Back to the Graduate Schools 2026: Watch the Videos

The undergraduate campuses are not the only ones welcoming new students; amphitheatres are also reopening their doors to the students at our graduate schools. Among the new developments for the start of the 2026 academic year is the first intake at our new – and eighth – graduate school: the Paris Climate School.

The inaugural lectures of the graduate schools

At the beginning of a new academic year, each Sciences Po graduate school welcomes a guest of honour who gives an inspiring speech to students, to guide them throughout their journey.

Elian Peltier at the Journalism School

Sciences Po's Journalism School is honoured to welcome Elian Peltier, an alumnus and the New York Times’ bureau chief for Pakistan and Afghanistan, based in Islamabad, to deliver its inaugural lecture for the start of the 2026 academic year. Drawing on his experience as a correspondent since 2017 – in France, London (during the COVID-19 pandemic), Dakar (at the West Africa bureau) and then Islamabad – he will tackle the theme “Stepping Outside: International Reporting in 2026”.

A video recording of the lecture and an interview with Elian Peltier will be available shortly.

Nicolas Guillou at the Law School

On the occasion of the 2026 academic year opening ceremony, the Law School had the honour of welcoming Nicolas Guillou, Judge at the International Criminal Court. The French judge invited the law students to reflect on a crucial question: is there such a thing as an international rule of law?

Whilst awaiting the video replay, read his full inaugural lecture on Conférence website (in French).

Mia Mottley, Barbados PM, at the launch of the Paris Climate School

“Leaders are meant to lead.” That was the message at the heart of the inaugural lecture delivered by Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, to the first cohort of Sciences Po’s Paris Climate School. Throughout her address, she highlighted several major challenges that the next generation of climate leaders will have to confront.

“History doesn’t move in a straight line. It is impossible until it happens.”

Three Deans for the 15th Anniversary of the Paris School of International Affairs

To mark its 15th anniversary, the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) set a discussion between Arancha González, Dean of the School since 2022, Enrico Letta, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs and PSIA Dean from 2015 to 2021, and Ghassan Salamé, Minister of Culture of Lebanon and PSIA Dean from 2010 to 2015. The discussion was moderated by Sylvie Kauffmann, Editorial Director at French newspaper Le Monde. The three PSIA deans discussed the changes that the School – and the world – have undergone over the past fifteen years, as well as the future of international affairs.

Iris Knobloch at the School of Management

To open the academic year, students at Sciences Po’s School of Management attended the inaugural lecture of Iris Knobloch, President of the Cannes Film Festival, the first woman to hold this position.

Her message was clear: careers are not always built through perfectly planned paths. Curiosity, courage, strong relationships and the ability to remain open to unexpected opportunities can shape the most meaningful turning points.

“Sometimes you just have to close your eyes, jump and trust yourself.”

Emmanuel Grégoire at the School of Public Affairs

"Commit yourself fully." This was the message delivered by Emmanuel Grégoire, Mayor of Paris, to the new intake of students at the School of Public Affairs.

Four Researchers in the Spotlight at the School of Research

The School of Research chose to shed a light on four researchers that were recipients of the prestigious grants from the European Research Council (ERC Grants):

• Diane Bolet, Assistant Professor at the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE), and her project “Lost in the Green Transition: Local Collective Greenloss Identity, Anti-Climate Attitudes and Radical Right Support”;
• Julia Cagé, Professor in the Department of Economics, and her project “Elections, Ecological Inference and Social Capital in Historical Perspective";
• Axelle Ferrière, CNRS research fellow and member of the Department of Economics, and her project “Rethinking the Efficiency-Redistribution Trade-Off: Taxes, Transfers, and Household Inequality";
• Mirna Safi, Professor at the Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS), and her project “The Discrimination-Inequality Circle: Bridging Unequal Treatment and Unequal Outcomes across Countries, Regions and Workplaces".

Cécile Duflot at the Urban School

To mark the start of the academic year, the Urban School had the honour of welcoming Cécile Duflot, Executive Director of Oxfam France and former Minister of Territorial Equality and Housing.

Hang on: upcoming events

Browse our events guide to stay informed about upcoming events.

25, 29, 30 September: Careers Fair

This fair is a unique opportunity for 1,000 of our students and young graduates which possess a wide range of professional expertises to meet over a hundred employers in their business fields and sectors (consulting, banking, finance, energy, environment, international relations, impact, luxury, retailing, marketing, communication, media, journalism, real estate, housing, urban planning, public affairs, defense & security, law...).

See you on 25 September on the Paris campus from 10am to 6pm (1 place Saint-Thomas) and online on 29 and 30 September.

The Institute for the Arts and Creation is back in action

The three artistic chairs at the Institute for the Arts and Creation are changing hands, a perfect opportunity to meet:

• 17 September: novelist Tanguy Viel, new holder of the Chair of Creative Writing;
• 14 September: filmmaker Christophe Honoré, new holder of the Chair of Cinema;
• 1 October: pianist, composer, producer, and radio host Laurent de Wilde, new holder of the Chair of Performing Arts.