Master programs

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Curriculum Overview

Our world is complex. Change continues to take place at pace. PSIA is committed to adapting to this environment. We seek to train our students, the leaders of the future, about how to understand, navigate and engage with these complexities and changes.

The PSIA degree structure is organized as follow:

• Course offered in each Master specialisation become progressively more advanced courses semester by semester;
• Students are expected to devote five hours to independent, in-depth study in their chosen courses for each hour they will spend in the classroom. This is the formula to ensure mastery of their degree specialisation and chosen concentrations;

Please find below the general degree structure for a two-year program at PSIA:

Download the program structure (PDF, 64 ko)

Please find below the degree structure for specific programs at PSIA:

• One-Year Master program
• Joint Master program
• Dual Degree program
• Research Track in Political Science
• Apprenticeship program

Courses

Please find the full list of courses offered at PSIA in 2022-2023. Courses to be offered in 2022-2023 can be found on the webpage for each Master Program.

Core Master Curriculum

Through its choice of Master degrees and concentration programs, PSIA offers a comprehensive yet diversified academic program of the highest international caliber. The first semester offers a selection of fundamental courses that all students take within the Master while the second and fourth semesters offer a large selection of courses in various sub-fields within the Master.

Concentrations

PSIA offers students the opportunity to complement their Master specialisation with the choice of at least one Regional or Thematic Concentration.

All PSIA students must select one Concentration. 

Students pursuing a two-year program exclusively at PSIA must also choose to :

1. Select a second Concentration, or
2. Select the ‘enhanced’ Master option which allows them to take additional courses from those offered within their Master specialisation, or apply, if eligible, to take a Law School clinic. 

Common core curriculum

Please find more information about Sciences Po Common Core Curriculum.

Language

While English is the only language required to follow coursework at PSIA and the common language shared by all students, a third of courses are offered in French. PSIA offers intensive French language pre-sessional courses for students with limited proficiency. All students have the option to study one of 17 languages offered at Sciences Po according to their specific academic and professional objectives.

Special Features

Special features consist of optional courses complementary to the standard PSIA curriculum. PSIA students may enroll in one special feature, or optional course, per semester. 

Law School Clinics

The Law School Clinics are selective one year long courses that provide valuable practical experience in the chosen field of study. They are offered to Sciences Po students, including certain PSIA Masters (Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, International Public Management, Environmental Policy) and concentrations (Migration). Places within the Clinics are limited and therefore participation is based on a competitive selection process. 

Third Semester Opportunities

The third semester at PSIA is entirely dedicated to professional development. PSIA students are offered three choices, depending on their career objectives:

• Internship
• Master Thesis (conditional to authorization by academic advisor)
• Study abroad (conditional to authorization by academic advisor)

Some funding opportunities are available to assist students who will complete their 3rd semester outside of France. Find out more about Mobility Grants.

Grand Oral

The Grand Oral is a degree requirement for all 2-year Master students at Sciences Po.  For PSIA students, the Grand Oral will be based on their third semester experience.

Degree Requirements for PSIA Students

Please click to see the degree requirements for PSIA students starting programs in September 2023.

Preparation for the French administration exams

All students registered in their 2nd year of a Master program at Sciences Po are technically eligible to take the "Prépa-concours" track parallel to their Master's studies in order to prepare for the competitive French administration exams. Find out more about the Preparation for French administration exams (FR).