Sciences Po

Sciences Po was created because its founder, Emile Boutmy, wanted to build from scratch an institution of higher education that the elites of the time lacked. One hundred and fifty years later, Sciences Po has become an international research university with 14,000 students. But the foundation of our education remains driven by the same vocation: to better understand the world in order to change it for the better. Sciences Po stands out for combining approaches and confronting different worldviews. This tradition of diversity and multidisciplinary approach makes Sciences Po an active participant in public debate, a forum where thought meets action. Sciences Po's overarching mission is to educate future leaders in the public and private sectors. Curious and open-minded, Sciences Po graduates, regardless of their focus and trajectory, all share the ability to “learn how to learn”, which is one of the priorities of our education. However, our ambition extends even further: to educate open-minded and enlightened citizens capable of changing the world and transforming society. Sciences Po's international dimension was established in its founding documents. Driven by this vocation for nearly 150 years, today Sciences Po stands out as a world-class university, with internationally-recognised degrees and research, a multicultural community and a worldwide network of partners. Sciences Po recruits its students on the basis of academic excellence. Nevertheless, it was one of the first institutions of higher learning in France to have fully assumed its social responsibilities by promoting intellectual, geographic and social diversity in its student body. Open to all talents, Sciences Po recruits students in nearly 150 countries and provides financial support to four out of every ten students. Sciences Po is a research university in the social sciences, internationally recognised for the quality of its scientific output. Developed with a strong focus on society, research conducted at Sciences Po enriches public debate. Since it was founded nearly 150 years ago, Sciences Po has never stopped reinventing itself. More than anything, Sciences Po today is a place where new ideas can be put forward and implemented. Educational methods, academic openness, inventive tools: this flair for innovation is one of our trademarks.