Has Ecole Politechnique eclipsed the Sorbonne as the most prestigous French uni?

I'm very interested in pursuing my higher education in France once I'm done with sixth form. It'll likely be a degree in history. I know that the Sorbonne has a very rich history, good academic reputation and situated in the centre of Paris.However most world rankings seem to favour Ecole Politechnique as France's best university by a mile. Which would you say is the better university in terms of the quality of teaching and research? Cheers

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 1

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

The École Polytechnique doesn't do a history degree, it is an engineering college. The most prestigious French universities that do history are Université Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, École Normale Supérieure and SciencesPo. They're all pretty much equal, although SciencesPo is probably the most internationally recognised.

Reply 2

uniofoxbridge

That's great to know. Does that mean the world rankings are favouring universities that only do engineering? What makes the sciences better than the humanities? Also explains why MIT and Caltech tops the QS and Times rankings.

Reply 3

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

The sciences aren't better than the humanities. Specialist institutions always do better in rankings list, which is one of many reasons why you shouldn't pay much attention to them.

Reply 4

uniofoxbridge

Oh I agree, those universities shouldn't be judged on a sole metric. I'll check out that SciencePot uni you mentioned, never heard of it but it might be just what I'm looking for.

Reply 5

Sorbonnard

For a degree in history, La Sorbonne would be your first choice on a condition that you have mastered the French language.

Reply 6

Protagoras

Ecole Polytechnique = Imperial College, London

L'Institut d'etudes Politiques de Paris / SciencesPo = London School of Economics

La Sorbonne = to King's College / Queen Mary / Royal Holloway, London

Reply 7

Tcannon

French students have to sit a rigorous concurs for Sciences Po, ENS and Polytechnique. Admissions are highly selective. They take a two year prep course to pass entrance.

I recall that for history, a few well known French historians teach at ENS.

Reply 8

Sorbonnard

Original post by Tcannon

Above all, there is no degree that ENS grant. Those well known french historians also give lecture at La Sorbonne. The history department of Paris 1 is one of the most important center in France and in Europe.

The famous French concours is selective , but it does not mean there is no selection in University at all. Many French student fail each year at the University.
It is hard to stay at La Sorbonne.