Sciences Po Launches a Dual Degree With the University of Cape Town

Sciences Po and the University of Cape Town (UCT) are strengthening their partnership with the launch of a dual Master’s degree. Signed during a visit of the UCT Vice-Chancellor to Sciences Po, on Human Rights Day in South Africa, the agreement aims to train experts capable of meeting global challenges in governance, public policy, and sustainable urban development. 

For Sciences Po, this marks the first dual degree with a university on the African continent, which is thus extending its academic footprint across all continents and further strengthening its academic commitment in Africa.

An academic alliance of excellence 

University of Cape Town – ranked as Africa's top university by Times Higher Education – and Sciences Po intensify 28 years of academic partnership. As Luis Vassy, Sciences Po President, phrased it, “With the signing of this dual degree, we have taken a decisive step forward, giving this collaboration a new dimension through a programme of excellence in social sciences, at the crossroads of Europe and Africa”.

The dual degree covers two Master's programmes: 

• Governance and International Relations: a partnership between our Paris School of International affairs (PSIA) and the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at UCT,
• Urban Studies: a partnership between our Urban School and the African Centre for Cities at UCT.

The first cohort is scheduled for January 2027, and will comprise approximately 20 students. The programme aims to attract a diverse range of candidates, both socioculturally and geographically.

Africa, a strategic priority for Sciences Po’s International development 

For over 15 years, Sciences Po has made Africa a central pillar of its international development. In September 2024, the university launched the Africa Programme to bring together and nurture all Africa-related activities.

Today, it is the French university that sends the most students to spend part of their studies in Africa. It also welcomes nearly 700 students of 46 African nationalities into its student community. On the European level, Sciences Po is one of the most active universities on the continent, with 34 university partnerships.

Its research focuses as much on understanding Africa as on broader issues. It is fuelled by the many scientific collaborations forged with the research units of its African university partners.

Sciences Po, like UCT, is part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which aims to create conditions of access to an inclusive education of excellence for young people from sub-Saharan Africa.