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Global partnerships and study abroad

Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po)


Overview

At a glance

The Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), established in 1872, is a prestigious institution located in the centre of Paris. It has a student population of 14,000. Sciences Po has been called France’s “leading university in the social sciences”, and consistently ranks highly for politics. In QS World University Rankings 2023, Sciences ranked #3 in the world for Politics.


Established : 1872
Student Population : 13000
History : Sciences Po was created because its founder, Emile Boutmy, wanted to build from scratch an institution of higher education that the elites of the time lacked. One hundred and fifty years later, Sciences Po has become an international research university with 14,000 students. But the foundation of our education remains driven by the same vocation: to better understand the world in order to change it for the better. Sciences Po stands out for combining approaches and confronting different worldviews. This tradition of diversity and multidisciplinary approach makes Sciences Po an active participant in public debate, a forum where thought meets action.

Website and links

Website : Sciences Po Homepage

Study abroad page : Exchange Programme Webpages

Academic information

Who can go

Students on degree programmes in the following subject areas may apply to study abroad during their Junior Honours year at Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po):
  • French
  • International Relations
Semesters Available
  • First Semester
  • Second Semester
  • Full Year
Note: Joint Honours students may only apply for a full year abroad if BOTH subjects are listed above. Joint Honours students applying for one semester must seek permission from both Schools.

Study abroad coordinator

Each School has a designated Study Abroad Coordinator.

Semester dates

Semester dates are as follows

2024/5
Semester 1 Sep 2024 to Dec 2024
Semester 2 Jan 2025 to Jun 2025

Your studies abroad

St Andrews academic requirements
  • Minimum Credit in Academic year : 48
  • Minimum Credit in Semester : 24
  • Maximum Credit in Academic year : 60
  • Maximum Credit in Semester: 30
  • Module Weighting : 3,5,8

Partner Course Catalogue : The course catalogue is available on Sciences Po's webpage.

Classes are mainly in French though sufficient classes are available in English for IR students not studying French.

St Andrews students are not obliged to follow the Exchange Programme track which is in place at some of the Sciences Po campuses. Look here for a guide on how to sign up for modules at Sciences Po.

See our Credits and Modules Abroad webpage for information on the number of credits we expect students to take at our partner institutions. St Andrews expects students to attend all classes as part of their programme abroad. Assessment methods may vary across partners and could include class participation, continuous assessment in the form of homework and final exams. All courses must be agreed with your Study Abroad Coordinator. See our academic information webpage for further details, as well as information about credit and grade conversion.

Application and selection

Application and selection

This is a School Abroad programme.

Places available

Places available : 8 semester places for International Relations, and 8 semester places for French Studies will be available for Science Po in the academic year 2025-26.

Places available may vary from year to year depending on the exchange balance. Numbers for the following academic year will be confirmed at the information meeting.

Living there

Getting there and getting around

Sciences Po provide information on travelling to the campus. Other useful websites may include Moovit.

Accommodation

Sciences Po does not have housing on campus. You should, therefore, be prepared to look for private accommodation. However, Sciences Po do provide advice on finding accommodation.

Please note that St Andrews is unable to guarantee housing at any of our partner institutions. Guidance on finding accommodation abroad is available on the Global Office webpage.

Student services and orientation

The University also has a student services page.

Sciences Po also have a mandatory Welcome Programme for international students.

Please be aware that student support services will be different across all of our partner universities.

Finance and insurance

Living costs

Paris is an expensive city. Detailed advice about the cost of living in Paris is available on Sciences Po's webpage.

Insurance

St Andrews students authorised to study or work abroad as part of their degree programme will be covered by the University’s insurance policy. Please reference to our travel insurance pages for further information.

Passports and visas

Please refer to our passports and visa page for further information.

Student experience

For information on student life at Sciences Po, please visit the institution's webpage. Another useful resource could be the Erasmus Student Network website.

Click here to read about students' experience studying abroad at SciencesPo.

See other profiles and photos of St Andrews students who have studied abroad.