COVID-19 INFORMATION

Recommendations & Frequently Asked Questions
The situation at Sciences Po, and the answers to your questions
Health Regulations and Recommendations to Follow
We remind you that the French government has established a curfew to prevent the spreading of Covid-19. Therefore, staying at home is mandatory between 6PM and 6AM, except for health or professional reasons. You can download your attestation here or fill it in online here.
Because of the propagation of the COVID-19 variants, travellers entering France from an EU country must present a negative PCR test and a sworn statement confirming they present no symptoms and have not been in contact with any Covid-19 positive persons. You can download said statement here.
Where a PCR test cannot be conducted in the country of departure, a screening process is conducted upon arrival and travellers have to enter a mandatory 7-day quarantine.
We ask the members of all our communities (students, employees, and faculty) to continue to respect barrier gestures when in the presence of others in order to preserve the health of all, and in particular the most fragile:
- Wash your hands very regularly or use a hydro-alcoholic solution before and after manipulating your mask;
- Respect a distance of 2 metres with other people;
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue (and immediately dispose of it afterward); or otherwise into your elbow;
- When greeting, do not shake hands and avoid hugging or kissing;
- Do not touch your nose, eyes or mouth;
- Use digital resources such as the government app Tous AntiCovid;
- Air out premises for at least 10 minutes, three times a day;
- If symptoms appear, stay home and contact your doctor.
Last updated: 01 March, 2021
Given the evolving context of this issue, your questions and suggestions are essential to help expand and develop these FAQs. Do not hesitate to address them via the email address: contact@sciencespo.fr
The Situation on Our Campuses: Latest Updates
In accordance with new government measures establishing a lockdown on weekends in the Alpes Maritimes region, the Menton campus will be closed on the weekend of 6 March 2021. All classes scheduled for Saturday 6 March will take place online, and the library will be closed.
Other Sciences Po campuses are open from 7:45am to 5:15pm, from Mondays to Fridays. Buildings close at 5:30pm.
- Since 1 February, some classes are held in-person, in compliance with the 20% capacity rule introduced by the government.
- Libraries on all campuses are open and bookable for study sessions, from Mondays to Saturdays.
- On-campus study spaces are available for students struggling with working from home. To be allocated a space, students will need to contact their academic advisors.
- Course evaluations, midterms, and exams will all take place online according to the existing calendar.
Please feel free to consult Useful Resources for Remote Learning, available on our Students website.
There are more than 120 in-person activities for students planned this semester (35 of which may be subject to change according to any new lockdown regulations) and nearly 15 exclusively remote ones, depending on your campus.
At your nearest CROUS cafeteria, you can enjoy two takeaway meals a day for €1 each, upon activation of your Izly account.
All financial aid and social services, as well as the Student Health Office, remain open and at your disposal to accompany you during this challenging period. It is very important that you remain attentive and careful, both for yourself and for the well-being of others.
Finally, it is crucial that we all work to maintain a strong link between Sciences Po and its students. As such, we will share with you information about a series of student activities to take place virtually that will help to keep us engaged in building our community together.
Latest Communications Sent by Sciences Po
Frequently Asked Questions
Classes & Academic Life
How is the spring semester being carried out?
Since 1 February, some classes are held on campus with reinforced protective measures in compliance with the 20% capacity rule introduced by the government. If you have an online class before or after your in-person session and are unable to go home, you are allowed to remain on campus in classrooms set aside for this purpose. Classes remain available online for students who cannot attend in-person sessions.
After the beginning of the curfew, only classes between 5pm and 7pm will continue to run face-to-face. Students in these classes will be required to justify their presence in public after 6pm by filling out a mandatory travel certificate (justificatif de déplacement), downloadable from the government website or the application TousAntiCovid (tick box n°1), and if necessary presenting their Sciences Po timetable online on their student space. If you have a remote class at this time immediately following a face-to-face class, you will only be permitted to attend it on-site if the class appears on your timetable or a special attestation in some campuses.
Students are encouraged to get a PCR or antigen test before returning to in-person classes and to strictly respect social distancing and protective measures, so that the university can remain open. Testing capacities at Sciences Po are available since 15 February, with specificities depending on the campus.
Libraries on all campuses remain open and bookable for study sessions, including on Saturdays. Study spaces on campus are also available from 7:45am to 5:15pm for students having difficulties with their internet connection at home. Registering is essential to ensure that the campus does not exceed its maximum authorised capacity of 20%.
The academic calendar remains the same. Regular information will be sent out according to the evolution of the sanitary crisis and government measures.
On what platform do remote classes take place?
All students have 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.
Is attendance mandatory for remote classes?
