University of Poitiers

The University of Poitiers was founded in 1431 and in the 16th century it was the second important university in France (after Paris). Celebrities as Guez De Balzac, François Rabelais, René Descartes en Francis Bacon studied here. Nowadays the University of Poitiers is a modern, multidisciplinary university covering all major fields of study and open to the socio-economic community. Located in the capital of the region, the university has three major sites, 23,500 students and 2,600 staff members. Its influence extends through the entire region with its centres in several other towns.The University is developing high standard research in numerous fields thanks to its renowned research facilities. The University Centre for Relations with Enterprises reaches out to the community and aims to valorize the University’s knowledge. This, of course, has a very positive influence on  the quality of teaching. Curricula adapted to the professional needs of the students, small-classes, tutorials, practical and lab work also contribute to  this high quality.The University provides specific training programmes for employees and job seekers . As a result the University has an excellent reputation nationally and internationally; over 3000 foreign students from more than 110 countries study annually at the University of Poitiers.