Sorbonne University

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Sorbonne University is a renowned public research institution located in Paris, France, with a historical legacy that dates back to 1257. It originated from the College of Sorbonne, founded by Robert de Sorbon, chaplain to King Louis IX, to support underprivileged theological students. Sorbon's vision was to create a community where students could live and study free from financial burden, devoted entirely to academic pursuit. The College of Sorbonne quickly became a central part of the University of Paris, which was one of the first universities in Europe. Although the college was closed in 1793 during the French Revolution, the name and influence of the Sorbonne continued through various academic evolutions over the centuries. In 2018, Sorbonne University was officially reestablished through the merger of Paris-Sorbonne University (Paris IV), known for humanities, and Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI), known for science and medicine. This reunification marked a return to a more comprehensive academic model, reflecting the original breadth of disciplines once found in the medieval university.The university is widely respected across Europe and the French-speaking world, attracting students and researchers from a wide range of countries. One of its most notable historical figures is Marie Skłodowska-Curie, who joined the Faculty of Sciences in 1891 and later became the first woman professor at the Sorbonne. She, along with her husband Pierre Curie, played a foundational role in shaping the institution’s science faculty. As of 2021, Sorbonne University’s alumni and faculty have received 33 Nobel Prizes, six Fields Medals, and one Turing Award, underscoring its strong tradition of excellence in research and education. The university still occupies the historic Sorbonne building in central Paris, which it shares with Panthéon-Sorbonne University, symbolizing its enduring academic heritage in the heart of Europe.