Université de Poitiers

The Université de Poitiers (University of Poitiers) is a university in the city of Poitiers, France. It was founded in 1431 by Pope Eugene IV, a foundation later confirmed by letters patent of King Charles VII, and originally had five colleges: theology, canon law, civil law, medicine and arts. In the 16th century it had 4,000 students, among them François Rabelais, René Descartes and Francis Bacon. After the French Revolution abolished the provincial universities, it was refounded in the 19th century with new colleges of literature and science.

Today the university serves more than 26,000 students and employs more than 3,000 people. It describes its campuses as "human-sized" and offers degrees across a wide range of subjects, with an emphasis on international development and on practical services for students. Enrolment matters are handled by each faculty's admissions office (service de scolarité).