Institution Overview
Sciences Po is an interdisciplinary social sciences university with campuses across France. The university brings together students from around the world and offers a globally focused undergraduate experience supported by an extensive international partnership network.
Reputation & Positioning
Global Standing
Sciences Po is an international research university that ranks among the world's leading institutions in the humanities and social sciences. According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, it ranks 4th globally for Politics, while remaining 1st in France and 1st in the European Union in the discipline.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Sciences Po combines academic research with professional practice through a teaching model that brings together researchers and practitioners. The university's educational approach aims to prepare future leaders for careers across the public and private sectors by connecting classroom learning with real-world experience.
International Outlook
International engagement is a defining feature of Sciences Po. The university describes itself as a globally oriented institution with internationally recognised degrees, a multicultural community, and an extensive worldwide network of academic partners that supports international learning and collaboration.
Academics & Learning Experience
The Sciences Po Undergraduate College offers an academically rigorous and internationally oriented undergraduate experience. Through interdisciplinary study, structured degree pathways, experiential learning, and opportunities for global mobility, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand complex social, political, and economic challenges.
Academic Focus Areas
Academic Structure
Sciences Po offers a three-year Bachelor of Arts in the Social Sciences and Humanities.
- Year 1: Common interdisciplinary foundation, with all students studying History, Law, Economics, Sociology, and Political Science
- Year 2: Students choose two majors, one from Block 1 (Economics, Political Science - Comparative Politics, Political Science - Political Theory) and one from Block 2 (Law, History, Sociology)
- Year 3: Compulsory international mobility at a partner university
- Politics and Government are among the university's most popular academic pathways
- Dual bachelor's degrees are available with partner universities including Columbia University, UC Berkeley, UCL, NUS, and the University of Sydney, as well as French institutions such as ESCP Business School, Sciences Po's Sorbonne partners, and Universite Paris Cite
- Large lectures with professors
- Discussion-based smaller group sessions
- Development of critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and discussion and interpretation skills
- Students learn from a combination of academic researchers and approximately 4,000 practitioners, providing direct exposure to professionals working in politics, diplomacy, consulting, international organizations, business, and public policy
The bachelor's programme is intentionally rigorous because students study multiple social science disciplines simultaneously.
- Continuous assessment: two-thirds of overall grading
- Final examination: one-third of overall grading
- Students with different mathematics backgrounds are supported through Quantitative Methods A and B, reaching a common standard by the end of the first semester
- Research is embedded throughout the undergraduate curriculum through research-informed teaching
- Each undergraduate campus combines the common curriculum with a geographical minor focused on a specific world region
- Civic Learning Programme includes a 140-hour civic internship, a civic engagement project, and a Capstone Project during the first two years
- Students have the option to complete a semester-long internship during their year abroad
Admissions & Financial Considerations
Sciences Po follows a rolling, holistic admissions process that evaluates applicants on their academic performance, intellectual potential, personal motivation, and overall fit with the undergraduate programme. Applications are reviewed through multiple stages, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of each candidate.
How Applications Are Evaluated
The application is assessed through three complementary evaluations totalling 50 points, and shortlisted applicants complete an online interview worth a further 50 points.
Application Evaluation
- Secondary School Examination Results: final examination results, predicted grades where applicable, mid-term results, and school transcripts, with no specific subject prerequisites
- Academic Performance & Progress: performance over the final three years of secondary school, consistency, class ranking where available, perseverance, and extracurricular activities
- Academic Project & Motivation: written responses on motivations, academic interests, and suitability for Sciences Po, plus a non-graded campus preference question
Interview Structure
- Format: online, approximately 25 to 30 minutes, worth 50 points
- Candidate Introduction: a brief self-introduction covering background, interests, achievements, and motivations
- Image Analysis & Discussion: applicants select one of two images and present an analytical commentary
- Motivation & Academic Project: a discussion exploring academic interests, study plans, and programme fit
Application Timeline
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | October |
| Applications Close | March |
| Interviews | January to April |
| Admission Decisions | February to May |
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Financial Support
- Approximately 36% of students receive scholarships or financial aid
- Scholarship decisions are made after admission and do not influence admissions decisions
Key Scholarships
- Emile Boutmy Scholarship: awarded to first-time applicants from outside the European Union who demonstrate academic excellence and meet eligibility requirements
- Charpak Scholarship: offered by the French Embassy in India to support Indian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in France
Campus Culture & Career Ecosystem
Sciences Po offers a multi-campus undergraduate experience, with each campus specializing in a different world region while following the same core curriculum in the social sciences. After completing their bachelor's degree, students may continue their master's studies at the Paris Campus.
