Location

The University of Notre Dame sends two students per year to the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, or Sciences Po, as it is more commonly known. Located in the heart of Paris in the 7th arrondissment, on a small street off of the Bd. St. Germain, Sciences Po is one of the most prestigous institutions in France, training the business and political elite of the country. The 7th arrondissment is one of the most elegant residential districts in Paris, and home to the Eiffel Tower, the National Assembly and the Musee d'Orsay. Nearby Bd. St. Germain is famous for its cafes, gathering places for French intellectuals and artists.

Programs of Studies

Students from Notre Dame will be integrated into the "International Program of Political and Social Sciences." In this program students from around the world are brought together to study French and European History, French Politics, International Relations, the European Union, Economics and Sociology. They will also take French language courses. French is the language of instruction and of communication among the students. Notre Dame students are advised to spend a year in the program. Students may, however, elect to participate in the second semester only. Successful completion of the year will result in a diploma from Sciences Po which is recognized in France as well as other European countries as a certificate of a year of intense, rigorous study in the social sciences, and which may lead to internships in Europe. Click here for links to course listings at Sciences Po.

Students will choose three courses per semester in political and social sciences, and enroll in a French course as well. In so doing, they will earn 15 Notre Dame credits per semester, and grades earned at Sciences Po will be translated into American grades and computed into the Notre Dame GPA. While students will make progress towards the Notre Dame degree, they should see this year or semester in broader terms. It is an enrichment of the college experience, a period of intellectual challenge, but one of immense rewards as well, both in terms of academic growth and in terms of a broader perspective that comes from meeting and studying with students from around the world.

Eligibility for the Program

The program at Sciences Po is directed towards juniors who have a high level of French, a strong GPA and a major in economics, government, history, sociology or another social science. Students should apply as sophomores to attend the program during their junior year. The application deadline is November 15.

Additional Information

There is much more we can tell you — about this location, vibrant religious, cultural and recreational life of this community ... about the student housing, transportation, health care and much, much more. It is, after all, the details that make this program so appealing. Interested? Just click here for more information.