Sciences Po (several campuses)

Sciences Po is an exchange destination for University College Utrecht students with several campuses in France. The most extensive offer can be found in Paris and Reims. Based on your academic interest the other campusses might be very interessing. 

Please note: Sciences Po has an entry requirement of 120ECTS for incoming exchange students. This means that as a UCU student you can only go to Sciences Po in your 5th semester or higher, because you are only able to take Advanced Level courses.

Webpages
Number of places available

2 spots for Paris and 2 spots for other campuses per academic year, like Reims.

Sciences Po has in total seven campuses, in: Dijon, Le Havre, Menton, Nancy, Paris, Poitiers and Reims. You can list your preference when you sign up for Sciences-Po, but you might not be placed at your first choice.

Academic calendar

Fall Semester: Early September - Late December (including exams)
Spring Semester: Late January - Late May (including exams)

Language of instruction

This destination has a language of instruction other than English. This means that you need to have at least a language proficiency level of CEFR B2 French. You need to complete French Language and Culture II (UCHUMFRE21) or get an exemption from the UCU Language & Culture coordinator, and it is your own responsibility to achieve at least B2 French. This language requirement is partly for your own protection, so you can take courses at the same level as you do at UCU, and partly because we believe it allows you to have an experience abroad that is more immersive, enriching and culturally valuable to you.

At Sciences Po there are English courses available, but the possibility of oversubscription means you might have to take courses in French.

Application deadlines

Fall Semester: Mid-April, Spring Semester: Mid- October

Course offerings

The focus at Sciences Po is, obviously, on politics and related subjects: Journalism, International Relations, History, Sociology and Economics. However, every location has its own curriculum and its own specializations. (E.g. Le Havre specializes in Asia, Poitiers in Latin-America.)

It may also be interesting to know that each semester, Sciences Po’s campus in Reims, in the heart of the Champagne region, welcomes exchange students who wish to enhance their international studies. This certificate-awarding exchange has been specifically designed for students to thrive in the growing community of media and international scholars in France. The certificate studies offered are: Journalism, European Affairs, International Affairs and Business & Economics.

An overview of the courses available to exchange students can be found here (Paris campus only, others available on request). 

Course levels

There are two kinds of courses: lecture courses and electives, and both can be either in French or in English. There seems to be no differentiation in all undergraduate courses: no entrance requirements are listed, so it seems that at least all exchange courses are open to every student. Be prepared to have many alternative courses available. 

Credit system

Sciences Po works with ECTS. You’ll have to take 30 ECTS per semester. The number of credits per course can differ, so the number of courses you’ll have to take can vary. More information about the amount of credits per course can be found here.

Grade system

Grades in France are given on a scale from 1-20, 20 being the highest grade. This converts to UC-grades according to the following table:

A+ 16.5-20
A 16
A- 15
B+ 14
B 13
B- 12.5
C+ 12
C 11
C- 10
D+ 9
D 8
D- 7.5
F 1-7

 

Housing

None of the locations has a residential campus, but they will be happy to help you in finding a room. In Paris, this will be quite difficult (and expensive); in the other cities, it might be easier. Click here for more information. 

Costs

An overview of estimated monthly expenses can be found here. As you’ll discover, Paris is by far the most expensive destination (about €1000 per month), whereas Le Havre and Dijon are relatively cheap with €500 of monthly costs.

Orientation

Differs per university, but generally, there is an Orientation program. For the Paris destination, it is mainly focused on the French methodology system, such as how to write essays in the French style (which is fairly different from UCU style). However, social activities (tours and bar visits) are also included. Note that the Paris program will cost an additional 250 Euros. It is also possible to participate in the buddy program.

Situation

Find out more about the different cities Sciences Po’s campuses are located in here. Note that none of them have a UCU-style residential campus. 

Student life

Facilities and associations differ per campus. There are over 200 associations divided over the different campuses, which mainly focus on academic and cultural activities. You can find a list of all associations per campus here

The Paris campus offers dozens of sports courses students can register in. 

Sciences Po has a Student Welfare and Support Office which supports students with administrative and financial issues. It also has Health Centers which provide medical and psychological support. 

Student experiences

So far, we only have stories of students who went to Sciences Po Paris. Their experiences are very positive. The academic quality is very high and the university has ‘an amazing network which allows them to invite individuals from the top of the public and private spheres’. Make sure that your French is good enough before you leave. The (only) downside of an exchange to Paris: the costs. You can request ‘CAF’, a housing allowance, which will help you a bit in covering the costs. In this respect, it can also be useful to bring a bike. It saves you the money of numerous metro rides and late-night taxis.

In your free time, you will of course never be bored in this metropolis – all museums are free for students, there are ‘thousands of bars’ and daily events. 

More information

For information about the requirements for studying abroad, the application procedure and more, go to UCU's Study abroad page. 

You can browse through all UCU exchange destinations and UU exchange destinations in the exchange catalog.