General objectives

The governance of the energy transition in the context of global warming, universal access to modern energy, and security of supply are key challenges for each country and the international community. The energy transition has economic, political, technological, legal, distributional and international relations dimensions.

The Master in International Energy Transitions at PSIA responds rigorously to a growing worldwide demand in energy expertise, with a cutting-edge curriculum, internship program, and active series of public lectures and events with industry and government leaders.

Main orientations and specific features

The Master in International Energy Transitions provides students with a holistic understanding of energy issues, across disciplines and across all energy sources. We offer a rich menu of more than 20 energy courses – there is no equivalent in any other academic program. 

The programme emphasizes students’ active participation and networking. Many of the faculty come from the main European energy think tanks, including the International Energy Agency  and from the international energy industry or the consultancies. Numerous events featuring distinguished speakers are organized by faculty or the Sciences Po Energy Association (an independent student initiative). Each year the Master hosts the Paris launch of International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook.

The Master is closely connected to the CARE Program, an innovative, state-of-the-art, carbon neutral program led by PSIA in partnership with the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia and the University of Guelph, with the support of the DRG Foundation, which aims to contribute to shaping a new generation of climate-conscious global leaders and citizens.

Canadian students accepted in the Master are eligible for the CARE Scholarships.

Program structure

In accordance with PSIA’s Pedagogical Committee approved degree structure, students starting the International Energy program in September 2020 will follow the program structure below. 

Further details regarding PSIA’s general program structure.

Download the Program structure (PDF, 81 Kb).

The degree structure for students in the following programs can be found at: Dual Degree program, Joint Master program and One-Year Master program.

Programs

• Fall courses - Semester 1
• Fall courses - Semester 3
• Spring courses - Semester 2
• Spring courses - Semester 4

Career Opportunities

Graduates enter the global job market with a strong international outlook and an incomparable understanding of complex interrelations between different issues, actors and technological solutions. Our professional faculty assists students with finding interesting internships in the third semester and, where possible in their job search.

Governments, financial institutions, policy-oriented think tanks and the media seek professionals with sufficient technical knowledge of energy issues. Energy companies, increasingly numerous and diverse, need public policy experts to advise on political and social acceptability of technological solutions and business strategies. Career openings include private enterprises, research institutes, international organizations, banks, consulting and multinational firms.

Scientific Advisor

Dr Michal Meidan

Dr Michal Meidan is the Scientific Advisor for the Master in International Energy Transitions at the Paris School of International Affairs starting from Fall 2025.

Dr Michal Meidan is Head of China Energy Research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. Before joining OIES in July 2019, she headed cross-commodity China research at Energy Aspects. Prior to that, she headed China Matters, an independent research consultancy providing analysis on the politics of energy in China. Michal also held senior analytical roles at Eurasia Group in New York and London, and at Asia Centre-Sciences Po, Paris. She taught undergraduate courses on China’s political economy at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and has authored numerous academic articles. Michal also regularly provides comments for a wide variety of media outlets and is featured as a speaker at industry conferences.

Michal holds a PhD in Political Science and East Asian studies from Sciences Po, Paris. She is fluent in Mandarin and French.

Catharina Sikow-Magny

Catharina Sikow-Magny is the Scientific Advisor for the Master in International Energy Transitions at the Paris School of International Affairs starting from Fall 2025.

Before that Catharina worked at the European Commission where she held various positions since 1997, including Director responsible for Green Transition and Energy System Integration, Head of Unit in charge of Consumers, Local Initiatives, Just Transition and Head of Unit responsible for Networks and Regional Initiatives at the Directorate General for Energy. She has also worked on international transport, trans-European network policy and financing, internalisation of external costs, and strategic policy research.

Before joining the Commission, Catharina was a team leader and chief economist in the private sector in Finland. She has also worked for the United Nations Development Programme in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

She holds a Master of Economics degree from the Aalto University, Finland.

Testimonials from graduates

• Alessa, Manager in sustainability solutions, ENGIE Impact
• Mariia, Gas Analyst at the Upstream Gas Infrastructure Department at the French Regulatory Commission (CRE)
• Kanak, Junior Officer in the Sustainable Energy teal, ICLEI World Secretariat in Bonn 
• Ronald, Research Engineer, EDF
• Gawie, Manager for strategy, innovation and digitalization, Nambia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB)
• Francis, Sustainable Finance Analyst, BNP Paribas
• Siavash, Commercial Director, Enertime
• Jacopo, Market Reporter in the European natural gas team, Argus Media

Discover PSIA 2023 Summa Cum Laude

• Katharina Franke

CONTACTS

Scientific Advisors: Dr Michal Meidan; Catharina Sikow-Magny

Academic Advisor: Cecilia Baeza

Academic Assistant: Tiziana Zanirato

Secretariat open:

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-12:45 and 2:15-4:45
• Wednesday and Friday 9:30-12:45

Key information about the application process (requirements, documents, deadlines and calendar, etc) can only be found on Sciences Po’s Admissions website.