What are the modalities for the start of the fall 2020 semester?

The fall semester began on 14 September 2020. Inaugural lectures took place online and for the first time, were available to the general public. Read the recaps and watch the replays of inaugural lectures here.

How is the fall semester being carried out?

Throughout the semester, all Sciences Po students will have access to a dual campus:

• A digital campus, providing all course content in a variety of formats, adapted to each class. Any student will be able to complete their entire course remotely.
• A physical campus, in the seven cities where Sciences Po is present, will be open and will focus on student activities in small groups: course sessions, tutorials, group projects, small group work, supervised community activities, etc. This physical campus will, of course, remain connected to the rest of the community in order to guarantee the participation of students unable to reach our premises.

> Find out more about the modalities of the fall 2020 semester

How are classes being organised?

Sciences Po continues to guarantee academic continuity and the quality of its education and degrees thanks to various tools and innovative methods supported by the Institute of Skills and Innovation. Academic continuity has been based upon three principles: 

• Maintaining the quality of teaching leading to the validation of your semester;
• Reducing the weekly course load in order to leave more time for independent study and for the organisational constraints you are faced with;
• Reinforce follow-ups and communication with all our students on an individual basis.

In addition, teaching time and evaluation methods have been made more flexible.

On what platform do remote classes take place?

All students have a personal access to the ZOOM platform,. This tool is in addition to a variety of educational materials which help to maintain regular living and working routines, while still taking into account the variable conditions of internet access.

Can we access library resources?

As of September 14, the Paris libraries are open at the usual times but access may be different depending on the building: see detailed information here (FR).

Please note: The wearing of a mask and the respect of barrier gestures are compulsory in all areas of the library at all times.

The library at 30 rue Saint Guillaume on the Paris campus is open from 9:30 am to 6 pm. The research library is open from 9 am to 6 pm.

All Sciences Po students, teachers, researchers and employees have access to the reading rooms, depending upon availability of spaces in respect to physical distances (affluence is monitored at the entrance according to occupancy rate).

External readers only have access to the loan of documents at the desk at 30 rue Saint Guillaume. Please note: there are no new registrations at this time. All active accounts of external readers have been extended until the end of September.

The library's online resources remain accessible via the Digital Resources page or the catalog. 

When will the 2020 graduation ceremonies take place?

The graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 were not able to take place as originally planned on 26 and 27 June 2020 at the Philharmonie de Paris. Alternatives are however being studied and will be communicated to students concerned as soon as possible.

Events

Events on our campuses are authorized, with the agreement of Sciences Po and within the limit of the number of participants defined by the prefectural authorities, on the condition that they respect health regulations - in particular the wearing of a mask and a physical distance of 1 meter between each person.

> For Sciences Po staff or faculty members who wish to organize an event: contact the Communications Department at evenements@sciencespo.fr and consult the instructions for organizing an event.

Consult the list of upcoming events (physical, virtual or both) on our Events page.

Can I still pursue an internship during this time?

We invite you to get in touch with your internship supervisor to discuss the modalities of your internship (remote, in-person, mixed). If in doubt about the conditions of your internship, do not hesitate to contact Sciences Po Careers.

This information is valid for all current or future requests.

> For all questions relating to internships and professional opportunities, visit the dedicated Frequently Asked Questions page on the Sciences Po Careers website.

My university is allowing me to go ahead with the exchange semester (semester 5), either in-person or online. What are the implications of my choice?

Students with an offer for an exchange semester (either in-person or online) from their host university may carry out the semester according to the arrangements proposed by their host university. 

The possibility of carrying out the semester abroad in person will depend entirely on the possibility of travelling to and staying in the host country.

In either case, the continuation of your studies will be ensured by your host university according to the pedagogical arrangements that they propose. Provided that all conditions are met for both semesters, you will be able to validate your 3rd year having completed two exchange semesters at that university. On the Sciences Po side, you will remain under the tutelage of the geographic programme manager responsible for your host university’s country within the Direction of International Affairs.

What does the 5th semester taking place at the Sciences Po Undergraduate College consist of?

The Undergraduate College is fully aware that some third-year students will not be able to undertake an international exchange next semester.

During the autumn 2020 semester, we will offer classes equalling a total of 30 ECTS, according to the following layout:

• a lecture (cours magistral) with workshop (conférence de méthode);
• a Master’s level core course;
• the choice between: 2 seminars + 1 language course linked with your exchange project, or 3 seminars, either based on diversified academic themes or on specialised themes (ex: planetary transformations, media/media literacy, gender studies, European Union, etc.);
• and finally, it will be possible to undertake the Grand écrit during S5.