Paris Campus
Paris, France
The Paris Campus serves as the university's main campus and is home to all master's and PhD programmes, while also hosting undergraduate students. Located within a UNESCO World Heritage setting, the campus combines historic architecture with modern academic facilities. Originally a monastery and later an artillery site during the French Revolution, it now spans approximately 20 buildings, featuring multiple libraries connected by an innovative electric vehicle book transfer system.
Regional Campuses
| Campus | Regional Focus / Distinctive Features |
|---|---|
| Dijon | Central and Eastern Europe, offering regional perspectives through its academic and cultural environment |
| Le Havre | Asia-Pacific region, bringing together European students interested in Asia and Asian students interested in Europe |
| Menton | Middle East and the Mediterranean, with an emphasis on political, social, and cultural dynamics |
| Nancy | Franco-German and European affairs, well suited for students interested in European integration and governance |
| Poitiers | Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, incorporating regional perspectives into the curriculum |
| Reims | North America and Africa, providing insights into two distinct global regions |
A Multi-Campus Model
Sciences Po's undergraduate model combines seven campuses across France, each with a distinct regional focus, allowing students to study global issues from different geographical perspectives. Students also benefit from access to local institutions, organisations, and cultural environments before spending their third year abroad at one of the university's international partner institutions.
Campus Culture & Student Life
Student Associations
With nearly 300 student associations and initiatives, students can participate in a wide range of activities including politics, culture, sports, entrepreneurship, media, humanitarian projects, and the arts. Student organizations help students develop practical skills such as leadership, teamwork, and project management.
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Career Outcomes
Career Services & Internships
Career support begins during the undergraduate programme through Sciences Po Careers, offering individual career advising, internship support, CV and interview preparation, career workshops, networking opportunities, employer events, and recruitment forums. Career support continues until two years after graduation.
Internships & Employer Connections
Undergraduate students complete compulsory civic internships, with additional optional internships available, including the possibility of an international internship during the third year abroad. Sciences Po maintains strong connections with employers across consulting, law, international organisations, public affairs, security and defence, NGOs, and the private sector.
Is Sciences Po the Right Fit?
Sciences Po rewards students who enjoy studying across disciplines, welcome continuous assessment, and want a compulsory international experience built into their degree. It may be less well suited to students who prefer to specialize immediately or study outside the social sciences.
Students Who Tend to Thrive
- Enjoy studying multiple social science disciplines together
- Are comfortable with an academically rigorous curriculum
- Prefer continuous assessment over relying primarily on final examinations
- Want an international undergraduate experience that includes a compulsory year abroad
- Value learning through discussion, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary study
Students Who May Find It Less Suitable
- Prefer to specialize in a single subject from the beginning of their undergraduate degree
- Are looking for academic pathways outside the social sciences
- Prefer assessment to rely primarily on final examinations
- Are not interested in studying abroad, since the third year abroad is compulsory
- Prefer a lighter academic workload
What Students Should Be Prepared For
Sciences Po vs. US Universities
| Aspect | Sciences Po | Typical US University |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Length | Three-year bachelor's degree | Four-year bachelor's degree |
| Curriculum Structure | Common interdisciplinary social sciences curriculum in Year 1, followed by a concentration in Year 2 | Greater flexibility with general education requirements and major exploration during the first two years |
| Academic Focus | Dedicated to the humanities and social sciences | Broad range of disciplines including STEM, business, arts, and social sciences |
| Study Abroad | Mandatory international year in Year 3 | Study abroad is typically optional |
| Assessment | Greater emphasis on continuous assessment throughout the semester | Assessment methods vary and often combine assignments, midterms, and final examinations |
Sciences Po vs. UK Universities
| Aspect | Sciences Po | Typical UK University |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Structure | Broad interdisciplinary foundation before choosing a concentration | Students usually specialize in a single subject from the start |
| Degree Length | Three-year bachelor's degree | Three-year bachelor's degree |
| Academic Approach | Combines multiple social science disciplines throughout the programme | Greater emphasis on subject-specific depth from the first year |
| International Experience | Mandatory third year abroad for all undergraduate students | International exchanges are generally optional |
| Campus Model | Seven undergraduate campuses, each with a regional focus | Most universities operate from a single primary campus |