Academics

GW students participating in the exchange program with Sciences Po are integrated into the regular undergraduate program and are full and active members of the Sciences Po community. Depending on their academic interests, students may chose to earn a concentration in an academic discipline as part of their program of study. Concentrations include economics and business, European studies, French studies, history, international relations, law, political science, and sustainable development.

Students in the Sciences Po International Programme normally have 12 hours of class per week for a total course load of 30 Sciences Po (ECTS) credits for the semester, equivalent to 15 GW credits per semester. The course load is composed of a mixture of the following class types offered at Sciences Po. Each class type is worth 5 ECTS credits.

Lecture Classes in French (Cours magistraux): Lectures are one to two hours long and take place once a week. Students are provided with a program of study and bibliography at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation is usually by written exam at the end of the semester.

Tutorial groups conducted in French (Conférences de méthode): These are interactive classes of around 20 students, which meet for two hours a week, and are related to a French lecture course. These classes concentrate on teaching students the Sciences Po method: how to focus on what is essential, to organize and prioritize arguments, and to write and verbalize ideas clearly and simply. Active participation is expected with an emphasis on oral expression. Evaluation is by continuous assessment.

Electives taught in English or French (Enseignements electifs): Electives are organized in the same way as the tutorial groups, but are not related to a lecture course. Evaluation is by continuous assessment.

Lecture Classes in English: These classes are two hours a week and have a maximum enrollment of 60-70 students. These courses are more interactive than the traditional lectures in French, with a half-hour of each session reserved for questions and discussion. These courses also place a strong emphasis on written expression.

Students may select lectures and electives taught in French and/or English. Sciences Po also offers instruction in other foreign languages as elective courses.

GW students enroll in the following program of study for the semester:

a required course in French language for all non-fluent students (5 ECTS credits)
a combination of lectures plus tutorials and electives (25 ECTS credits)

Students who study at Sciences Po for the year may be awarded an International Program Diploma by Sciences Po if they complete the full International Programme and receive passing marks in a minimum of 45 ECTS credits. Those students who earn a diploma and pass 55 of the 60 ECTS credits for a yearlong program may be considered for acceptance into a master's program at Sciences Po upon completion of their undergraduate degree at GW.

In addition to studying at the main Sciences Po campus in Paris, GW students may enroll in one of Science Po's four decentralized campuses. Each campus has its own distinct cultural focus:

Dijon: The program in Dijon is focused on Eastern Europe. Courses are taught in English and French, and students must study at least one Slavic language. The student body is composed primarily of students from France, Russia, and a variety of nations in Eastern and Central Europe.

Nancy: The program in Nancy is focused on Germany. The campus is trilingual (French, German, and English) and students come primarily from French and German speaking countries.

Poitiers: The program in Poitiers is focused on Iberian-American studies. Courses are offered in French, Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Students at the Poitiers campus come primarily from France, Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.

Menton: The program in Menton is focused on Middle Eastern/Mediterranean studies. Students in the program are primarily from France and Middle East, Mediterranean and Gulf countries. Courses are taught in French, Arabic, and English.

For more information, visit the Sciences Po website.