Sciences Po

Sciences Po, officially the Institut d'études politiques de Paris (IEP Paris), is one of France’s most prestigious higher education institutions, renowned for its focus on the social sciences, including political science, economics, law, history, and sociology. Founded in 1872 to train a new generation of public servants after the Franco-Prussian War, it has evolved into a multidisciplinary, research-intensive university with a strong international orientation. Sciences Po is particularly known for its selective admissions, influential research centers, and extensive global partnerships, including dual-degree programs with universities such as Columbia, Oxford, and Keio. The institution operates a main urban campus in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district of Paris and six regional campuses in Reims, Dijon, Le Havre, Nancy, Poitiers, and Menton, each offering distinct international and regional specializations. Its teaching model emphasizes small class sizes, comparative and interdisciplinary approaches, professional exposure, and mandatory international experience. Sciences Po counts numerous heads of state, government leaders, diplomats, and leading figures in business, journalism, and civil society among its alumni.