Bachelor of Arts - Asia-Pacific Minor

A specialisation focused on the dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region

The Asia-Pacific minor within the Bachelor’s programme at Sciences Po is part of the multidisciplinary education in the humanities and social sciences shared across the University College, while offering an in-depth focus on the geopolitical, economic, social and cultural issues of a region that has become central to contemporary global balances.

Offered at the Le Havre campus, this minor provides a cross-cutting analysis of a region extending from South Asia to East Asia and the Pacific, including China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Australia. Marked by sustained economic growth, major geopolitical reconfigurations and a wide diversity of political and social models, the Asia-Pacific region offers a privileged vantage point from which to observe the transformations of the twenty-first century.

Courses address power dynamics, strategic rivalries, development trajectories, environmental challenges, and social and cultural transformations, while also placing in perspective the relationships between countries in the region and major Western powers, particularly the United States and the European Union. The pedagogical approach combines historical legacies, including empires, colonisation, trade routes and intellectual exchanges, with the analysis of contemporary issues such as the rise of Asia, rivalries in the South China Sea, economic transitions, rapid urbanisation, environmental challenges, societal transformations and technological innovation.

Delivered in English, the minor draws on the full range of social science disciplines, including history, political science, economics, sociology, law and the humanities, to equip students with the tools needed to understand the complexity and diversity of Asian and Pacific societies.

Several international dual degree programmes are available to students, in partnership with leading universities:

• Columbia University;
• University of California Berkeley;
• University of British Columbia (UBC); 
• Keio University, specific to the Le Havre campus;
• National University of Singapore (NUS);
• University of Hong Kong;
• University of Sydney.

The Asia-Pacific Minor explained in video

Courses and subjects at the heart of contemporary Asian issues

The Asia-Pacific minor is an English-taught programme, enabling students to develop within an international academic environment. Specialised courses offer an in-depth exploration of the major political, economic and social transformations of the region through a wide range of topics, including development and inequalities, political violence, governance, regional dynamics, cultural exchanges and representations.

Examples of courses include:

• Along the Silk Road;
• Understanding Contemporary Chinese Society through the Social Sciences;
• Southeast Asian Political Dynamics.

Languages taught within the minor

Understanding Asian societies also involves learning the languages of the region. As part of the Asia-Pacific minor, students may learn or further develop their skills in Chinese, Japanese and Korean, Hindi, Bahasa.

French as a Foreign Language courses are also offered to students whose level is below B1.

Learning these languages is a valuable asset for academic mobility and for internationally oriented careers, particularly in Asian contexts.

Find out more about language teaching. 

Skills developed through the minor

The Asia-Pacific minor within the Bachelor’s programme at Sciences Po provides the core foundations in the social sciences shared by all students at the University College, enhanced by a regional specialisation.

Students develop the ability to analyse the geopolitical and economic dynamics of contemporary Asia, a strong understanding of development models and social transitions, and a critical perspective on interactions between local, regional and global actors.

Above all, they acquire solid methodological skills, including critical analysis, comparative reasoning, the use of quantitative and qualitative data, and the ability to construct arguments in an international environment. These skills prepare them for a wide range of career paths, including diplomacy, international organisations, companies operating in Asia, strategy or political risk consulting, international journalism, and academic research.

A third year to deepen Asian immersion

The third year of the Bachelor’s programme at Sciences Po takes place entirely abroad, at one of the institution’s 445 partner universities.

For students in the Asia-Pacific minor, it is recommended to prioritise a university located in Asia or offering specialised courses on the region. A stay in a country whose language has been studied allows for particularly in-depth linguistic and cultural immersion.

However, mobility in Asia is not compulsory. Students remain free to choose a destination anywhere in the world, provided that they undertake coursework related to Asian issues or to relations between their host country and the region.

Studying the Asia-Pacific minor on the Le Havre campus

The Asia-Pacific minor is offered at the Le Havre campus, whose academic approach is specifically focused on Asian and global dynamics.

Find out more about the Le Havre campus and its student community.