Université catholique de lyon
Lyon, France • Founded 1875
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1875, the Université Catholique de Lyon (Catholic University of Lyon) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Lyon (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes.
Officially recognized by the Ministère de lEnseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, France (Ministry of Higher Education and Research of France), Université Catholique de Lyon (UCLy) is a medium-sized coeducational French higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Université Catholique de Lyon (UCLy) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 149-year-old French higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
UCLy also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Université catholique de lyon's campus address and the ways prospective students can reach the institution. For visa queries, contact the international student services office directly rather than central admissions.
Academic Details
The figures below cover Université catholique de lyon's academic scale, faculty depth, and recognised standing. Treat the enrolment count as a point-in-time snapshot; trends require multi-year comparison.
Degrees
Licence and Master in Psychology in partnership with Université Lumière Lyon 2. Master MEEF in partnership with University Lyon 1
Bachelor's 3 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Environmental Management
Master's 10 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Canon Law
- Environmental Management
- European Union Law
- Human Rights
- International Law
- Philosophy
- Primary Education
- Psychology
- Teacher Training
- Theology
Doctoral 2 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Philosophy
- Theology
Other 8 programs
- Arts and Humanities
- Educational Sciences
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- Foreign Languages Education
- Law
- Philosophy
- Psychology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministère de lEnseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, France.
Economics and Management (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
- Management
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law, Political and Social Sciences (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Family Studies
- Human Rights
- Law
- Management
- Social Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Letters and Languages (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
- French
- Modern Languages
- Regional Studies
- Translation and Interpretation
Common Career Paths
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Language Teacher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy and Human Sciences (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Teacher Training
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Health Education
- Laboratory Techniques
- Natural Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Judaic Religious Studies
- Pastoral Studies
- Religious Studies
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Family Studies (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Family Studies
- Private Law
Human Rights (IDHL) (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Human Rights
Business School (ESDES) (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Management
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
ESTBB (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biomedical Engineering
- Engineering
Languages and Communication Studies (ESTRI) (School) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
- Chinese
- Communication Studies
- English
- German
- Italian
- Modern Languages
- Spanish
- Translation and Interpretation
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Content Strategist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Quality, Security, Heath and Environment (ESQESE) (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
Programs Offered
Université catholique de lyon's catalogue, with name search and level grouping. Capstone or dissertation requirements vary across programmes — confirm what you'll be assessed on before applying.
42 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in France
Bachelor's Degree 40 programmes
Showing 10 of 40.
Master's Degree 2 programmes
How to apply to Université catholique de lyon
Five steps that capture how most applications to Université catholique de lyon flow, from research through submission to follow-up correspondence.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Université catholique de lyon's catalogue includes 42 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Université catholique de lyon's admissions process.
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3
Get your documents ready
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Submit your completed application through Université catholique de lyon's official website at www.ucly.fr. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
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5
Reach out and track your application
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +33 (0)4 72 32 50 12. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Université catholique de lyon
Quick reference for Université catholique de lyon: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.
When was Université catholique de lyon founded?
Université catholique de lyon was established in 1875 (approximately 151 years ago).
Where can I find Université catholique de lyon?
The institution is located in Lyon, France.
What is Université catholique de lyon's control type?
It is a private higher-education institution.
How many students does Université catholique de lyon have?
The institution has a student body of 7,000-7,999.
What degrees does Université catholique de lyon offer?
Programmes at Université catholique de lyon cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
What is Université catholique de lyon's religious tradition?
Université catholique de lyon is associated with Christian-Catholic.
Is Université catholique de lyon officially recognised?
Yes, Université catholique de lyon is recognised by Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.
How do I find Université catholique de lyon online?
The institution's website is www.ucly.fr.
Top-Ranked Universities in France
Graduate-school placement rates among France's top universities set the upper bound for that signal. Université catholique de lyon's placement rate relative to leaders is one signal of academic preparation depth.
Members of International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)
Network-level rankings exist for some International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) groupings (e.g., U21, Universitas 21). These differ from country rankings and reflect coordinated members' shared performance.
Other French Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Religious-text study options and theology programmes appear consistently at Christian-Catholic universities. Université catholique de lyon and the peers below often share similar degree offerings in religious studies.
Faculties at nearby universities
If Université catholique de lyon's location appeals to you, these nearby universities offer comparable environments and academic breadth. Local clusters tend to share cultural, linguistic, and employment context, which can matter as much as institutional choice itself.
Where Else to Study Law
Programme-led research opportunities for Law students differ. Research-active programmes give undergraduates access to active labs; teaching-only programmes do not.
Universities Compared with Université catholique de lyon
When students choose Université catholique de lyon, they typically weigh it against institutions of similar standing. These universities sit at a comparable level — useful comparisons before committing to a final choice, especially when programme content is similar across the options.
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