The University of Lille is based in the French town of Lille, located to the north of the country near the border with Belgium. The university was formed by a merger of three universities: Lille University of Science and Technology, Lille 2 University of Health and Law, and Charles de Gaulle University - Lille III. In its new, combined form, the university has become one of the largest in not just France but also the French-speaking world. 67,000 students are currently enrolled, studying degrees across six academic study areas:
As with many western towns and cities, employment in Lille has become more focused on tertiary activities and services over the last 20 years. Graduates from the university will find a thriving jobs market in the fields of commerce and business, but may feel a need to move away after graduation if their desired career is in other areas (i.e. engineering).