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Graduate admissions: language requirements
Language requirements
Language requirements depend on the programme to which you are applying. When needed, test results must be attached directly into the online application. Should the language proof of proficiency be missing by the deadline of the selected programme, your application will not be taken into consideration.
If you are applying to two programmes with different requirements, you must meet the highest level required.
Beware : Although for some programmes no specific English level is required for admission, you will be requested to prove a C1 English level by the end of your two years at Sciences Po in order to obtain your Master's degree.
Prerequisites and supporting material:
Exemptions
Some applicants may be exempted from a language test according to their situation.
To be exempted from a language test, you must demonstrate that you are in one of the situations described below by attaching the supporting material to your application form in the section Proof of exemption (language test).
- We do not take into account the native language criteria. Even though the language of the programme is your mother tongue, please provide the requested proficiency test, unless you meet one of the criteria mentioned below.
- C1 or C2 certificates issued by Sciences Po do not allow you to be exempted from language tests.
Candidates holding a French General Baccalaureate with the international or European options can only be exempted from French tests. For other languages, they must provide the tests as required. There is one exception: Graduates of the Bac OIB (German option) are also exempted from German tests.
- Applicants having studied at least two consecutive years within the same degree-granting programme, taught entirely in English. If this is your case, you must provide a certificate from your university stating that English is/was your unique language of instruction.
- Applicants holding a high school diploma and having studied at least two consecutive years in English. We only accept the GCE - Advanced levels certificates with a minimum of 3 subjects AND delivered by an official organism (such as AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel Pearson...)"
- Applicants holding the International Baccalaureate (IB) with English as their language of instruction (levels A1/A2 only) and applicants holding the European Baccalaureate and with English as their language of instruction (level L1 only) are also exempted.
- Applicants holding a high school diploma and who have studied at least two consecutive years in French. In this case you need to provide your high school diploma.
- Applicants holding the International Baccalaureate (IB) with French as their language of instruction (levels A1/A2 only) and applicants holding the European Baccalaureate and with French as their language of instruction (level L1 only).
- Applicants having studied at least two consecutive years within the same degree-granting programme, taught entirely in French. If this is your case, you need to provide proof that your unique language of instruction was French.
- Applicants holding a C1 or C2 French certificate delivered by Sciences Po Summer School (and CIEP-certified).
- Applicants holding an Abitur, Abibac or Bac OIB (German option) and who have studied at least two consecutive years in German. In this case you need to provide your high school diploma.
- Applicants holding a German university degree and who have studied at least two consecutive years within the same degree-granting programme, taught entirely in German. If this is your case, you must provide a certificate from your university stating that German is/was your unique language of instruction.
- Students from the French-German Campus of Sciences Po in Nancy (only those following a French/German programme).
- Applicants holding a Deutsche Hochschulzugangsberechtigung.
- Applicants holding a Luxembourgish high school degree.
- Applicants holding the International Baccalaureate (IB) with German as their language of instruction (levels A1/A2 only) and applicants holding the European Baccalaureate and with German as their language of instruction (level L1 only).
Deadlines
You must provide your language test results at the time you submit your application and before the relevant deadline.
All deadlines always refer to Paris time (11.59pm). Please check the deadlines for the domestic graduate procedure or the international graduate procedure.
Please note:
Do not wait until the last moment and find out about the time needed to obtain your language tests' results which may vary depending on the test taken.
Tests validity
Please note that language tests are valid for two years only (except for certificates listed below). For the 2026 intake, tests must have been taken on 1 January 2024 or later.
Certificates (Cambridge, du DELF et du DALF, Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD), Goethe-Zertifikat, Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH)) have a lifetime validity.
