• Universities

The breathtaking volcanic landscape of France’s largest natural park, Volcans D’Auvergne, surrounds Clermont-Ferrand, the home of the University of Clermont Auvergne. The institution has only existed in its current guise since 2017, when Blaise Pascal University and the University of Auvergne remerged after having split four decades before.The University of Clermont Auvergne has nearly 35,000 students in attendance, with 4,600 of those international students. It is split into five colleges: law, economics, management; life sciences, health, environment; letters, languages, humanities and social sciences; engineering and technology and fundamental science. Across those disciplines, the university offers over 170 courses including 51 vocational bachelor’s degrees, 27 other bachelor’s degrees and 81 master’s degrees.After its formation, the university was designated an I-Site by the French government. This meant that it was eligible for extra funding towards the renovation of its campus into a centre for excellence.The University of Clermont Auvergne has 550 partnerships with other international universities. Around 600 students each year take a semester abroad, while 800 complete an internship outside of France.Clermont and Ferrand were previously separate cities before being merged by King Louis XV of France in the 18th century. The city’s monuments are distinctively dark, having been constructed out of the volcanic stone that the region is known for. Clermont-Ferrand has a strong cultural pedigree with an active live music scene and over a dozen exhibition venues. It also regularly hosts large events such as the International Short Film Festival, the International Jazz Festival and the biennial International Festival of Extraordinary Textiles. The mountainous surrounding region also offers opportunities for those interested in hiking, mountain biking and skiing.