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Graduate admissions: language test exemptions
Please note
To be exempted from a language test, you must demonstrate that you are in one of the situations described on this page 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 (except those issued by the Summer School and CIEP-certified)
- 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.
English test exemptions
- 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.
- 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.
French test exemptions
- 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).
German test exemptions
- Applicants holding an Abitur, Abibac or Bac OIB (German option).
- Applicants holding a German university degree (minimum of two years higher education studies).
- Students from the French-German Campus of Sciences Po in Nancy (only those following a French/German programme).
- Applicants holding a Deutsche Hochschulzugangsberechtigung.
