This summer, the Sciences Po Summer School opened its doors for its 14th edition on our Paris campus! This year, we welcomed over 700 students from around the world, for two sessions of the University Programme in June and July, a Custom Programme in June, and the Pre-College programmes, which welcomed international high school students for an on-campus session as well as two separate online sessions.

The University Programme

The University Programme began on June 2nd and ran until July 25th. 445 participants studied an intensive course for 4 or 8 weeks, in either social sciences or French as a foreign language. Courses in social sciences were offered by faculty members of Sciences Po, researchers and experts in their respective fields. The topics ranged from global challenges on inequality, diplomacy, digital challenges to politicisation, economics, and major international challenges.

42 nationalities were represented in the June cohort, and 35 students were supported by programmes with partner organisations, namely Pour le Brésil, the Mastercard Foundation, and the Professional Certificate for Young Refugees. In the July session, 46 nationalities were represented in the student cohort, and we welcomed students from various partner universities such as Georgetown University and the University of International Studies in Shanghai. 

A Custom Programme

On June 10th, we welcomed 200 students from ESADE Business and Law School for our annual custom programme. These students, with an average age of 19, spent 2 weeks on our Paris campus studying Public International Law and European law, with members of Sciences Po’s faculty and a team of young researchers specialized in these areas. 

The Pre-College Programmes

The Pre-College Programmes kicked off in June  with two online programmes centred on the risks and regulations of artificial intelligence and new technologies, and the world climate crisis. These innovative programmes welcomed high school students from around the world, with an average age of 16, to explore global issues, diplomacy and multilateralism The theoretical teachings within the framework of these programmes were supplemented by simulation sessions which allow students to develop their analytical comprehension of the issues, while also gaining practical negotiation skills.

Finally, the on-campus Pre-College Programme took place from July 5th to July 22nd and welcomed 110 international high school students to experience university life, both inside and outside the classroom. This programme is unique in France, but also in Europe, in both its ambition and scale! Participants were able to discover Sciences Po’s key disciplines and delve further into their studies with the help of experts in various fields of the social sciences.  
The academic programme consisted of master classes, small-group tutorials, and an additional elective course. The master classes, led by Sciences Po faculty members, focused on key global challenges, such as human security, the climate crisis, or the European Union. The tutorial sessions allowed students to discuss in further detail the notions and themes addressed, giving them a dynamic environment in which to share ideas and opinions. Finally, the elective course gave students an opportunity to go even further in a particular field of study, such as international law, foreign policy, or democracy in Europe.

Aside from their studies, the students were surrounded by an incredible team of 13 counselors, who ensured their safety throughout the programme, but also provided a fun-packed extracurricular schedule! Students discovered the city of Reims, celebrated the French national holiday, and spent a weekend discovering Paris and its endless charm!

Back to school!

After a short summer break, The Sciences Po Summer School has hit the ground running for the start of the new academic year, by welcoming 40 students from Northwestern University, a long-standing partner of Sciences Po.

These students will spend this first semester studying on our Paris campus, learning about Public Health in Europe or European Union studies. A semester-long exchange has the advantage of taking time to settle in, gather bearings, and make meaningful connections with Sciences Po’s student body, who have also embarked on this new and exciting chapter!