Admissions 2019: A New Record in Applications

The 2018 admissions report reveals a strong increase in Sciences Po’s appeal. For the first time, the number of applications recorded exceeded 20,000, a 16% increase (20,621 total). This surge is in part linked to the reforms to the French entry procedures for the master’s level, which saw a 53% increase in applications this year. International applications also went up by 11% due to growing efforts made to promote outreach. The increase in selectivity (21% admitted in 2018 comparative to 24% in 2017) and the diversity of candidates are guarantors of the excellence of Sciences Po’s education. The incoming class size remained stable this year. Undergraduate Admissions Sciences Po retains its appeal for 10,957 high school students who sat the first round of entrance exams (including dual-degree programmes with Parisian universities). There were 10,112 the previous year, representing an 8% increase in one year. They come from 1,585 French high schools. This year, the exam procedure brought in 5,680 candidates, an almost 4% increase in comparison to the year before (5,480 in 2017). 3,325 candidates applied via the international procedure or for one of nine international dual-degrees, representing close to a 5% increase in a year (3,177 in 2017.) The number of candidates applying through the Equal Opportunity Programme also saw a 20% increase, with 976 high school students submitting applications (there were 813 in 2017). All procedures considered, 1,904 students were admitted, a slightly lower number than the previous year (1,914 admitted in 2017). Admitted students come from a total of 93 countries worldwide. Master’s Admissions This year, 8,915 candidates applied to the master’s programmes, a 30% increase from 2017 (6,919 applicants). A total of 3,717 candidates applied via the French procedure (2,433 in 2017, a 53% increase). The rise in applications via this procedure is in part a result of the 2017 reforms which removed the written exam and replaced it with a double evaluation of a dossier. These reforms allowed for an even greater diversity amongst applicants: admitted students from scientific backgrounds are on the rise, from 1% in 2017 to 4% in 2018. An increase in the number of candidates on CROUS scholarships is also observed.   5,198 students applied through the international procedure and via the dual-degrees (4,486 in 2017, a 16% increase). 2,108 students were accepted into master’s programmes (there were 2,062 in 2017). 79% of admitted students applied via the international procedure or international dual-degrees, solidifying the success of our 38 dual-degrees with partner universities in 14 different countries. Sciences Po maintains its selectivity and inclusivity With 1,929 students admitted via the Equal Opportunity Programme (CEP) since its creation in 2001, Sciences Po positions itself as a key actor amongst higher education establishments. Besides the CEP procedure, Sciences Po’s tuition fee policy which is calculated on a degressive sliding scale along with a voluntarist social assistance policy favour a greater social mix within the institution. The direct aids offered by Sciences Po amounted to 10.5 million euros and benefited 36% of students who were scholarship holders or received financial aid (on bases of low family income, disability, or tuition fee adjustment).   About Sciences Po Founded on values of openness and excellence, Sciences Po is an international research university, both selective and open to the world, ranking among the finest institutions in the fields of humanities and social sciences. Its unique model combines a multidisciplinary outlook with a focus on professional application, in order to train leaders capable of understanding and transforming society. Sciences Po ranks fourth worldwide in the field of Social Sciences and International Relations (QS 2018). Diversity is an integral element of Sciences Po’s identity, with international students from over 150 countries making up 47% of the student body, and 26% of students receiving scholarships (compared to 6% en 2000). http://www.sciencespo.fr/en

The 2017 admissions report confirms Sciences Po's increasing attractiveness, with a total of 16,976 applications received this year at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The rise in international applications at both levels has accentuated this increase. In particular, applications to Master's programmes increased by nearly 6% in one year, attesting to the appeal of our seven graduate schools. A stable selection rate and the diversity of applicants guarantee the excellence of the education we deliver. Total student numbers are practically stable this year.Undergraduate admissionsSciences Po’s appeal is as strong as ever among high school students, 9,658 of whom applied to the Undergraduate College (not counting those applying to the dual degree programmes with Parisian universities). There were 9,318 applicants last year—a 3.6% increase in one year.This year, the entrance examination attracted 5,480 candidates, a relatively stable number compared to last year (5,528 in 2016). 3,177 candidates applied through the international procedure or to one of the international dual degree programmes—an increase of 11 percent in one year (2,853 in 2016). The number of candidates applying through the Equal Opportunity programme also rose by almost 7%; 1,001 high school students took part in the Sciences Po workshops at their school and 791 completed their applications for eligibility (937 and 774 respectively in 2016).All procedures combined, 1,848 students were admitted—a stable selection rate compared to the previous year (1,816 admitted in 2016). They come from 992 high schools in France and around the world. In France, more students come from outside the Paris region (60% of admitted students) than from within it. 64% of new undergraduate students are attending a regional campus. Graduate admissionsThis year, 6,699 candidates applied to a Master's programme, an increase of over 6% compared to 2016 (6,293 candidates). 2,434 graduate candidates applied through the entrance exam procedure (2,402 in 2016) and 4,265 through the international or dual degree procedures (3,891 in 2016, an increase of 9.6%).2,006 students were admitted to Master's programmes (1,872 in 2016). 78 percent of Master's students were admitted through the international or dual degree procedures, confirming last year's trend and the success of the 38 dual degree programmes established with partners in 14 foreign countries.Five one-year Master’s programmes designed for young professionals and graduates were launched in 2015. They are taught entirely in English at the Paris School of International Affairs, the School of Public Affairs, the Law School and the School of Management and Innovation. In 2017, 361 candidates applied and 182 were admitted. This represents an increase of nearly 40 percent compared to 2016 (258 candidates for 131 admitted).Sciences Po remains one of the most socially inclusive of selective institutions 1,769 students have been admitted through the Equal Opportunity programme since it began in 2001, positioning Sciences Po as a key player in social diversity among higher education institutions. In addition to the Equal Opportunity programme, our sliding scale tuition fees together with our proactive financial and social support policy help promote greater diversity within the university. Direct financial aid disbursed by Sciences Po amounts to about 10.4 million euros and 37 percent of students receive scholarships or needs-based financial aid (low income, disability, partial tuition fee waivers).About Sciences Po Sciences Po is a selective research university of international standing based on the values of openness and excellence. Sciences Po's unique academic model combines expertise in human and social sciences, multidisciplinarity and a professional grounding to educate professionals and citizens able to understand and transform society. Diversity is a key element of Sciences Po's identity. The student body comprises 47 percent international students from more than 150 different countries and 27 percent scholarship students (up from 6 percent in 2000).Press contact: Marie Frocrain : marie.frocrain@sciencespo.fr / 01 49 54 37 71