Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Roanne is a welcoming medium-sized city that offers an excellent quality of life for students. Combining a human-scale environment with a strong higher education ecosystem, the city provides an ideal setting for academic success and personal development.

Roanne welcome nearly 3,000 students enrolled in 18 higher education institutions, including two engineering schools. The city offers around 50 diverse and specialised programmes across a wide range of disciplines, meeting the needs of both students and local industries. Its higher education landscape is organised around two campuses, fostering close collaboration between institutions and creating a dynamic learning environment.

Roanne also has an international outlook, welcoming nearly 400 international students each year. The city and its higher education institutions are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment that helps international students integrate into campus and local life. Besides, Roanne organises since 2023 the Night of International Students (« Nuit des Étudiants du Monde »), an event celebrating cultural diversity while promoting exchanges between international students and contributing to a more inclusive and welcoming student community.