At the heart of the Mediterranean Basin, Université Nice Sophia Antipolis has developed a vivid cosmopolitan spirit. A prestigious training and research institution, a broad range of high-quality teaching programs and a privileged study environment has drawn an ever-growing number of scholars and professionals from around the world to the French Riviera.
UNS was officially established by decree dated October 23rd, 1965. However, its historic roots go back to the XVII century, with the famous “Collegium Jurisconsultorum Niciensium” created in 1639 by the Princes of Savoy. It was composed of an important body of jurisconsults (law consultants and lawyers) and its fame lasted until Nice was incorporated into France in 1860. In the XVIIth century, courses, renowned throughout Europe, were taught at its School of Medicine.
In 1933 with the help of local communities and the City of Nice, in particular, UNS created the Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen (currently a conference centre) situated on the Promenade des Anglais whose first administrator was the great French poet Paul Valéry. Following that, the Institut d'Etudes Juridiques (Institute for legal studies) was established In 1938, the Institut d'Etudes Littéraires (Institute for literature studies) in 1941, and the Institut d'Etudes Scientifiques (Institute for scientific studies) in 1945. La Faculté de Droit et des Sciences Economiques (College of Law and Economics) was created by decree on August 2nd, 1962 and was connected to the Université d'Aix-Marseille.