To welcome our students and staff in a fulfilling environment, to prepare enlightened citizens for the challenges of tomorrow, to advance science and to help open up new horizons… that is our ambition!

Choosing the University of Caen Normandie – UNICAEN means benefiting from a high-quality, rich and innovative work and study environment, and being provided with services that suit your needs, with access to sports facilities, cultural events and associative diversity.

UNICAEN is a major player of and a driving force for the development of higher education and research in Normandy. It welcomes more than 32,000 students on several campuses in the Caen conurbation and in the cities of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Alençon, Lisieux, Saint-Lô and Vire.
At UNICAEN, you can treat yourself to all of the Normandy region’s perks, such as the coastline, its proximity to the United Kingdom, fast and easy access to Paris and cultural attractions and sporting activities.

The region also has a strong cultural tradition that is illustrated both by major international events (celebrations of the Normandy Landing of the Second World War, international equestrian competitions, the Grande Armada, etc.) and by the diversity of its heritage (Mont Saint Michel – 8th Wonder of the World, the Château de Caen, the Memorial for Peace, impressionist painting, etc.)

A historical monument

Founded in 1432 by the King of England Henry VI, the University of Caen was destroyed in 1944 during the Battle of Normandy. It was one of the first buildings to be rebuilt during the city’s reconstruction after World War II.
The reconstruction of the University started in 1948 under the authority of President Pierre Daure and the new campus was inaugurated in 1957 in the presence of the Minister of Education and other personalities from all over the world. The President called on the services of architect Henry Bernard to build the new campus in the style of modern Anglo-Saxon campuses.

After the war, the University rose like a Phoenix from its ashes.

Redesigned with such a futuristic vision, the University became one of the most modern universities in Europe. In 2012, some of its buildings were classified as historical monuments.

Regional commitment

A strong and strategic territorial anchoring

• UNICAEN, epicentre of the regional plan for higher education and research
• Exchange and cooperation with local socio-economic stakeholders

6 campuses in Caen and 5 campuses in the region (Cherbourg, Saint-Lô, Lisieux, Vire, Alençon).

Scientific excellence

• Cooperation with ENSICAEN (National School of Engineering), CYCERON (biomedical imaging platform), GANIL (National Large Heavy Ion Accelerator), CHU (University Hospital), CLCC François Baclesse (Regional Cancer Care Center)
• A strengthened partnership with the University Hospital (CHU)
• A modern unit for health research and academic training
• Local entities involved in academic training, research and culture. The evolution of staff capacity and the development of research units led to the construction of other campuses in Caen and of 6 remote sites across the region.

Normandie Université

Normandie Université, the Normandy community of higher education institutions, brings together the universities of Caen, Le Havre and Rouen, ENSA Rouen Normandie (National Higher School of Architecture), ENSICAEN and INSA Rouen Normandie (National Schools of engineering) around a common goal of offering the highest level of excellence in research and academic training.