English programme

If you have little or no French : English programme

Sciences Po Rennes proposes a programme in English for international students who have little or no prior knowledge of French.

The programme offers a general introduction to the political, social, and cultural landscapes of France and Europe, and examines important issues and debates in France today; all classes are taught in English. All students in the programme are provided with French language tuition (4h per week, plus optional computer-based independent training). Following intensive language tuition in the first semester, students can choose to switch to our French Certificate of Political Studies in the second semester, giving them access to a wider range of classes, mainly taught in French.

The Certificat d'Etudes Politiques is a full year programme (from the end of August until the end of May). 

The CEPa takes the form of 5 compulsory modules per semester over two semesters. Each of these modules is worth 6 credits per semester and is composed of one 20-hour course (6 ECTS) or two 10-hour courses (2x3 ECTS) or a 24-hour course in French language (3 ECTS) with a class taught in a small group (3 ECTS) or a 48-hour course in French language (6 ECTS).

Within these five modules is a compulsory French course – French as a Foreign Language (FLE) – which comprises :

• 4 hours a week over 12 weeks (48h) in each semester for the A and B groups.
• 2 hours a week over 12 weeks (24h) in each semester for the C and D groups (and potentially E). The latter will then choose a class taught in small groups in French (English classes excluded) in the IPS programme that is compatible with their schedule. This class will account for 3 ECTS per semester.

The remaining four modules (2 hours a week over 10 weeks each) are within the relevant field in the social sciences.

The Attestation d'Etudes Politiques is a single semester programme (12 weeks). 

The AEPa takes the form of 5 compulsory modules per semester: each of these modules is worth 6 credits per semester. Each of these modules is worth 6 credits per semester and is composed of one 20-hour course (6 ECTS) or two 10-hour courses (2x3 ECTS) or a 24-hour course in French language (3 ECTS) with a class taught in a small group (3 ECTS) or a 48-hour course in French language (6 ECTS).

Within these five modules is a compulsory French course – French as a Foreign Language (FLE) – which comprises:

• 4 hours a week over 12 weeks (48h) in each semester for the A and B groups.
• 2 hours a week over 12 weeks (24h) in each semester for the C and D groups (and potentially E). The latter will then choose a class taught in small groups in French (English classes excluded) in the IPS programme that is compatible with their schedule. This class will account for 3 ECTS per semester.

The remaining four modules (2 hours a week over 10 weeks each) are within the relevant field in the social sciences.

Programme content

The programme includes a two-week intensive training course in French language (25 hours) at the start of each semester. On the first day of the course, students take a language test to enable us to put them in the class which corresponds to their level of proficiency (beginner or intermediate).

1^st SEMESTER : From September to December
2^nd SEMESTER : From January to May

List of courses

Teaching staff and faculty

The courses will be given by :

• Sciences Po lecturers and professors
• Guest professors from partner universities
• Teachers specializing in French as foreign language (FLE) for the language classes

How to apply to the DPSE/CPSE?

Both programmes are open to are open to around 20 students (25 maximum), with no or little French upon arrival. Sciences Po Rennes reserves the right to make a selection.

After the nomination by the partner university, the students receive the link to complete the on-line application form.