mobility Grant.

Last updated 30 June 2026