History

An ancient university at the heart of the Latin Quarter

Paris-Panthéon-Assas University is ideally situated in the historical heart of Paris, on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, where the first schools and colleges were established in the 12th century. The most famous of them was founded by Robert De Sorbon, chaplain of Saint Louis in 1253. Between 1200 and 1230, the University of masters and scholars of Paris achieved both royal and papal recognition and thus became a legal entity, commonly known as the Sorbonne. The Montagne Sainte-Geneviève quarter, crowned by the Panthéon has been a hub of intellectual life since the Middle Ages. It remains to this day the district of universities, bookshops and libraries par excellence. Whilst studying on several campuses, the students of Paris-Panthéon-Assas University enjoy a unique environment close to the Jardin du Luxembourg, where the Senate is located.

Background

Historically rich, Paris-Panthéon-Assas University is heir of the former Faculté de Droit et de Sciences Économiques de Paris, once comprising the Sorbonne and located in the heart of the Latin Quarter since the 13th century. At its origins, the University of Paris united four faculties: Theology, Medicine, Art, and Law. For nearly five centuries, the teaching of Law was centered exclusively on ecclesiastical Law until, under the reign of Louis XIV, Colbert introduced the instruction of civil Law, from which French Law would eventually arise. The University headquarters are situated in Paris' 5th district, Place du Panthéon. The building once designated as the Law faculty, in and of itself, bears testimony to a rich and storied past, witnessing changes in form and function from its construction in 1770 and onwards : it was first part and parcel of the vast urban planning project that circumscribed the Panthéon, then transformed into city hall during the Revolution, extended in the 19th century and again in the 1950's once its original purpose, its earliest raison d'être, was reinstated in 1805. The centre at rue d'Assas was built in the beginning of the 1960s by J. Le Maresquier, giving the University of Paris, fragmented after the revolutionary events of 1968, the name "Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas".

A university community steeped in history and traditions

Paris-Panthéon-Assas University is deeply attached to the history and inherited values that form the very basis of its traditions. Those traditions are maintained and honoured throughout the academic year. Key academic events, such as the formal ceremony organised to welcome 1st year students, the evening held in honour of the valedictorians of each Master’s degree, or the many prestigious cultural events, concerts, exhibitions, bring together all those who are the very heart and soul of the University and allow them to collectively express together their pride and celebrate the virtues of study, tolerance and freedom of thought. These are the values for which the University stands, as it has done for over eight hundred years. The same sense of identity also drives the University’s everloyal alumni community.

Last but not least, the daily work of a vast number of student organisations, proposing cultural events, sports meetings, demonstrations, etc., helps make our students feel at home, confident in their work and talent, shaping our invaluable community of knowledge, with which each individual can identify.

Key figures

• Established in the 13th century at the heart of Paris;
• 25 sites;
• 23,000 students;
• 1,500 professors.

Courses

• 5 major fields: Law, Political Science, Economics, Management, Information and Communication;
• 123 national degrees – Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhDs – and 69 University degrees;
• 20 double and triple European degrees;
• Preparatory courses for highly competitive exams such as the aggregation, the bar exam, exams for future judges and prosecutors;
• 1st online qualifying course on Agor@ssas digital campus.

International

• 300 international cooperation and exchange agreements;
• 3,000 foreign students hosted every year;
• 150 foreign visiting professors every year;
• 3 campuses abroad: Dubai, Mauritius and Singapore.

Research

• 5 postgraduate schools;
• 26 research centres;
• 1,000 PhD students;
• 200 PhDs and dissertations defended every year;
• 1st on-site and online university library with over 200,000 volumes;
• 22 specialised libraries;
• 1,200 printed and 30,000 digital French and international professional journals.