History
The UPPA has its root in a local university history dating back to the XVIth century, with the creation of a Collège des Arts (an institute for Humanities) in 1549, and then of the third protestant academy in Europe in 1564, which in 1583 was established as a University. The University was done away with when the Béarn region was incorporated into France in 1620.
Education
The University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour (UPPA) is a multidisciplinary university which covers three major areas of study:
- law, economics, business, management
- science and technology
- literature, languages, arts, social sciences and humanities and sport
UPPA offers its students initial or continuing education, work/study programmes or apprenticeships, to obtain Bachelor’s, Master’s and vocational degrees and Doctorates through its 5 UFRs (Teaching and Research units) and two Doctoral schools.
Research
With 23 research units associated with research bodies such as the CNRS, INRA and INRIA, UPPA carries out international scientific research into :
Strategic themes- Environment and materials,
- Geo-resources,
- Aquatic environments and resources,
- Justice and territories,
- Areas, borders and blending.
- Transitions
- Aeronautics
- Heritage and tourism
- Eco-construction
Career
The Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour is committed to supporting students throughout the various steps leading them to their professional life, and offers a number of services which are coordinated by the Employability Office (Bureau d'Aide à l'Insertion Professionnelle - BAIP
Once they arrive at the University, new students can consult the specialised books and reviews on guidance, study pathways and degree programmes, jobs and career prospects at the resource centre of the Careers and Employability Service.
If they wish, students can make appointments with our career advisors, in order to create and develop a personal and/or professional plan.
University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2025
ServiceScape Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
9000 EUR
Deadline
Anytime
EDHEC Social Criteria Bursary
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
8200 EUR
Deadline
Anytime
EDHEC High Honours Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 EUR
Deadline
22 Apr 2025
DashTickets Foundation Scholarship Opportunity for Undergraduate Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 EUR
Deadline
Anytime
EDHEC Bourse de l’Espoir
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1200 EUR
Deadline
15 Oct 2025
Haniel Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Jun 2025
Early Bird Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
EDHEC Excellence Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
EDHEC Sport Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
EDHEC Giving - Laurent Freixe Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10252 EUR
Deadline
30 Jun 2025
Merit scholarship from the Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
01 May 2025
Wear & I Fashion Pioneer Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
860 EUR
Deadline
30 Oct 2025
Charpak Exchange
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
29 Jun 2025
Bourses France - Acadie for Canadian students of the Atlantic provinces
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
4500 EUR
Deadline
Anytime
International Mobility Scholarships for EDHEC students
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1100 EUR
Deadline
10 Jun 2025
Livinfrance Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Livinfrance Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Livinfrance Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 EUR
Deadline
10 Jun 2025
Scholarship Program for international students - Livinfrance
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2025
LIFE Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
University Ranking
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2024
1201
2023
1201
2022
1201
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2024
-
2023
-
2022
1358
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Student services
The International Relations Office - is responsible for providing information to UPPA students who wish to travel abroad, and welcoming International students.
Housing services
The Pau and Adour region CLOUS (local university student service centre) provides UPPA students with university housing.
In Pau- 1 university hall of residence
- 7 university residences
- 2 university residences
- 2 university residences
- 2 university residences
- 1 university residence
Library services
Our libraries, spread across our 5 campuses, contain more than 200,000 books and printed reviews, as well as over 23,000 electronic reviews and databases that are accessible remotely.
They are also fitted with work spaces with Wi-Fi, provide computers and tablets available for loan (subject to conditions) and offer courses in document research as well as events such as exhibitions and conferences.
ICT services
Libraries are fitted with work spaces with Wi-Fi, provide computers and tablets available for loan (subject to conditions).
E-Learn - A platform dedicated to online teaching. Teachers upload their lessons and directed studies here and can exchange with students.
IT rooms and Wi-Fi - On all campuses.Medical services
Preventive medicine department and the promotion of health, based in Pau and Bayonne:
- medical visits and vaccination updating for students,
- consultations with a doctor, psychologist or nurse.
- a social service to help improve the living and working conditions of students
- preventive measures and the promotion of health
Campus life
A multi-campus university - 12,107 students across 5 small-scale campuses.
Situated near the border with Spain, the Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA) is a network of five campuses which, thanks in particular to their geographic location, enjoy exceptional advantages.
Anglet - the campus of Montaury
- 1.5 hectares in the middle of a leafy park, a quarter of an hour from beaches on the Basque Coast.
Pau : the city Campus
- 18 hectares of greenery at the foot of the Pyrenees, just one hour from ski stations.
- Gateway to the Pyrenees National Park and the Observatory at the summit of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre.
Mont-de-Marsan
Bayonne
Sports facilities
The sports department : offers over 40 sports and outdoor activities
- Climbing, pelota, hiking, kayaking, yoga, dance, swimming, ski/snowboard, surfing, team sports… Students can enjoy sport for leisure, studies (as part of an initial training course) or competitively. Some professional diplomas (BNSSA for example) can be taken or studied for.
- Sports men and women at high and top regional level can benefit from a “University Sporting Talent” status for the planning and organisation of their studies.
Student clubs
There are around 60 student associations covering - Life within the university, the environment, art, culture, science, international solidarity etc.
Accreditation
We're an engineering state school accredited both by the CTI and the ENAEE (European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education).