Sciences Po Paris – The Complete Guide 2026 for International Students

You’re sitting in Les Deux Magots café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, three blocks from the main campus on rue Saint-Guillaume. Outside, rain paints Paris in shades of grey, and you’ve just finished reading an Amnesty International report for your human rights seminar. At the next table, two students from Senegal and Korea are debating EU climate policy in English, and the waiter brings you an espresso for 3.80 EUR. This isn’t a scene from a movie – this is an ordinary Tuesday at Sciences Po Paris, an institution that has been educating those who shape the destiny of Europe and the world since 1872.

Sciences Po – officially the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris – is where seven French presidents have studied, including Emmanuel Macron and Jacques Chirac, along with thirteen prime ministers, dozens of European Union commissioners, and heads of UN agencies. In the QS World University Rankings 2025 for Politics and International Studies, the university ranks 2nd globally – just behind Harvard, and ahead of Oxford, Cambridge, and LSE. This isn’t just another good European university – it’s an absolute global leader in political and social sciences, boasting a network of over 80,000 alumni spread across 150 countries.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know as an international student: from the specifics of admissions and the seven-campus system, through income-dependent tuition fees, to scholarships, student life, and a realistic comparison with LSE and Sorbonne/PSL. If you dream of a career in diplomacy, the European Commission, think tanks, or at the intersection of politics and business – read on.

Rankings and Reputation – Why Sciences Po is Exceptional

Sciences Po is not an ordinary university – in the context of the French education system, it functions as a grande école, an elite institution with a higher status than traditional public universities. While Sorbonne/PSL and other Parisian universities admit tens of thousands of students annually, Sciences Po conducts selection at a level comparable to top British and American universities.

In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Sciences Po ranks 2nd globally in Politics and International Studies – behind Harvard, but ahead of Oxford, Cambridge, and LSE. In the broader category of Social Sciences and Management, the university consistently ranks in the top twenty worldwide. The THE (Times Higher Education) ranking consistently places Sciences Po in the top 10 for social sciences, and in the European context, the university is second only to Oxford and Cambridge in terms of prestige in political sciences.

What truly sets Sciences Po apart from its competitors is its alumni network and its real-world impact. The Sciences Po Alumni list includes over 80,000 individuals in 150 countries: seven presidents of the French Fifth Republic (Emmanuel Macron, François Hollande, Jacques Chirac, François Mitterrand), thirteen French prime ministers, dozens of European Union commissioners, directors of the OECD, UNESCO, WTO, and UN agencies, as well as CEOs of global corporations – LVMH, BNP Paribas, TotalEnergies. For an international student, this means something tangible: the network of contacts you gain access to, even as a student, is one of the most powerful in continental Europe – especially in the public sector, diplomacy, and European politics. Compare this with KU Leuven or University of Amsterdam, which have strong academic standing but do not match Sciences Po in terms of alumni political influence.

Step-by-Step Admissions – How to Apply from Abroad

Sciences Po operates its own online admissions system – the university does not use the Parcoursup platform for international candidates, which means that as an international student, you apply directly through the Sciences Po portal. This is a significant simplification compared to the British UCAS system – one application, one university, zero intermediaries.

Admissions are holistic: there is no single entrance exam or rigid score thresholds. Sciences Po evaluates the entire candidate profile – from academic results to extracurricular involvement and the quality of essays. This approach is closer to American Ivy League universities than to European systems based solely on grades.

