Studying at Sciences Po

Ernest, an undergraduate in the Euro-Asian Program at Sciences Po, shares all you need to know about the leading French university of social sciences.

By Ernest Tan, Project Access Mentor and Sciences Po Campus Officer

SciencesPo Paris

“What kind of science do you study?” asked a curious ski instructor in the frigid mountains of Brasov, Romania. He had noticed the school hoodie I was wearing. There was a brief and awkward silence before I sheepishly replied, “political science”. Even as a first-year undergraduate at the Euro-Asian Programme, Institut d’études politiques de Paris (more commonly known as Sciences Po Paris), such a question was not exactly new to me, but it was one that I did not expect to be asked on a ski slope in my mountain gear.

Sciences Po as an institution specialising in the social sciences, admittedly, is not exactly common knowledge to an international audience. It does not have a science faculty, engineering faculty, or medicine faculty. Some also attribute it to the fact that French grande écoles are smaller and produce fewer alumni - Sciences Po is actually one of the larger ones with 15000 students (both undergraduate and graduate). For comparison’s sake, some universities have enrolments double or even triple that. But in France, recognition of the Sciences Po brand is palpable. When I first arrived in France and was travelling on the regional rail, a kind stranger made casual conversation with me. When I answered her innocuous question on where I was studying at, she immediately congratulated me on getting into the school, telling me about the school’s notable political alumni.

Indeed, 6 out of 8 Presidents of the current French Fifth Republic are its alumni. That includes both the incumbent French President, Emmanuel Macron and the Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal. Alumni can be found in and at the head of international organisations, ministries, embassies, and even at private companies - Sciences Po’s surveys indicate that 65% of the Class of 2020 are employed in the private sector. Academically, in the various elds of the social sciences, it is known as one of the highest ranking institutions worldwide. According to the QS 2023 Subject Rankings, it is ranked third internationally for the subject which is in its namesake - politics and international relations. That puts it just behind Harvard and Oxford, and above institutions such as the LSE and Cambridge. While rankings have been criticised for their methodology, Sciences Po’s status as a “grande école” and the most prestigious Institute of Political Studies (“IEP”) in France has made it one of the top choices amongst students in France.

Internationally, it is also popular amongst students - around 50% of students are international. At campuses such as Le Havre, more than 65% of students come from outside France. This is because no French knowledge is required if one joins the Anglophone programmes at Le Havre (Europe-Asia Programme), Menton (Middle East and Mediterranean Programme), and Reims (Europe-America Programme). There are intensive French courses to improve one’s proficiency upon matriculation.

Altogether, there are seven campuses of Sciences Po across France - each focusing on each area of the globe (regional specialisations).

Le Havre Campus

1. Europe-Asia Programme (English-taught)

Menton Campus

2. Middle East and Mediterranean Programme (English-taught)

Reims Campus

3. Europe-North American Programme (English-taught)

4. Europe-Africa Programme (French-taught in the first year, with courses in the second year in both English and French)

Nancy Campus

5. European Union (Franco-German Partnership) Programme (Mainly French taught, with some courses in English and German)

Dijon Campus

6. European Union (Central and Eastern Europe) Programme (Mainly French taught, with some courses in English)

Poitiers Campus

7. Latin American and the Caribbean Programme (French taught with some courses in English, Spanish, and Portuguese)

Paris Campus

8. General Programme (French taught with choice of some courses in English)

It also offers a slate of dual undergraduate degrees - partners include Columbia University (USA), UC Berkeley (USA), UCL (UK), University of Sydney (Australia), NUS (Singapore), and HKU (Hong Kong). In addition, graduates of the Undergraduate College are also oered guaranteed admission to select masters programmes at the Paris Campus of Sciences Po bar some exceptions.

With its reputation as a leading and internationally connected social sciences institution, you may be interested in Sciences Po. Here at Project Access, we have a team of current students at Sciences Po offering one-to-one mentoring for admissions. Do not hesitate to sign up with us!

Stay tuned for our next article on the academic structure of the Undergraduate College.