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Academics

Field of Study: Social Sciences

Sciences Po is one of the most highly respected universities in France. It draws top students from all over the world interested in training to become future leaders in politics and management. Open exclusively to a limited number of UC majors, the curriculum focuses on political science, economics, international relations, law, and history. The comparative perspective of courses gives the curriculum a strong international dimension. 

Unique study opportunities

  • Learn alongside political science students from all over the world and participate in lively debates with differing world views.
  • Actively engage with current European geopolitical topics.
  • Earn a Certificate of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities to highlight your unique academic experience.
  • Receive an elite education from members of parliament and the French National Assembly in addition to career professors and visiting faculty.

Language

Language of Instruction: English, French

French Language Study: Required

Sciences Po Paris offers courses taught in both English and French, with French-taught courses available to students with requisite language skills. 

A French language course is required during the semester. If you have two years or more of university-level French language background, you can replace the French language course with a regular course taught in French.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program: 

  • Take a full-time course of study: Five courses for a minimum of 22.5 quarter/15 semester UC units
  • One French language course. Students with two years of university-level French can substitute with a regular course taught in French
  • You may take two courses for pass/no pass per semester

Current Program Courses

The fields offered at Sciences Po Paris are Economics, Law, History, International Relations, Political Science, and Sociology. Course topics change regularly from term to term as courses are taught by rotating faculty, including high-ranking political figures, journalists, historians, and researchers working in their fields of expertise. Most courses are upper division and range from 4.5-6 quarter/3-4 semester UC units. 

If you have two years of university-level French, you can enroll in French-taught courses. When taking courses in French, overcoming the language barrier in the context of your courses may be a challenge at first. However, it will afford you the opportunity to meet and interact with local students. You will be amazed at how your language competency will improve by being immersed in French courses. Many UCEAP alumni have reported that the best thing they did for themselves during their time abroad was to step outside their comfort zone and take courses in French. 

Research, internships, and independent study are typically not available on this program.

Catalogs and resources

  • Sciences Po Paris Course Catalog: View course lists for recent terms. Courses are separated by term, language of instruction, and course type.
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings. 
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic Culture

Before formal instruction begins, there is a mandatory welcome program which includes social activities, an introduction to French culture and the French educational system, and specific tips about Sciences Po. There is no UC credit for the welcome program.

There are a variety of course types offered at Sciences Po. Most courses are seminar style with 20 to 60 students for two hours per week. Lecture courses are held in amphitheaters for approximately 60 to 500 students and present a broad theoretical analysis of major issues and trends in the given field. Lectures are supplemented by a mandatory conference session of about 20 students and are considered a truly French university experience. Methodology Workshops of about 20 students are associated with a disciplinary course in the major and consolidate methodological approaches to processing information and written and oral communication.

The small group classes require active participation, written exposés, continuous assessment, papers, a midterm, and a final exam. Participants report that lectures are comparable in size to UC, though the teaching style is drastically different. Professors expect you to take more notes than at UC, which requires strenuous effort since courses typically last for two hours with only a short break.

Unlike practices at UC, full syllabi, course readers, and published course notes are rarely available. You will receive a syllabus on the first day of class, however, it may not be as thorough as a UC syllabus. Although assigned homework is rare, professors do provide extensive bibliographies from which you are expected to select books to read. On the final exam, you may be asked to present a broad, conceptual analysis of a given question based on lectures and independent reading. You must obtain a comprehensive knowledge of the subject through judicious reading.

As class participation is an integral part of the academic program, attendance in class is mandatory and roll is taken at each class session. Absences and persistent tardiness will result in an automatic failure of the course.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework.

Grades for the fall semester are typically available in late March. Grades for the spring semester are typically available in late August.

Tip: If you intend to put yourself on your campus degree list for graduation while on UCEAP, consult your campus advisors before departure about possible delays in the degree verification process.