The class schedules and specific academic modalities will be communicated at the beginning of June, before class registrations, as for all Sciences Po programmes.

Do we have the option to take part in an internship next semester, alongside or instead of the planned semester? 

Although it will not be possible to replace a semester of study with a semester of internship, requests for optional internships that would be carried out in parallel with the S5 at the Undergraduate College may be examined and authorised, if necessary. Such internships will not give additional credits.

Given the specific format of this hybrid year, students alternating between studying and internship will be permitted to swap the order of their study and internship semesters. This change will only be possible in certain circumstances outlined by the Undergraduate College, especially relating to the validation of students’ Majors. If you wish to swap the order of your semesters, the request needs to be made using the form for request for change of situation by 2 June 2020. Your application will then be considered by the Undergraduate College alongside the Sciences Po Careers department.

What’s happening with semester 6? 

At the moment, university exchanges in semester 6 are planned to go ahead for all students, regardless of their situation and decision for semester 5 (except in exceptional cases where students are reassigned to a different partner university for the whole year). This is, of course, dependent on the conditions permitting the exchange, which may be subject to changes in sanitary, safety and transport conditions, government guidelines, and any other factors related to the current situation. The status of exchanges for semester 6 will be confirmed during the autumn semester. 

What about the Capstone project? (Grand écrit)

Naturally, all educational requirements, independent of the 3rd year on exchange abroad or internship, will be maintained under conditions previously communicated to you. This concerns in particular the Capstone project, which is a pillar of the culmination of your studies at Sciences Po’s Undergraduate College.

I am having difficulty continuing my semester online with the course offerings proposed by my host institution, what can I do? 

First and foremost, please contact the respective Department of International Affairs teams whose programme managers may contact your host institution and / or make a personal assessment of your situation.

My host institution has switched to a pass/fail grading system. Will Sciences Po accept credits obtained in this form?

Due to the exceptional circumstances of Covid-19, and if this is a set decision of your host university in the current context, Sciences Po will exceptionally recognise credits obtained by a pass/fail evaluation - corresponding to full course credit and ensuring that you may validate your semester.

My host university where I was on exchange offers online courses, however, the current course offerings will not allow me to validate my major. 

Students are invited to contact their geographic programme manager within the Department of International Affairs in order to provide specific information on this situation. Sciences Po’s teams will assess each situation individually. 

I fear that I will be stuck in my host country due to travel restrictions, and that I will not be able to return to my home country at the end of the semester. What are Sciences Po's guidelines?

Many countries have restricted international travel. Whatever your decision for the rest of your semester, we recommend that you keep us informed, in conjunction with the local authorities and your consulate.

Naturally, for those who fear being stuck in a host country, we strongly encourage them to return as soon as possible to their country of permanent residence, where they can continue to pursue their education remotely, according to the instructions of the Sciences Po teaching teams.

The country I am currently in has closed its borders, what should I do?

If you haven’t already, immediately contact the Sciences Po International Affairs (DAI) representative of your host country for assistance. 

What steps need to be taken regarding medical insurance and the MAIF repatriation from Sciences Po?

If you are not affected by Covid-19 yourself, there are no steps to be taken with the MAIF, which does not cover early returns.

If you are sick, you must immediately notify Sciences Po and the MAIF as Sciences Po students benefit from medical and repatriation insurance during their study abroad. Sciences Po's contract number with MAIF is N°4089550K, and the support services can be reached at 0800 875 875 from France and 0033 5 49 77 47 78 from abroad.

What should I do if I show symptoms? 

If you are showing any signs of COVID-19 (fever or feeling of fever, cough, difficulty breathing):

• Contact your general doctor or any doctor available via teleconsultation, or the care centre number of your region 
• Isolate yourself in your home; avoid any physical contact with others.

> If you are having difficulty breathing, dial 15. In all cases, follow your doctor's recommendations.

What should I do if I am sick?

If you have a confirmed case of COVID-19, whether you are showing symptoms or not, you must remain strictly at home for the duration prescribed by your doctor. In the case of difficulty breathing, dial 15 (SAMU emergency services).

It is necessary to inform and send your medical certificate by email to:

• For students: your programme manager (responsable pédagogique)
• For staff members: your manager and the HR department (personnel.covid@sciencespo.fr);
• For Professors and permanent faculty: your programme manager (responsable pédagogique) and the HR department (personnel.covid@sciencespo.fr);
• For part-time teachers: your programme manager (responsable pédagogique).