Sciences Po

Sciences Po was founded in 1872  by Émile Boutmy in response to the political and moral crisis in France in the aftermath of the 1870 Franco-Prussian War. It was intended to educate the new elite and generate modern knowledge for a new France.

In 1945, it was partially nationalised and divided into the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques (FNSP) and the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (IEP). 

Students gain admission to Sciences Po after passing the Baccalauréat (or a foreign equivalent) or having completed an undergraduate or graduate programme. 

Students  with one or more years of professional experience, as well as those preparing for competitive examinations are welcome. In addition, Sciences Po runs a popular Summer School and a variety of MOOCs, providing study opportunities for a wide range of students who attend summer courses or benefit from online learning.

Sciences Po is a research university in the social sciences, internationally recognised for the quality of its scientific output. Developed with a strong focus on society, research conducted at Sciences Po enriches public debate.

At Sciences Po, more than 200 faculty members in the fields of humanities and social sciences study transformations at work in the modern world and the challenges they represent.

• Sciences Po has a policy of actively assisting students in their professional orientation. Upon admission and for up to two years after graduation, Sciences Po Careers helps students and recent graduates to choose a career path, build a career plan, prepare applications, and meet employers.

• Thanks to an extensive alumni network, its community of professional teachers and its ties to the business world, Sciences Po publishes thousands of job and internship offers every year (access reserved to students and recent graduates).
• As early as the first year of study, the Career Services helps students define their professional goals.