Université Paris Cité

Overview

Université Paris Cité is a large multidisciplinary university in Paris, born from the merger of Paris Descartes and Paris Diderot universities (joined by the Institut de physique du globe de Paris). It covers health, sciences and the humanities, and is one of the French universities labeled "initiative d'excellence".

Arts and Performing Arts

On the artistic side, the institution stands out for its UFR devoted to Lettres, Arts et Cinéma, inherited from Paris Diderot. The Arts du spectacle bachelor's degree is oriented mainly towards film and audiovisual studies, with courses in film history, aesthetics and film analysis, image theory, as well as openings towards theatre, literature and cultural studies.

The approach is academic rather than professionalizing: the primary goal is to learn to analyze, write about and think through works, even though practical workshops (screenwriting, directing, programming) and projects may complement the curriculum. Master's tracks then allow students to specialize in film studies or related fields.

Strengths

• Multidisciplinary framework: possibility to combine cinema, literature, humanities and languages.
• Parisian location, proximity to cinémathèques, art house cinemas, festivals and cultural institutions.
• Solid training to pursue research, teaching, criticism, cultural mediation, or careers in culture and audiovisual industries.

Admission into L1 is through Parcoursup.