The weather is cooling down, the leaves are turning yellow and papering the streets, and lecture halls are reopening their doors: it's time for the 2025/2026 academic year.

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. 2025 is marked by the launch of the Paris Climate School, Sciences Po's eighth master's school, which will welcome its first intake of students in a year's time.

Three replays of the graduate schools' inaugural lectures are now available.

Joseph E. Stiglitz at the School of Research

The School of Research was honoured to welcome Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz, an iconic figure in contemporary economics and winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics, in the presence of Dina Waked, Dean of the School of Research, Heads of studies and the team of the School of Research.

Philippe Aghion at the School of Management and Impact

To open the academic year, students at Sciences Po’s School of Management and Impact attended the inaugural lecture of Philippe Aghion, economist and Professor at the Collège de France, on a central theme: the power of creative destruction.

Building on Joseph Schumpeter’s theory, Aghion demonstrates how innovation continually replaces outdated technologies and business models, driving growth while also generating economic and social tensions.

Pierre Moscovici at the School of Public Affairs

"Europe must learn to speak the language of power." This was the message delivered by Pierre Moscovici, First President of the French Cour des comptes and former European Commissioner, to the new intake of students at the School of Public Affairs.

Back to school on Sciences Po's seven campuses

Every year, first-year bachelor's students join one of the campuses of Sciences Po's Undergraduate College in Dijon, Le Havre, Menton, Nancy, Paris, Poitiers, and Reims. What's on the agenda? An intense day of meeting the students of their class, second-year students, teaching and administrative staff, complemented by shows, concerts, and other activities organised by student associations and student services.

Watch video replays of two of the inaugural lectures from Sciences Po campuses.

Kamissa Camara, guest speaker at the Reims campus

The Former Foreign Minister of Mali and Professor of Diplomacy Kamissa Camara was invited by the Reims Campus. Through her lecture titled “Thinking critically in a world of power and politics” she invited the new cohort to use Sciences Po as a training ground to read the world, question power, and treat identities as thinking tools.

Philippe Sands, guest speaker at the Paris campus

Philippe Sands, an author and lawyer specialising in international law, addressed the new intake of students at the Paris Campus. Combining personal accounts, family history and reflections on major contemporary issues, he reminded his audience that “international law may well be our only global value system”.

Hang on: upcoming events

Throughout September, Sciences Po's master's schools and campuses are officially launching their new academic year, including through exciting inaugural lectures. For two campuses of the Undergraduate College, the start of the year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Nancy campus and the 20th anniversary of the Menton campus.

Browse our events guide to stay informed about upcoming events.

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:

• 11 September: dancer and choreographer Maud Le Pladec, new holder of the Chair of Performing Arts,
• 18 September: filmmaker Alice Diop, new holder of the Chair of Cinema,
• 23 September: novelist Carole Martinez, new holder of the Chair of Creative Writing.

26 September to 1st October: 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 26 September on the Paris campus from 10am to 6pm (1 place Saint-Thomas) and online on 30 September or 1 October.