Language of instruction
Sciences Po stands out as a world-class university with internationally-recognised degrees and research, a multicultural community and a worldwide network of partners.
At Sciences Po, academic and personal development are intimately linked with a focus on cultivating intellectual curiosity, critical thinking skills and self-examination. These qualities are developed through teamwork, student presentations, small classes, debates and participation in student associations.
Its best-known campus is nestled in the heart of Paris – 5 minutes from the Louvre and the Latin Quarter, and close to countless other sites in the City of Lights.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | January–May |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Semester | Late August–December |
Students are typically only able to participate in a single semester of exchange at Sciences Po, due to the popularity of this university.
Undergraduate students must have completed at least four semesters of full-time study (related to their degree during exchange) by the time they arrive at Sciences Po.
View the Sciences Po academic calendar.
Campuses
Sciences Po consists of 7 campuses around France:
- Dijon campus
- Le Havre campus
- Menton campus
- Nancy campus
- Paris campus
- Poitiers campus
- Reims campus
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Student testimonials
- B. Communication/ArtsSemester 1, 2018
Meeting new people who all have something to offer and shape your understanding of the world and your place in it.
- Bachelor of ArtsSemester 1, 2018
A challenging, eye-opening and ultimately fun experience that helped me to see with further clarity who I am and where I want to go.
- Bachelor of EconomicsSemester 1, 2018
Living in Paris was amazing itself, but I think a perk of going on exchange to Europe is that all the countries are connected.
Full-time study load
30 ECTS credits per semester at Sciences Po is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0 to study at Sciences Po.
Students must have completed two years of study at UQ before going to Sciences Po.
Find courses
Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only.
Search the Sciences Po course catalogue for undergraduate and postgraduate courses if they do not appear in the database.
Language course information and profiles.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
Students wishing to take courses in French must have an Assessment of Language Proficiency form completed by their French lecturer. The minimum acceptable level is a B2.
Postgraduate level students are not allowed to choose courses from multiple faculties, disciplines or programs - all courses must be from within a single program.
Additional academic information
Sciences Po has online resources to help navigate their academic policies:
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Accommodation
Sciences Po does not have its own student residence so you need to find your own accommodation. To give yourself the best possible chance of finding appropriate accommodation, make sure you arrive in your campus’ city a few days (or a few weeks, for Paris) before the semester starts. For advice and resources to start your search, visit Sciences Po's housing web page.
Cost of living
To prepare you for your stay in France, Sciences Po provides an estimate of basic living costs at each of its campuses.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Students undertaking exchange studies in France can apply for the Nicolas Baudin Program through the French Embassy in Canberra.
Students may be entitled to CAF housing benefits whether living in an unfurnished or furnished flat, home-stay, or student hall of residence.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in the Student Exchange Program are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
Please read through this important information about Health Insurance for exchange students in France.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As UQ Abroad is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
Contact the French Consulate for visa and immigration information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow UQ Abroad students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, UQ Abroad programs to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Register your travel plans
We recommend that you register your travel plans on the Smartraveller website so that the Australian Government can contact you or your family in an emergency.
Non-Australian citizens should register with their closest consulate.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.