The Undergraduate history programme in France at Sciences Po

Sciences Po is a research university situated in the heart of Paris, in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. Known for its academic quality, it ranks first in France for social sciences and second worldwide for Politics and International Studies (QS Rankings, 2024).

Sciences Po offers an Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in the humanities and social sciences (equivalent to the French Licence), with History as one of its core disciplines. This Undergraduate programme, available across seven campuses, allows students to study History alongside subjects such as economics, political science, sociology, and political humanities.

Rather than following a traditional History degree structure, this programme takes an interdisciplinary and comparative approach, enabling students to engage with contemporary global issues where historical perspectives are essential.

After three years of study, students develop a strong foundation in historical analysis and critical thinking, preparing them for Master’s programmes in History and related fields.

History: A core discipline in the Sciences Po Bachelor of Arts Programme

The Sciences Po Bachelor of Arts (BA) in the Humanities and Social Sciences, accessible after secondary education, offers a broad range of courses in modern and contemporary history. Located in France, with its main campus in Paris, Sciences Po places particular emphasis on political history in its various dimensions, including the history of institutions, public action, political movements, and international relations. This approach is grounded in an international perspective, allowing students to develop a global and comparative understanding of historical processes.

History courses within the Undergraduate programme follow a rigorous and interdisciplinary approach. Two compulsory courses provide a foundation for all students: a course on 19th-century political history in the first year, followed by a course on 20th-century political history in the second year. This structure enables students to establish a clear historical timeline while deepening their understanding of political, social, and cultural transformations.

As part of their Undergraduate studies, students engage with key historical moments, equipping them with analytical tools to better understand contemporary global challenges. These courses form an integral part of the Bachelor’s degree curriculum, offering a structured and critical approach to historical inquiry, enriched by the academic excellence of one of France’s leading institutions of higher education.

Below are some examples of history courses available in the first two years of the Sciences Po Bachelor of Arts programme:

• A Political History of the 19th Century
• Practising History Inside and Outside the Classroom
• History of Political Thought: From Socrates to Arendt
• Understanding the European Union: Historical Foundations and Contemporary Issues
• Memory in Graphic Novels: Historical Narratives in Comics
• Environmental History
• Press and History: Writing a News Article
• Introduction to Historical Research: Oral History Practices and Methods
• The History Workshop: “War, Gender, and Colonisation (19th-20th Century)”
• Economic History of Human-Nature Relations
• History of Educational Policies Since the French Revolution
• The Middle East at the Dawn of History
• History of Contemporary Worlds (20th-21st Century): Rights, Security, and Insecurity
• History and Law of States in Europe
• Exploring French History Through Film (17th-21st Century)
• Introduction to Intellectual History
• The Political History of Contemporary Turkey Since the Ottoman Empire
• Ecology and Working-Class Communities in the 19th and 20th Centuries
• Democracy in 20th-Century Europe
• The Political Role of History
• Sacred Earth: A History of Indigenous Resistance and Environmental Justice

Learn more about history as a core discipline in the Sciences Po Bachelor of Arts programme, offered in Paris and across various campuses in France.

Delving into historical studies in the Sciences Po Bachelor of Arts programme

During the second and third years of the Undergraduate programme, students have the opportunity to deepen their historical studies through interdisciplinary majors. BAs a leading French institution headquartered in Paris, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in the Humanities and Social Sciences offers several pathways that integrate historical perspectives, including Economies and Societies, Political Humanities, and Politics and Government. Each of these majors incorporates history to support a broader understanding of contemporary issues.

In the Economies and Societies major, history is studied through the lens of economic and social transformations. Students explore the relationship between historical events and economic developments, helping them to analyse present-day economic dynamics within a historical framework.

The Political Humanities major examines history in relation to political thought and contemporary debates. Through the study of historical texts and intellectual traditions, students develop a critical perspective on political ideas and their evolution over time, enhancing their ability to engage with current political challenges.

The Politics and Government major uses historical analysis to contextualise political institutions and governance. By studying the evolution of political systems, students gain insight into contemporary political structures along with processes at both national and international levels.

Learn more about the majors in the Sciences Po Bachelor of Arts programme, taught in France, with Paris as its main academic campus.

Studying history through minors in the Sciences Po Bachelor’s Degree programme

As a core discipline of the post-secondary Bachelor’s programme, history at Sciences Po extends beyond national borders, offering students an international and comparative perspective on past sociopolitical events and developments. Located in France, with its main institution in Paris, Sciences Po allows students to deepen their historical understanding through regional minors available across its French campuses.

Regional minors are an integral part of the Bachelor of Arts programme, allowing students to explore history within specific geographical contexts. These minors enable students to analyse historical events, social movements, and political issues that have shaped different regions over time.

