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.

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%.

Students present on campus are welcome to stay all day if they wish, to attend other classes either face-to-face or remotely, study or socialize while respecting the barrier gestures. In Paris, the Boutmy amphitheater can accommodate 100 students at a time, and study rooms are available. 

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

Many events take place or are broadcast online. You can consult the list of upcoming virtual events 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. 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 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. 

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 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);

What should I do if I have been in direct contact with someone who tested positive?

1/ If all the effective protective measures listed below have been respected and you are not considered to be at risk, you can continue to access your campus or workplace. 

Effective protective measures during the entire period of contact : 

• surgical mask worn by the case or contact person
• consumer mask manufactured to AFNOR standard or equivalent worn by the case AND the contact person, 
• hygienic screen or other physical separation such as glass or Plexiglas.

2/ You are considered as a risk contact if you have had direct contact with a confirmed case in one of the following situations without effective protective measures

• in the same department;
• in the same living space (home, etc.) as the confirmed or probable case;
• face-to-face, less than 1 metre apart, for any length of time (e.g. conversation, eating, hugging). On the other hand, people encountered in the public space in a fleeting manner are not considered to be contacts at risk;
• while giving or receiving a hygiene or care procedure;
• in a confined space (office or meeting room, personal vehicle...) for at least 15 minutes with a case, or having been face to face with a case during several episodes of coughing or sneezing.

If you have been in any of the above situations:

> If you have clinical symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 or fever, you should be tested as soon as possible: 

• If the test is positive: isolation for at least 10 days, including 48 hours after the symptoms have disappeared
• If the test is negative: respect the protective measures and avoid all gatherings or high risk persons

> In the absence of clinical signs or fever, you should test 7 days after the time of the risk of contamination.

In each of these situations, please contact your GP for guidance.