Institute of Political Science (Sciences Po), Paris (IEP)
Institute of Political Science (Sciences Po), Paris (IEP)
Since its inception in 1872 the Institute of Political Science, Institut d'Etudes Politiques (IEP) de Paris, more commonly known as Sciences Po, has become one of the most prestigious institutions in France and has traditionally educated France's political and diplomatic elite. It is generally thought to be one of the world's most reputable schools of the social sciences.
Academic Highlights
The Paris campus of Sciences Po is France’s specialist institution in social and political sciences. It has a focus on internationality and global studies. In the late 1990s, Sciences Po began requiring all its undergraduate students to spend a year abroad, and introduced a multilingual curriculum in French, English, and other languages. Sciences Po also began to expand outside Paris, establishing regional campuses throughout France. These focus on different parts of the globe:
- Central and Eastern Europe on the Dijon campus
- Asia on the Le Havre campus
- Middle-East and Mediterranean on the Menton campus
- Europe & Franco-German Region on the Nancy campus
- Latin America on the Poitiers campus
- North America or Africa on the Reims campus
Location
The Paris campus is found in the storied Saint-Germaine district, a short walk from Notre Dame Cathedral. The first of the regional campuses was set up in Nancy in Lorraine in 2000, followed by the Dijon campus in Burgundy in 2001. The Menton campus on the French Riviera was created in 2005 and, located on the coast of Normandy, Le Havre has hosted a campus since 2007. Opened in 2010, the Hôtel Chaboureau, a renovated building dating from the 15th century, became the campus located in the heart of the historic city of Poitiers. The Reims campus also opened in 2010 on an architectural site dating from the1600s. Reims is the unofficial capital of the Champagne region and just 45 minutes from Paris by train.
Did you know?
Sciences Po alumni include fashion designer Christian Dior and current President Emmanuel Macron. It has educated seven of the past eight French presidents.
Language of Instruction | English (limited in some areas), French | |||||
Program Duration | 1 semester, 2 semesters | |||||
Academic Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate | |||||
Minimum Result Required | 3.0 GPA | |||||
| Previous round cut-off (WAM (%) or GPA) | 3.0 GPA | |||||
Anticipated Places in Semester 2, 2027 | 9-10 places | |||||
Red | ||||||
Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia, Monash Malaysia | |||||
Agreement Scope | All Faculties | |||||
Handbook/Catalogue
Sciences Po's Paris campus course catalogue
Sciences Po's Reims campus course catalogue
You must study all your units at one campus.
As all undergraduate students at Sciences Po must spend the year abroad in their third year, there are no third-year level units. To study at Sciences Po on exchange, you must be able to credit at least 18 points of first, second or, if eligible, fourth-year plus units. To be eligible to take fourth-year plus units, you must have completed 144 credit points by the beginning of your exchange.
Note that once you complete your enrolment at Sciences Po and begin studying there, you cannot add or drop classes.
Language requirements
Information on the Sciences Po's language requirements can be found here.
Full-time Credit Load Equivalents
Semester | |
|---|---|
Min. 18 Monash points | Max. 24 Monash points |
22.5 ECTS* | 30 ECTS |
ECTS - European Credit Transfer System
*If your study load cannot exactly equate to 22.5 ECTS, then you will need to complete a study load as close to 22.5 ECTS without going under in order to receive 18 Monash credit points.
Year | |
|---|---|
Min. 36 Monash points | Max. 48 Monash points |
45 ECTS | 60 ECTS |
Academic Calendar
Sciences Po 'Autumn' Semester (Monash semester 2): late August to late December
Sciences Po 'Spring' Semester (Monash semester 1): late January to May
Sciences Po's University Calendar
Chinese languages & culture studies | Economics | English as an international language | French languages & culture studies |
German languages & culture studies | History | Human geography | Italian languages & culture studies |
Japanese languages & culture studies | Law | Literary studies | Management |
Marketing | Philosophy | Politics and international relations | Spanish and Latin American languages & culture studies |
Sociology | Theatre and performance |
Note
- The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
- Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.
Accommodation
Neither campus offers accommodation but Sciences Po can offer you services to help find a room in a student hall of residence, shared accommodation or homestay.
Sciences Po offers advice on accommodation here.
Visas
As a general rule, all students planning to study in France for more than three months must apply for a long-stay visa before departure from Australia and apply for a residence permit after they arrive.
Refer to the official France-Visas website for the most up-to-date information on how to apply for a student visa. Any changes to the visa application process will be made public on the Consulate General of France in Sydney website.
For additional information on visas, you can refer to the Consulate-General of France in Sydney.
Sciences Po also provides some advice on visas.
Health and insurance
Medical coverage is legally required in France. All students need to subscribe to the French Social Security, at a cost of approximately €215. It is required to cover the entirety of your stay; you can purchase it upon arrival in France. Students will require an official birth certificate with a French translation to proceed with their health insurance.
Sciences Po also offers some advice on available health services.
When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.
Orientation and extra-curricular
The Paris orientation program is an optional, week-long orientation which requires payment. The program is worth 2 ECTS for those completing the welcome program - though your Monash faculty/ies will advise if it can be approved for credit towards your Monash degree.
The Reims orientation program is a mandatory, week-long orientation, which is free. The program is worth 5 ECTS for those completing the welcome program - though your Monash faculty/ies will advise if it can be approved for credit towards your Monash degree.
SciencesPo also run a French Language course during their July Summer School programme. For more information on the program and the cost (as it is not included in the exchange agreement), you can visit the Summer School program webpage.
Cost of living
Sciences Po provides some advice on cost of living.
Funding
Walter Mangold Trust Fund Scholarship
Students taking French language courses may be eligible for the Walter Mangold Study Abroad Scholarship.
Nicolas Baudin Scholarship
The Nicolas Baudin scholarship is designed to encourage students to undertake study, research or professional development in France. It consists of a return flight ticket between Australia and France and social insurance for up to six months. Find out more here.
For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.
Important notes
As all undergraduate students at Sciences Po must study abroad in their third year, there are no third-year level units available at Sciences Po. To study at Sciences Po on exchange, you must be able to credit at least 18 points of first, second or, if eligible, fourth-year plus units.
You will be able to enter your preferred campus at Sciences Po in your application. If you don't indicate one of the regional campuses in that questionnaire it will be assumed you mean the main campus in Paris.
Please note that students applying for a student visa for France will need to travel to Sydney for an in-person appointment.
To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.
Have you been to the Institute of Political Science (Sciences Po), Paris and want to share your experience? If you'd be willing to write a testimonial, email us at monashabroad.enquiries@monash.edu.
Heba Abdalla
Bachelor of Arts/Science
Semester 2, 2016
Studied: Arts units
Study Experience
I was able to study some cool units in French and English, including War in the 20th Century and The Politics of Climate Change.
Culture
Super international, met people from around the world and became friends with them.
Benefits of going on exchange
Exchange improved my French but also my general essay writing skills, public speaking and communication skills.
Career Benefits
I think it improved my employability and taught me new skills. It shows I’m independent and courageous, and that I’m good at understanding cultural differences and communicating despite language barriers.
Money and Budgeting
Find the university's online forum to get tips on cheap rent/food etc. Attend orientation events to get these tips too. Look up 'free things to do in this city' to find things to do when you're low on money. Always carry your student ID on you to get discounts.
Top tips
- Never throw out plastic bags, they come in handy in separating storage, rubbish, cleaning and most European supermarkets charge for them so bring your own!
- Do things you wouldn't normally do at home!