The choice of regional minor is determined by the student’s selected campus:

• Dijon Campus: European Union, Central and Eastern Europe
• Le Havre Campus: Asia-Pacific
• Menton Campus: Mediterranean and Middle East
• Nancy Campus: European Union, Franco-German partnership
• Poitiers Campus: Latin America and the Caribbean
• Reims Campus: North America and Africa

Below are some examples of history courses offered within the regional minors at Sciences Po’s campuses:

• 19th-Century History
• 20th-Century History
• The Long 19th Century in Europe (1780–1914): Revolutions, Modernity, and the Rise to Power
• Winter School on the History of Communism
• Environmental History
• A 19th-Century European History: Perspectives from Asia
• Empire, Borders, and Nations in Russian and Soviet History
• Introduction to the History of Law
• Contemporary Worlds in the 20th and 21st Centuries: Rights, Security, and Insecurity
• Narratives, Representations, and Uses of the Past
• Political Rites and Rituals
• Agriculture and Food: Historical Approaches to Political Issues
• Historical Memories in Literature and Visual Arts
• France and the Caribbean (18th–20th Centuries): A Transatlantic History
• What is Global History? An Introduction to Modern World History
• Gender and the State in Modern European History (1780–1970)
• Contemporary Worlds in the 20th and 21st Centuries: Equality, Hierarchies, and Emancipations

Learn more about regional minors in the Bachelor’s programme at Sciences Po, a French top university with multiple campuses across the country.

Opportunities for international academic exchange in history within the Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programme at Sciences Po

The third year (L3) of the Bachelor’s programme at Sciences Po presents an opportunity for students to focus on history through an academic exchange with partner institutions around the world. This exchange, which is a key aspect of Sciences Po’s aim to offer a global education while studying in France, enables students to expand their historical understanding through diverse cultural and geographical perspectives.

Partner institutions, located in a range of historically and culturally distinct regions, provide an excellent setting for students to deepen their study of history within a broader, international context.

During their year abroad, students can engage in a variety of specialised history courses, allowing them to explore specific historical periods, social movements, and significant events that have shaped the contemporary world. Through stimulating academic discussions and research seminars, students are encouraged to refine their critical and analytical thinking while advancing their historical knowledge.

Beyond academics, Bachelor’s students have the chance to immerse themselves in the culture and society of their host country. Visits to historical sites, interactions with local historians, and exposure to enriching cultural experiences complement their academic pursuits, providing a more comprehensive view of history and civilisation.

Learn more about the third year abroad in the Bachelor’s programme at Sciences Po located in the heart of France.

The Civic Learning Programme of Sciences Po’s Undergraduate Programme in France: developing historical skills

As part of the Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programme, the Civic Learning Programme plays a key role in the curriculum, providing students with an opportunity to apply their understanding of history to serve the public good. Offered across multiple campuses in France, Sciences Po’s programme encourages students to reflect on contemporary social, political, and ethical issues through meaningful projects that contribute to society.

The connection between history and Civic Learning Programme lies in students’ ability to use historical lessons to understand and address current challenges. With a solid grounding in historical events and their consequences, students are encouraged to approach present-day issues with informed and thoughtful perspectives.

The Civic Learning Programme allows students to take part in projects related to history and collective memory. These initiatives may involve efforts such as the preservation of cultural heritage, raising awareness of key historical events, or helping to share historical knowledge with a wider audience. Engaging in such projects in a French and international setting provides students with valuable experience that complements their academic journey.

Through their involvement in civic projects, students not only develop their sense of responsibility and engagement but also strengthen their research, critical thinking, and communication skills. By contributing to the preservation of collective memory, they take part in discussions on democratic and humanistic values. These hands-on experiences also enrich their Bachelor’s studies, allowing them to connect historical understanding with practical applications.

The Civic Learning Programme within Sciences Po’s Undergraduate Bachelor’s programme reflects the idea that education can play a role in social change, with history offering insights that inspire civic action. With its diverse student community and international outlook, Sciences Po provides an environment where students can explore the links between history and civic engagement, applying their knowledge to real-world challenges.

Examples of organisations where students have gained practical experience in history-related projects as part of the Civic Learning Programme include:

• Convoi 77: Teaching the history of the Holocaust in innovative ways.
• Foundation for the Memory of Slavery: Educating about slavery and its representation in society.
• Charles de Gaulle Foundation: Organising workshops and educational tours focused on the French Resistance.
• European Heritage Volunteers: Protecting cultural heritage across Europe.
• Tremplin - Homme et Patrimoine Association: Supporting social reintegration through the restoration and promotion of heritage sites.

Learn more about the Civic Learning Programme and its focus on history within the Undergraduate programme at Sciences Po in Paris..

Academic specialisation in history through Sciences Po's Master's programmes in Paris

After completing their Bachelor’s degree programme at Sciences Po, based in France, many students choose to further their academic journey by enrolling in one of the Master’s programmes offered by the institution. These graduate programmes provide students with the opportunity to specialise in history within particular fields. By doing so, they are able to deepen their understanding of historical events and trends, while also focusing on specific academic or professional areas, such as research, education, or other sectors.

Through a multidisciplinary approach, Sciences Po’s Master’s programmes offer students the chance to study historical subjects in conjunction with related disciplines, including political science, sociology, and international relations. This integrated approach enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding of historical dynamics and their relevance to current global issues.

Graduates of these Master’s programmes acquire advanced research, critical thinking, and analytical skills, which prepare them for a variety of professional opportunities. These may include academic research, public administration, cultural heritage management, journalism, and other fields.