Top 5 reasons to study in Finistère
1 Quality teaching
Your university future is guaranteed in Finistère! As Brittany’s second-largest city for students, Brest has a large number of higher-education establishments and a wide choice of courses. With 8 engineering schools and a university spread over 3 hubs, Finistère offers top-level training with promising prospects both in France and across the globe.
2 An outstanding natural environment
Studying in Finistère means taking advantage of an exceptional environment of wild coastlines, beaches, cliffs, islands, forests and varied landscapes. The wide-open spaces mean you can relax, escape and recharge your batteries just 20 minutes from the heart of the city. Perfect for taking a break before going back to hit the books…
3 A unique sporting and cultural life
With 60 water sports centres and 24 surf spots, 144 festivals organised throughout the year and a strong community network of over 18,000 sports and socio-cultural associations, your student life in Finistère has everything to get excited about.
4 A lower cost of living
A median rent of €12/m2 makes it easier to start your student life and future working life in Finistère. For the 2022/2023 edition, L’Etudiant magazine ranked Brest as one of the best student towns in France in terms of training, student life, attractiveness, living environment and employment.
Find temporary accommodation5 A dynamic economic fabric
With an unemployment rate lower than the national average, Finistère has a particularly rich and dynamic economy. Sectors such as water sports, digital technology, defence and tourism offer a wealth of opportunities for work experience and employment straight after graduation. We also have several business incubators that welcome many young entrepreneurs every year.
Key figures
39,714
Number of students in Finistère. Source: Académie de Rennes, 2022-2023 academic year
24
Number of surf spots in Finistère
60
Number of water sports centres in Finistère
144
Number of festivals organised throughout the year
100+
Number of different degree courses, including 49 in digital technology, 31 in banking and insurance, 17 in health and biology
8
Number of engineering schools
3
Number of university centres
700
Number of university lecturer-researchers
Universities and the elite ‘Grandes écoles’
BBS (Brest Business School)
CESI (École d’ingénieurs, Bachelors et Mastères professionnels)
L’Enib (École nationale d’ingénieurs de Brest)
L’Ensta Bretagne (École nationale supérieure de techniques avancées Bretagne)
L’IMT Atlantique (École nationale supérieure Mines-Télécom Atlantique Bretagne Pays de la Loire)
L’Isen Yncréa Brest (Institut supérieur de l’électronique et du numérique de Brest)
L’Eesab (École européenne supérieure d’art de Bretagne)
Bij Brest
Bij Brest, the Youth Information Office, is a free drop-in centre open to all young people. You’ll find all the information you need to get a job, build your career, do business, have fun, take care of yourself, find accommodation, travel, get around and access your rights.
Bij Brest
Bij Brest, Bureau information jeunesse
Festivals
With over 140 festivals and events dotted throughout the year, Finistère’s events calendar is one of the most lively in France. In 1905, the town of Concarneau opened the way with the Festival des Filets Bleus. The oldest festival in Brittany, it was initially a solidarity event created to help local fishermen, who use the now-iconic blue fishing nets.