Sciences Po
speciality: Politics

The teaching in my Master’s program is miles ahead of what I experienced in my undergrad outside of Paris. I’m really happy with my current program, but the other was a letdown. There’s a real gap in quality between them

Studying Political Science at Sciences Po has been a truly eye-opening experience. I really love the experience .The course pushes you to think critically about global issues, power, and policy while encouraging debate and independent thought. Classes are dynamic and discussion-based, often connecting theory directly to current world events. The professors and guest speakers bring real insight from politics, diplomacy, and journalism. It’s challenging, yes, but in the best way possible. Sciences Po doesn’t just teach politics; it teaches you how to engage with the world thoughtfully and confidently. I really love it here.

There is a big gap between the level of teaching at bachelor’s programmes outside of Paris and the teaching at the master’s programmes. I am very satisfied with the latter – not so much with the former

If you would have asked me from two years ago if I would be a second year student at Sciences Po Reims, I would have laughed in your face. Sciences Po was not really part of the plan. However, now, with my time at this university slowing coming to an end, I can say with no regrets, that I am glad I made this choice.
To be honest, first year was a shock. Having gone to a French high school, people spoke about Sciences Po as if it was their God, their religion. Safe to say my expectations were through the roof…and at first, they were not met. This is partly my fault, being an eighteen year old girl whose only expectation of university was like you see in all those American movies, or how my friends at uni in the UK described it. If you are looking for the true British uni experience – going out almost every night, a massive student residence, people very similar to you, not much work in your first year – then Sciences Po is not for you. For a couple months, I thought Sciences Po was not for me. My sky high expectations had not been met. However, it was when I settled in, and change my perspective, that this educational and life experience became one that I grew to love. At Sciences Po, in a classroom of 25 students, you are guaranteed to cover at least 10 different nationalities. We are all so different from one another, the paths that brought us to this school so varied, and yet, we all fit in. We all get each other. Being such a small student body (less than 2000), we quickly become familiar with one another – you will almost always see a friendly face in every hallway you walk.
On an academic level, the courses are good, sometimes not great, but I also think the level of effort and commitment that you bring to each course is a determining factor on your likelihood of enjoying what you’re studying. If you sit back, eyes wandering the class room, not having done your readings, you are not going to enjoy class. You are not going to feel like you are learning. Some teaching assistants will try to pull you from this daze, but others will let you float because quite frankly, that is not what they are getting paid to do. University is about teaching yourself to learn, without having someone holding your hand along the way.
Overall, Sciences Po does deserve the reputation it has, both for its international community, and the quality of education available, if one desires to access and invest in it.

Sciences Po, is a very prestigious institution delivers a top-notch education with exceptional academic excellence and a focus on social sciences. The faculty is made up of accomplished scholars who provide us with a the skill sets to prosper. The campus is historic and has excellent modern facilities. The student life at Sciences Po is vibrant, with numerous clubs and activities bringing the sense of community. The diverse student body contributes to a global perspective. I recommend sciences Po

Sciences Po emphases on interdisciplinary education and this is what I enjoyed about the institution. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of political science, international relations, law, economics, and other social sciences. This multidisciplinary approach equipped me with a well-rounded perspective, thus preparing me to address complex global challenges.

Be prepared to be astonished and disappointed by the academics.
I’m in second year Europe Africa program. I would say that the french learning style is definitely not for the internationals. Most of the time we don’t learn anything. Teachers almost never prepare for classes. For the lecture, we take notes, we memorize 100 pages of notes for each class, and then we take the final exam. Seminar wise, they let us do 1 hour of presentation (1 group per session) and then free discussion for the rest of the class. Teachers don’t explain any concept. It’s just students sharing there own idea. Honestly have no idea why the seminars even exist.
Really disappointed overall. Doesn’t live up to its name of an “elite uni”.
plus the french administration is terrible, they doesn’t care about you, don’t ever think about switching classes, they refuse for no reason. I’ve heard multiple storys of them mocking students in front of their face when students come up to them for a question.

whether you like your time at SciencesPo or not will most likely correlate with how much your enjoy the “french experience”.

afterall, SciencesPo is just the best of the best — or the worst of the worst, depending on who you ask.

– if you are at a regional campus, be prepared for the complete and utter disregard of the central admin. we faced issues of sexual, racial and gender based violence, all of which were brushed under the rug.
– the french elite make up a large majority of the domestic students, and they tend look down on international students, despite us categorically doing much better than them.
– the regional campus fairytale they sell is a lie.

that being said:
– while the classes may be tedious at times, but they are interesting — and they are very relevant to our fields of study.
– it is not always that you will find yourself surrounded with students of such caliber within your field.

I am a second year student of SciencesPo, Campus de Menton,English Track. Unfortunately, after being at SciencesPo for 2 years, I believe I have acquired enough experience to state that the university, or at least the Campus of Menton, falls short of its fame as a prestigious university of the elites.
The few positives of the university are the high level of the student body, the wide range of extracurricular and the geographical position of the Campus.
Apart from those, the academic staff is not competent enough (all infos are given 3 hours before the deadline, classes are constatly rescheduled and whole courses are changed from one day to the other). Furthemore, even thought there are few competent teachers, most of them do not speak fluent English and the quality of teaching assistants is poor.
Overall, very disappointing.

Where can I start – the Menton Campus of Sciences Po certainly offers a university experience like no other. Surrounded by students from Turkey to Tunisia, and Uganda to Uzbekistan, I am immersed in an environment that constantly challenges and excites me. Sciences Po is exactly where I need to be to continue growing into the open-minded, discerning woman I desire to be.

The Sciences Po experience can be described as nothing other than diverse. Professors’ backgrounds range from Italy to London, to Paris, and thus teaching styles and priorities are different between them. However, I’ve learned so very much from world-class professors who are genuinely passionate about the topics they’re teaching. One downfall of this diversity, though, is the lack go predictability of the grades given by teachers. As each comes from a different grading system and background, they all expect different things from the students’ work, and often don’t communicate or coordinate these expectations between themselves or with their classes.

As the Menton campus is small, with only 75 students, social life is enrapturing. As we all live in a tiny town, if you enjoy potluck dinners and wine nights with close friends, and essentially live on top of one another in tiny apartments, this is the life for you. Students come from every country (in the English International Track, ironically from pretty much all nations except France). The people make the uni – this is indisputable.

As a young girl from an isolated Aussie city, being able to meet people from diverse cultures, yet all driven by the same passion and zest for politics and international studies has been an eye-opening opportunity. I’ve learnt just about life generally from my peers as I have my professors, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Accommodation options remain somewhat limited, with single-sex boys or girls residences at either Villa Jasmin or Menton Plus, and thus many students elect to live in shared apartments. Having lived in the Villa, I can safely say that although loved the people I was living with, the experience was characterised by many obscure rules and I am excited to be moving into an apartment with friends next year. The food here is expensive but far cheaper than in other European cities. Italy is far cheaper for grocery shopping, and thus we often catch a train to capitalise on the cheaper prices in Ventimiglia.

overall, I have learned and grown so much from this university experience. I would not change a thing (not even the poor university administration coordination) and am excited to be returning soon for the new academic year.