Your application consists of five elements. Academic transcripts – results from the last 2–3 years of secondary education (grades 10–12 or equivalent), certified translation into English or French. Sciences Po looks at the grade trend – an increasing average is viewed positively. Recommended average: a strong academic record, typically an average of 4.5 out of 5.0 (or equivalent), although there is no official threshold. Three essays (max. 1000 words each): a personal statement explaining why Sciences Po and your chosen campus; a description of extracurricular involvement – volunteering, debates, projects, sports, olympiads; an analysis of a chosen global issue – climate, AI, migration, political polarization. Essays are absolutely crucial – they differentiate candidates with similar grades. Two letters of recommendation from humanities or social science teachers (history, civics, English) in English or French. Language certificate – for English-language programs (Reims, Le Havre): TOEFL iBT min. 90 (recommended 100+), IELTS Academic min. 6.5 (recommended 7.0+), Cambridge C1 Advanced min. 176, or Duolingo English Test min. 115. You can read more about choosing a certificate in our TOEFL vs IELTS comparison, and for test practice, we recommend prepclass.io. The final element is an academic CV – maximum 2 pages, in English or French.

Important note: Sciences Po does not require the SAT or ACT. However, if you have a high score (e.g., SAT 1450+), you may include it as an additional element of your profile. If you are preparing for the SAT for other reasons – for example, you are also applying to universities that require this exam – practice on okiro.io. You can find more about what SAT score is needed for studies in Europe in a separate article.

Approximately 20–30% of the top candidates are invited for an interview in April–May. It lasts 20–30 minutes and can take place online. The panel (2–3 people) asks about motivation, current political events, career plans, and critical thinking ability. My advice: prepare by reading The Economist, Foreign Affairs, and Politico Europe for at least three months before the interview. Also, check how Polish Matura exam results are converted for foreign systems.

The Seven-Campus System – Choose Your Specialization

A unique feature of Sciences Po is its multi-campus model, which has no equivalent at any other university in Europe. You don’t spend the first two years of your undergraduate studies (Collège Universitaire) in Paris – instead, you choose one of seven campuses, each with a thematic and geographical specialization. The third year is a mandatory year abroad at one of over 470 partner universities in 70 countries. Only after this do you return to Paris for a two-year Master’s program. This model – 2 years at a regional campus + 1 year abroad + 2 years in Paris – creates an educational experience that is difficult to replicate anywhere else.

For international students without French language skills, the two most important campuses are Reims and Le Havre, which offer programs taught 100% in English. Reims is Sciences Po’s most international campus – with 85% of students coming from outside France – and focuses on transatlantic relations (Europe–North America) and Africa. Le Havre concentrates on the Asia–Pacific region (China, Japan, Korea) and offers Asian language learning in an intimate atmosphere (approx. 400 students). Both campuses only require TOEFL 90+ or IELTS 6.5+, and as part of the program, you have mandatory French courses starting from A1 level – after two years, most students reach B1–B2.

The Dijon campus is particularly interesting for students interested in Central and Eastern Europe – it specializes in the region, with courses dedicated to Poland, Ukraine, Russia, and post-communist transformation. Classes are held in French and English, so knowledge of both languages is required. Menton on the French Riviera focuses on the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, while Nancy offers a dual-degree program with German universities. Poitiers concentrates on Latin America and the Caribbean (requiring Spanish or Portuguese). The Paris campus – on the legendary rue Saint-Guillaume in the 7th arrondissement – is the most prestigious and competitive, but requires French at a B2+ level.

Study Structure – The 3+2 Model

Undergraduate College (Years 1–3) – Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences. The first two years at your chosen campus cover an interdisciplinary curriculum: constitutional and European law, micro and macroeconomics, political history, sociology, political science, political philosophy, statistics, and social research methodology. In addition, there is a regional specialization corresponding to the campus and mandatory language courses.

Year Three – Mandatory Year Abroad. Every student spends their entire third year at one of over 470 partner universities in 70 countries – Columbia, LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, Berkeley, NUS Singapore, University of Hong Kong – or on an internship at an international organization (UN, European Commission, OECD). This is not an option – it’s a mandatory part of the program, which no comparable university in Europe offers. Students with the best results after the first two years have priority in choosing their university – a powerful motivation for hard work from the very beginning. Funding: Erasmus+ for universities in the EU, Sciences Po mobility scholarships for the rest of the world.

