Aix-Marseille University (AMU) is a public research university located in the Provence region of southern France. It traces its origins to 1409, when Louis II of Anjou petitioned Antipope Alexander V to establish the University of Provence, making it one of the oldest universities in the Francophone world.

The university came into its current form on 1 January 2012 following the merger of three predecessor institutions: the University of Provence, the University of the Mediterranean, and Paul Cézanne University. This reunification created the largest university in the French-speaking world in terms of student body, faculty, staff, and budget, which currently stands at EUR 750 million.

AMU is organized around five main campuses in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, with 19 faculties and 12 doctoral schools offering approximately 600 courses across all disciplines. The university is home to 122 research structures linked to major national research organizations including CNRS and INSERM, and has produced four Nobel Prize laureates among its alumni and faculty.

AMU encompasses five major disciplinary sectors structured into 19 faculties, schools, and institutes. The university offers over 600 degree programs spanning all academic fields, from humanities and social sciences to medicine, law, and engineering, supported by 113 research units and 12 doctoral schools.

As a French public university, AMU benefits from significant government subsidies, keeping tuition fees remarkably affordable compared to many international destinations. Non-EU students are subject to differentiated tuition fees introduced by the French government in 2018, though AMU offers an institutional exemption policy for eligible students.

AMU is organized around five major campuses spread across Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, with facilities present in nine cities across four departments of southern France. The university owns 90% of its property and provides international-standard facilities for its 80,000 students.

Pharo Campus – University Headquarters

The historic Palais du Pharo in Marseille serves as AMU's administrative headquarters with stunning views over the Old Port

Luminy Campus – Science and Technology Hub

Located near the Calanques National Park, the Luminy campus houses science and technology faculties in a unique natural setting

Aix-en-Provence Campus – Humanities and Law

The charming Aix-en-Provence campus hosts arts, humanities, and law faculties in the heart of this historic Provençal city

With over 80,000 students from more than 130 countries, AMU offers a vibrant and diverse campus life. The university runs orientation and integration programs to help international students acclimate, and provides a wide range of cultural, athletic, and social activities throughout the academic year.

Aix-Marseille University is consistently featured among the top universities globally, recognized for its strong research output across multiple disciplines. The university ranks particularly well in life sciences, physics, infectious diseases, and marine biology.