Sciences Po Exchange

Language Requirement: Varies
Academic Standing by Program Start: Junior or above
Location: Europe, France
GPA: 3.0
Program Overview

In this exchange program, you will enroll directly in classes at Sciences Po, a French university that is internationally oriented in terms of its academic program, student body, and faculty. This exchange program offers undergraduate and graduate courses in both French and in English. 

Sciences Po is the premier university for the social sciences in France. Sciences Po is classified as a “grande école,” or elite university, that educates the nation’s top students in the social sciences, most of whom will work in government, law, international affairs, journalism, and public policy after graduation. 

Short for L'Institut d'études politiques, the Sciences Po Undergraduate College is made up of a network of seven campuses, each with focus on a geographic region: Central and Eastern Europe (Dijon campus), Asia (Le Havre campus), the Middle East and Mediterranean (Menton campus) Europe & the Franco-German zone (Nancy campus), Latin America, Spain and Portugal (Poitiers campus), Africa or North America (Reims campus). 

Exchange students have access to the same support services offered to French students at Sciences Po. Support services vary by campus but include academic advising, health services, disability services, sport facilities and activities, and activities organized by clubs and associations.  

Graduate Studies
All graduate exchange students study on the Paris campus and take the same courses as students doing a degree program at Sciences Po and form an integral part of the student community. Graduate exchange students have access to the majority of Sciences Po’s graduate programs. However, certain programs have linguistic and/or academic prerequisites. Graduate students take the courses of the graduate program they are admitted to and cannot attend other graduate level courses.  

Learn more about the program from the Sciences Po website.

Dates and Deadlines
 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Fall Semester 2024 2/1/2024 Late August Mid-December
Academic Year 2024-25 2/1/2024 Late August Late May
Spring Semester 2025 6/15/2024 Mid January Late May

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $400 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

Exchange students at Sciences Po choose their disciplinary and multidisciplinary courses from the range of course offerings in law, economics, history, the humanities, international relations, political science and sociology, taught by faculty and practitioners, in the first and second year of the BA program.  Exchange students can enroll in specific courses on French and European history and culture, which offer supplementary methodological training. 

The curriculum can be completed in French, English, or both languages (varies by campus) and includes a diverse range of courses; activities with student clubs and associations also form part of the program.  
 
Core coursework in the social sciences are mostly in English. Qualified students (min. B2 level) may elect to take some or all coursework in French. Beginners in French are welcome. Students have the opportunity to take intensive French-language courses and workshops, allowing students to vastly improve their language ability over a short period of time. See Sciences Po's website for language requirements at each campus. 

At Sciences Po, students take full advantage of formal instruction thanks to interactive classes. This format fosters skills such as public speaking, debate and critical thinking.  Sciences Po uses the ECTS crediting system in which 1 ECTS is equal to 0.75 UO quarter credit.

  • Lecture courses award 10 ECTS credits.
  • Seminar courses, elective courses, language course, and artistic workshops award 5 ECTS credits. 

Students attending Sciences Po must register for 20-30 ECTS in the fall semester and 30 ECTS in the spring semester.  

Note: You should consult with your UO academic advisor before submitting your course enrollment to Sciences Po.  

Exchange program on the Paris campus 

The main Sciences Po campus is in Paris. It is located near the center of the city, in the Saint Germain neighborhood. Students in the undergraduate exchange program on the Paris campus can choose from a wide range of courses taught in French or in English in the humanities and social sciences: law, economics, history, humanities, political science, sociology and international relations. They can also take culture courses which include learning French methodology, and language classes. 

Students must enroll at least one course of 5 ECTS credits and cannot choose more than 30 ECTS credits per semester. To be eligible for the Certificate of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities, students must pass 20 ECTS credits in one semester (out of 30 ECTS credits attempted) and 45 ECTS credits for one academic year (out of 60 ECTS credits attempted). 
 
Exchange program on the Reims campus 

The Sciences Po campus in Reims concentrates on North American studies, and offers a full course selection in English. The Reims campus provides an outstanding study environment, combining a superb architectural heritage and ultra-modern facilities. It is located 45 minutes from Paris by high-speed rail and the cost of living in Reims is much lower than in Paris. 

Each semester, Sciences Po's campus in Reims, welcomes exchange students who wish to pursue international studies. This certificate-awarding exchange has been specifically designed for students to thrive in the growing community of media and international scholars and students in France. At the Reims campus, you have the option to enroll in dedicated certificate studies, or to pursue your own study plan. 

If you choose one of the certificate programs, you will need to complete two core common seminars, two courses in your chosen track, one language course, and one elective of your choice (30 ECTS credits). For more information about the current certificate programs available at the Sciences Po Riems campus, please visit their website.

Other Campuses

Besides Reims and Paris, as an UO exchange student, you may enroll in any of Sciences Po other campuses, but be sure to verify the campus language requirements and primary language of instruction, as they differ from campus to campus.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional requirements
  • Fluency in French is required for most courses in all campuses except Reims. 
  • Completed WR 121 and 122 or 123 with grades of B- or higher 

 

Application process

The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements. 

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Housing Description

Student residence halls in France are independent organizations from Sciences Po. All student residences are run either by a governmental organization or by private businesses and are open to all university students within the city regardless of the establishment they are attending.

Sciences Po will help to facilitate the initial steps in reserving housing. However, room reservation, room assignments, and all other housing questions must be addressed directly to the residences themselves before arriving and once living in France as they will be the most capable in responding to any and all questions.

Sciences Po offers a comprehensive website to support students in finding housing and dealing with any housing related issues. Click on the housing link in the side menu for more information.