Graduate School (Years 4–5) – Master. Upon returning to Paris, students apply for one of over 30 Master’s programs: International Affairs, International Security, Human Rights, European Affairs, Environmental Policy, Public Policy, Journalism, Finance and Strategy (with HEC Paris), and many others. Sciences Po also offers prestigious dual-degree programs with Columbia University, UCL, Freie Universität Berlin, NUS Singapore, University of Hong Kong, and Keio University (Japan) – students spend 2 years at Sciences Po and 2 years at a partner university, receiving two diplomas.

Cost of Study – Income-Dependent Tuition Fees

Sciences Po employs an income-dependent tuition fee system – one of the most progressive in European higher education. Each family pays a different amount, proportional to their gross income. This is a fundamental difference compared to British universities, where tuition fees are fixed at over 9,000 GBP for everyone.

Each year, students complete a Fee Assessment Form. Based on this, Sciences Po calculates an individual tuition fee. The scale is as follows: 0 EUR/year for families below the poverty line; from 1,500 EUR/year for low-income families; 6,000–8,000 EUR/year for middle-income families; 14,900 EUR/year as the maximum rate for the highest incomes. For typical EU families, tuition fees usually range from 2,000–7,000 EUR annually – making Sciences Po one of the most affordable elite universities in Europe. With a family income of 120,000 PLN gross per year (approx. 28,000 EUR), you can expect tuition fees of around 3,000–4,000 EUR/year. With 200,000 PLN (approx. 46,500 EUR) – 6,000–7,000 EUR/year.

Living costs depend on the campus. At regional campuses (Reims, Le Havre, Dijon, Menton, Nancy, Poitiers), a dormitory or room costs 400–550 EUR/month, food 250–350 EUR/month, transport 30–50 EUR/month – totaling 750–1,100 EUR/month. Paris at the Master’s level is more expensive: accommodation 700–1,200 EUR/month, food 300–400 EUR/month, a Navigo metro pass approx. 40 EUR/month – totaling 1,200–1,500 EUR/month. Let’s be honest – Paris is expensive, but CROUS canteens serve full meals for 3.30 EUR, and student discounts on transport, museums, and culture significantly reduce costs.

For a fraction of the cost of LSE or Oxford, you receive an education of comparable quality in political and social sciences – plus a mandatory year abroad at a university like Columbia or Berkeley, which British universities offer at best as an option. This is one of the strongest arguments for Sciences Po.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Let’s start with an important clarification: the Émile Boutmy scholarship, Sciences Po’s most prestigious scholarship, is exclusively for students from outside the European Union. As EU citizens, international students from EU countries do not qualify. However, this is no cause for frustration – the income-based tuition system means that for many EU families, the tuition itself is already de facto subsidized.

Sciences Po needs-based scholarship – awarded automatically based on the Fee Assessment Form. Amount: 1,000–7,000 EUR/year. Approximately 30% of students receive it. No separate application is required – the Fee Assessment Form itself is the basis for both calculating tuition and awarding the scholarship.

CROUS (Centre Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires) – as a student at a French university, you are entitled to apply for assistance from the CROUS system, which includes housing subsidies (APL/ALS – up to 200–300 EUR per month deducted from rent) and needs-based scholarships. APL is an absolute necessity – virtually every student in France should apply, as the system is available regardless of nationality.

French Government Scholarship (Campus France) – a scholarship program from the French Embassy in Poland for outstanding students. Covers tuition + 700–1,000 EUR/month for living expenses. Application: December–February. NAWA (Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange) – the Polish Mobile Student program offering up to 1,200 EUR/month for students going to study in the EU. Erasmus+ – available in the 3rd year of studies (mandatory year abroad) for an amount of 270–520 EUR/month depending on the destination country.

