Université Rennes 2 LICENCE sample from France. Rennes 2 University (Université Rennes 2 – Haute Bretagne) is a renowned public university in France specializing in the humanities and social sciences. Founded in 1810 as the Rennes Academy of Arts, it boasts a history of over 200 years. As the largest center for humanities and social sciences education and research in western France, Rennes 2 University enjoys a prestigious reputation in the arts, literature, languages, social sciences, and sports, making it an ideal choice for those seeking advanced studies in these fields.

A Rich Historical Background and Academic Focus: The history of Rennes 2 University can be traced back to the University of Rennes founded in 1461. Following the French education reforms of 1969, the original University of Rennes was split into Rennes 1 University, focusing on science, engineering, and medicine, and Rennes 2 University, specializing in the humanities and social sciences. This historical connection has given Rennes 2 University a clear and unique academic focus—concentrating on the humanities and social sciences, making it the largest institution in these fields in western France.

Academic Programs and Teaching Features
The university currently has approximately 20,000 students and over 600 professors, comprising five teaching and research units (UFR): Arts, Literature and Communication, Languages, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sports. Rennes 2 University’s most renowned features include:

The largest language teaching center in Western France: offering 21 modern language courses, covering a complete training system from undergraduate to postgraduate levels.

A renowned French as a Foreign Language program: the university’s French as a Foreign Language program, which trains French teachers, holds a significant position in France, attracting a large number of domestic and international students.

Strong advantages in Communication Studies and Adult Education: these programs enjoy a high reputation in France, emphasizing teaching quality and innovative teaching methods.

Research Strength and Achievements
Rennes 2 University boasts strong research capabilities, with one doctoral school, three United Research Units (UMR), and 18 research groups. Research areas encompass:

History, Archaeology, Geography and Urban Planning

French and Foreign Literature (English-speaking countries, Romance languages, Brittany and Celtic regions, etc.)

Art Studies (Practical and Poetics)

Psychopathology, Linguistics and Pedagogy

Educational Sciences, Anthropology and Sociology

Sports Activities and Exercise Studies

In academic rankings, Rennes 2 University is ranked 60th in France and 1644th globally (2025 EduRank data), with its sports science, philosophy, and art history disciplines performing particularly well.

Excellent Location and Campus Life
Rennes 2 University’s main campus is located in the Villejean district in northwest Rennes, with its own metro station (Villejean-Université), just a 5-minute drive from the city center, offering excellent transport links. Rennes is the capital of the Brittany region, located 300 kilometers west of Paris, and only a 1.5-hour high-speed train ride away. This city is not only an economic and cultural center but also a renowned university town, home to over 60,000 students, brimming with a strong academic atmosphere and youthful energy.

The university has three campuses:

Villegen Campus: The main campus, accommodating 18,000 students, offering programs in arts, literature, languages, and humanities and social sciences, and is also home to the French language center CIREFE.

La Arp Campus: A 5-10 minute walk from the main campus, specializing in the Science and Technology of Sport and Physical Education (STAPS).

Mazier Campus: Located in Saint-Brieu, shared with Rennes 1 University, offering courses in STAPPS, socioeconomics, history, and more.

Rens 2 University boasts the most extracurricular activity organizations among French universities—over 50 student societies and institutions, including the campus radio station Radio Campus Rennes.

Internationalization and Collaboration Network: Rennes 2 University highly values ​​international development and maintains long-term partnerships with over 100 higher education institutions across five continents. Currently, there are approximately 2,800 international students from 132 different countries. The school has a dedicated International French Language Centre (CIREFE) that provides international students with intensive courses in French language, literature and culture, including semester courses and 3-week summer courses.