Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in the social sciences and humanities is rooted in three core principles: academic rigour, internationalization, and civic engagement.

Over the course of three years, students think critically about how and why societies transform and the ways in which they may engage as citizens acting on behalf of the common good.

Using Multidisciplinarity to Comprehend the Dynamics of Contemporary Societies

The curriculum provides students with academic and methodological foundations in economics, history, humanities, law, political science, and sociology.

In the first year, students take introductory courses in each foundational discipline.

In the second year, students continue with advanced study of the disciplines through a multidisciplinary perspective while diving into coursework related to their multidisciplinary major of choice: Economy & Society, Political Humanities, or Politics & Government.

Students complete their major during the third year abroad, in an international academic environment.

Students develop critical thinking abilities and methodological rigour through exposure to a large variety of theories, approaches to reasoning, and viewpoints. They demonstrate these skills in their written work, oral presentations, and research by drawing on diverse sources (text, data, graphics, and video). Artistic practice and the study of literature and art (pdf in French, 276 Ko) stimulates students’ creativity and their ability to analyse contemporary political issues through new, unexpected lenses.

Geographical minors to Understand Global Challenges

Through disciplinary, multidisciplinary, and language coursework, students acquire strong and precise knowledge of global issues (democracy, inequality, peace, urbanisation, migration, information production and dissemination, environmental protection, food security, etc.).

The regional campuses explore political, social, economic, and cultural issues from an area-specific perspective (the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East), integrated into a wider analysis of the processes of globalisation.

Major coursework in the second and third years offers additional academic spaces for students to develop a nuanced look at issues related to their choice of geographical concentration.

An unprecedented “Ecological Culture” course

Environmental transformation is at the very heart of Sciences Po’s educational and research project. Reflecting the institution’s deep commitment to these issues, a compulsory 24-hour course on “Ecological Culture” was introduced for Sciences Po’s 1,700 first-year students at the start of the 2022–23 academic year. Designed by Pierre Charbonnier, philosopher and CNRS research fellow at Sciences Po (Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics), and drawing on political science, law, environmental history, economics, and sociology, the course benefits from the interdisciplinary richness of Sciences Po’s curriculum.

Learning about Citizenship and Giving Back

During the three years of undergraduate study, the civic learning programme helps students make the direct link between civic issues covered in class (democracy, peace, equality/diversity, education, environment, etc.) and their personal engagement to giving back to society. They may participate in activities hosted by Sciences Po or initiatives in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors. Students are encouraged to get involved in their local community, whether in France or internationally.

On every campus, students have many opportunities to participate in socially minded group projects, which foster self-reliance and leadership, facilitate collective decision-making, and require imagination and openness to others.

Certificates to showcase your skills

While studying at the Undergraduate College, students have the option of working towards three optional certificated programmes on the following themes:

• Issues of gender and gender equality, as part of the Gender and Equality Certificate, offered on all campuses;
• Strategic and environmental issues affecting coastal and marine spaces, as part of the Seas and Oceans Certificate, currently offered on the Le Havre and Poitiers Campuses and soon to be offered on the Menton Campus;
• Issues of european integration, as part of the CIVICA Certificate, offered on all campuses.