EU students can legally work in France without any restrictions. Popular options include: tutoring (English, Polish), hospitality jobs, internships at international organizations (Paris offers countless opportunities), and university administrative work. The minimum wage in France (SMIC) is approx. 11.88 EUR/hour gross (2026). Let’s be realistic – Sciences Po is not free like CBS with the Danish SU grant, but the income-based system makes it significantly cheaper for most EU families than any university in the UK.

Verdict for the international student. If you dream of diplomacy, the European Commission, the UN, or think tanks – Sciences Po is the best option in Europe. If you aim for investment banking, consulting, and the private sector in London – LSE offers a stronger network in the City. If you want to combine economics with business and study in Italy – consider Bocconi. If budget is key – Sciences Po with its income-based system is by far the most affordable elite option (with the exception of fully public universities like Sorbonne/PSL or free Scandinavian universities like CBS).

Student Life – From Saint-Germain to Regional Campuses

Paris is one of the best student cities in the world – not only for its culture, history, and cuisine, but also for the practical aspects of daily life. A metro network that reaches everywhere, student discounts on museums and transport, CROUS canteens with meals for 3.30 EUR, and cultural life available almost for free (the first Sunday of the month is free at many museums). Sciences Po’s main campus is located in the 7th arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Prés) – one of the most prestigious locations in the city, adjacent to the cafes where Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Camus debated. When you leave a political philosophy lecture and turn onto Boulevard Saint-Germain, you are literally walking in the footsteps of people who shaped the intellectual map of the 20th century.

But most first and second-year students are not in Paris – they are on regional campuses, and that’s part of the charm. Reims is 45 minutes by TGV from Paris and offers something the capital cannot: an intimate, vibrant international community, lower living costs, and a Gothic coronation cathedral as a view from your dorm window. Le Havre is a port on the English Channel with a smaller, more close-knit student body. Dijon – the capital of Burgundy, a paradise for gastronomy lovers, with living costs 40% lower than in Paris. Menton on the French Riviera is the warmest campus – sea, palm trees, views of Italy – conditions that students at the University of Edinburgh can only dream of.

Sciences Po has over 250 student associations (associations étudiantes). Sciences Po Model United Nations organizes the largest UN simulation in Europe. The Sundial Press is a professional-level English-language student newspaper. Sciences Po Débats hosts Oxford-style debates in English and French. Sciences Po Environnement engages in climate activism. And there is the Sciences Po Polish Society – an association of Polish students, organizing cultural events, meetings with Polish diplomats, and shared Christmas Eve dinners. The Polish community at Sciences Po is small but surprisingly active – it’s worth contacting them even before you arrive.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Summary and Next Steps

Sciences Po Paris is a university that combines elitism with accessibility – its income-dependent tuition fee system means that for a fraction of the cost of LSE or Oxford, you receive an education of absolutely comparable quality in political and social sciences. A mandatory year abroad at universities like Columbia, Berkeley, or Oxford, seven campuses with unique regional specializations, dual-degree programs with the world’s best universities, and a network of 80,000+ alumni dominating the European public sector – these are arguments that no other university on the continent can bring together.

If you are passionate about politics, international relations, diplomacy, human rights, or simply want to understand how power operates in the 21st century – Sciences Po should be at the top of your list. Seven French presidents started exactly where you could begin in September 2026.

Next steps:

1. Take a language exam – TOEFL or IELTS. Practice with prepclass.io – the platform offers full practice tests with AI feedback.
2. Check the conversion of Polish Matura exam results for foreign systems.
3. Start writing your essays – this is the most important part of your application. Focus on authenticity, not on trying to impress.
4. Visit the official admissions website: sciencespo.fr/admissions
5. Submit your application by March 1, 2026 (11:59 PM Paris time).
6. Consider the Reims or Le Havre campuses if you don’t know French – both offer 100% English-language programs.
7. Compare the offer with other universities – check out our guides to LSE, Sorbonne/PSL, and CBS Copenhagen.