For remote classes, attendance continues to be recorded by teachers in order to identify students in potentially difficult situations, but it is not penalized. Nonetheless, you are strongly advised to follow remote courses in order to validate them. Consult class regulations updated on 30 June 2020 (FR).
Social assistance, health, education: how can we access student services?
All financial and social assistance services as well as the health centre are maintained and available to support you throughout the semester. Visit the Students website for more information.
At your nearest CROUS cafeteria, you can enjoy two takeaway meals a day for €1 each, upon activation of your Izly account.
The Sciences Po Health Centre is available on all our campuses and can provide free and confidential appointments in French or English. To make an appointment with a doctor, visit this link.
A student handbook has been made available to answer frequently asked questions. To request any document regarding your academic registration, please fill out this form.
Student life: how can we participate in activities?
There are more than 120 in-person activities for students planned this semester (35 of which may be subject to change according to any new lockdown regulations) and nearly 15 exclusively remote ones, depending on your campus. There are new activities to discover online for students on every campus. Students on the Paris campus can find information about registration here.
Can we access library resources?
Libraries on all campuses are open from 7:30am to 5:15pm and bookable for study sessions. They are only accessible via reservation to students, researchers and faculty who are members of the Sciences Po community.
Please note that wearing a mask and respecting barrier gestures is compulsory in all areas of the libraries at all times.
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
To respect barrier measures, numerous events are organized virtually. You can consult the list of upcoming virtual events on our Events page.
Internships / Professional Opportunities
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. 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.
Third-Year Students - 2020/21
Incoming international students for the 2020-21 academic year: Student visas and resident permit applications are being processed as a priority. We invite you to regularly check official information for updated information on specific countries.
> How to apply for a visa and residence permit
> Press Release by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
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 during the fall 2020 semester.
During the fall 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.
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 Office of International Affairs 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.
Return & Repatriation
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.
Last updated: 01 March, 2021
TO ALL STUDENTS: If you have tested positive for Covid-19 or if you have been in contact with a person who has, please fill out the following form, which will allow us to help the Regional Health Agency more effectively in the case of a tracing campaign:
- Form for students of the Dijon campus
- Form for students of the Le Havre campus
- Form for students of the Menton campus
- Form for students of the Nancy campus
- Form for students of the Paris campus
- Form for students of the Poitiers campus
- Form for students of the Reims campus
Health contacts
The Sciences Po Health Centre's medical staff is available on campus or remotely, by appointment only. To make an appointment, please contact pole.sante@sciencespo.fr.
The student health ambassadors are running group activities around health promotion and prevention. They are also able to share useful information and advice about health topics such as sleep, addictions and nutrition, and guide you towards the available sources of support if needed. They are present on social media (Facebook and Whaller) and are organising health workshops (on campus or online depending on the pandemic evolution).
In case of emergency:
- Dial 112 for emergency services throughout the European Union
- Dial 15 for the SAMU (French emergency medical services)
- Dial 18 for your nearest fire station, which also administers first aid
- Dial 3624 for SOS médecin, a round-the-clock house visit service (calls cost 12 c/minute)
- Duty chemist/night pharmacies in Île de France (in French only) or around France (in French only)
- All hospitals have emergency services (in French only)
- Medical services near campus
- Help lines
Testing
To fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Sciences Po is launching a testing campaign, free and open to all faculty, staff and students.
Antigen tests are available on the Paris, Reims, Le Havre and Nancy campuses from 8 March 2021. On other campuses, tests are possible through external partners (SIUMPPS, laboratories or local pharmacies). Please reach out to your campus administration for more specific information.
Modalities to get tested on the Paris campus:
- Testing is available in the cafeteria of the 56, rue des Saints-Pères, Mondays to Fridays from 11 AM to 1:30 PM
- Appointments are compulsory and must be taken on the website Doctolib
You can find all other testing facilities on the website sante.fr.
Please note that a virological test only establishes a diagnosis at a given time. Also, a negative test does not in any way exempt someone from respecting barrier gestures and physical distancing.
For those who wish to perform an individual screening, virological tests - which can determine if you are ill - are available to everyone, without a prescription, and reimbursed by Health Insurance. It is however recommended to obtain a prescription from your doctor for the test in order to receive results more quickly. These provisions are also applicable to people who are not covered by social security. You can find all the screening locations on the sante.fr website. The test is recommended as a priority if you are a person at risk, if you are in contact with fragile people or if you have participated in a large gathering. Take advice from a doctor.
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 part-time teachers: 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);

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Remote Learning
Our remote learning toolkits are online!
Are you a teacher? Consult documents and tutorials for getting started with remote teaching
Are you a student? Consult documents and tutorials for getting started with remote learning
Useful contacts
> At Sciences Po : sante.2020@sciencespo.fr
> French government helpline, accessible 24/7: 0 800 130 000