Competitive exam preparation

Please note

Registrations for the Sciences Po European competitive examination preparation centre are open from Monday 2 February to Friday 20 February 2026, 2:00 pm via a this form. 

Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Registration is open, without selection, to Sciences Po students enrolled in Master 1 or Master 2 programmes, students on a gap year, Sciences Po graduates, and external students.

Preparation center for european civil service examinations (CPCE)

The CPCE was established at Sciences Po in April 2007 as a response to the growing expectations and demand from students, alumni as well as other interested groups for a service to better prepare them for the competitive entry examination of The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO).

The European institutions employ more than 40,000 people from 28 member countries of the EU. The Office EPSO organizes "open competitions" to select staff for both permanent official EU roles and temporary and contract-based positions. The EU also welcomes interns, and manages databases of data experts specialized in specific areas.

The CPCE scheduling follows the calendar of examinations published by EPSO and prepares students aiming to become permanent officials for the Administrator-level examination.

As of 2008, CPCE set up a preparation programme for the AD5 administrator examination beginning with the field of audit. From 2010, the CPCE has prepared students for all levels of the Administrator examination (AD5, AD7) including the generalist examination and the specialized units (audit, statistics).

Programme

The pedagogy used at Sciences Po's CPCE consists of applying to European competitive examinations the unique expertise developed by Sciences Po in the field of preparation for French public administration examinations. Sciences Po's approach to preparing for competitive exams is inspired by a simple idea: success depends on a perfect mastery of the format and specifications of the tests.

The preparation is adapted to the competitive exams and accompanies the students at each stage of the selection and recruitment process.

PREPARATION FOR THE WRITTEN TESTS

Preparation for the selection tests is provided by a team of competition laureates who work in the EU institutions. These teachers provide students with the benefit of both their competition experience and their professional experience within the institutions. 

LANGUAGES

The preparation is offered in French and English.

TRAINING PROGRAMME

The training takes place in group sessions at Sciences Po for the preparation of the application file, the knowledge of the European Union, the written test and the final phase of the reserve list and recruitment. 

On the other hand, preparation for the RVNA tests takes place in small groups depending on the language chosen (French or English) and the location (at Sciences Po or remotely). 

Fees

• M1 or M2 students: no fee 
• Sciences Po graduates: 350 euros
• External students: 450 euros

Contact us

Information on the CPCE and registration: information.cpce@sciencespo.fr