FAQ
Admissions
What does Admission on a rolling basis mean? When do I apply to the MPA?
Throughout the admissions period, the MPA runs selection committees on a monthly basis. The proportion of admitted students in each of these committees is quite similar. We do however encourage candidates to apply as early as possible such that they will receive a reply from us earlier on their admission status. This provides more time to look for external funding, proceed with visa applications, prepare for arrival, etc. Please note that you do need to apply before the November deadline if you wish to be eligible to the Eiffel scholarship.
Can I submit a paper application?
No, there is no paper application form. All applications must be submitted online through the online application form.
Can I apply if I have less than 2 years' professional experience?
Yes. Each year, the Selection Committee makes a few exceptions to the 2 year rule for candidates with particularly outstanding academic records, internships or other activities which show clear motivation, great maturity, and very strong potential. The basic requirement for consideration by the Selection Committee is that at the time of application, you are already in possession of your BA degree. In other words, if you are applying for entry in the fall of 2011, you must have completed your BA at least in the spring of 2010. However, you should be aware that the MPA is designed for students with professional experience. While the youngest students can be 23 and 24 and the oldest 37 and 38, the average age of students is 28.
Do I have to speak French in order to do the MPA?
No. The program is taught entirely in English. During the Orientation, we help you facilitate all the administrative processes you have to go through.
Throughout the program, we offer French language classes 4 hours a week, at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. All of our current students, except for the few who are francophone, take advantage of being at Sciences Po for two years to learn or perfect their French.
How do I apply for the MPA Dual Degree?
Application to the dual degree is to be submitted at the end of the first semester, during the first year of the program. It consists of a statement letter and CV,. Please not than in addition to these documents, SIPA also requires students to take the GRE and submit their score. Applications are submitted to the Sciences Po MPA administration, which forwards them to the respective dual degree partners. Final decisions are made by the partner institutions.
How do I pay the non refundable application fee?
Application fees can be paid by credit card in the online application. If you do not have a credit card, we encourage you to find a relative or friend who is willing to lend you one in exchange for a reimbursement in cash (the payment does not have to be made by a card under your own name). If you are unable to access a credit card, you may ask your bank for a check in Euros, made out to “FNSP."
Are you able to waive the application fee?
Yes, under some circumstances, which illustrate a clear innability to pay application fee. Applicant eligibility is determined based on household size and family income. If you think you may be eligibile, please contact the MPA academic coordinator.
What happens after I submit my application?
The application is checked by our staff to make sure that it is complete. Once we have verified that all the requested documents have been submitted, the status of your online application will be updated to “application complete.”
It will then be reviewed by an admission committee, composed of the Director of the MPA and 2 Sciences Po faculty members.
You will be notified on your admission status within 45 days approximately.
How do I check the status of my application?
An email notification will be sent to you as soon as the decision on admission has been taken. The status of your application will also be updated on the online application form. You may log in anytime and check for updates.
I have been admitted, how long do I have before I need to confirm my participation?
You need to confirm your participation to the program online by the 15th of May..
How many applications do you receive each year? How many are accepted?
Every year we receive approximately 250 applications. We accept 40 to 50 students.
What should I do if I need to defer my application for one year?
You can request that your admission to be deferred by one year. To do so, please write to mpa@sciences-po.fr, detailing the reasons why you need to petition for this deferral. Deferrals are not automatically granted and are subject to approval by the MPA administration.
References & documents
What documents do I need to include with my application?
All documents should be attached as PDFs to your online application form.
- All official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions. Transcripts must be originals or certified copies in English, French, Spanish or German. Documents in other languages must be officially translated into English. A photocopy of your university degree, stamped and signed by your university.
- A CV in English.
- If you are neither a native English speaker nor hold a degree from a university whose medium of instruction is English, your English language test results: TOEFL or IELTS.
- ID photograph (optional).
- Your references will submit the four required letters of evaluation (two academic, two professional) through the online application system.
Where do I send letters of recommendation?
Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the online reference form. Once you enter your referee’s contact information, they receive an email with instructions and can submit their reference online. If you have chosen the PDF version of the form, it needs to be submitted to us directly by your referee. Either by email (mpa@sciences-po.fr), fax (+33 (0)1 45 49 59 92) or post (MPA, 27 rue Saint-Guillaume, 75337 Paris Cedex 07, France).
How do I know my recommenders have submitted their letters of recommendation?
Once your referees have submitted their recommendations, you will be notified by email (email sent by admissions@sciences-po.fr).
Academic referees the recommendation form as soon you have saved the relevant information in the online application. Professional referees, however, are not sent the recommendation form until you have submitted your final application.
I finished my last degree some time ago and am having trouble collecting two academic references. Are there any alternatives?
We do provide some exceptions to the required 2 academic references and 2 professional references. If you are not able to find academic referees because you have been out of university for quite some time, you may request an exemption and replace these references with an additional professional reference. Please contact mpa@sciences-po.fr for further information to this regard.
Can I submit an additional reference?
Yes, the online application system enables you to submit additional references above and beyond the two required professional and two required academic references.
When do I send my transcripts?
All documents have to be submitted online, together with your application. Original copies of your transcripts will be requested upon final registration at Sciences Po.
My transcripts are not in English. Do I need to have them translated?
Transcripts in languages other than French, English, Spanish and German must be translated in English
What if I do not achieve the minimum required scores on the TOEFL or IELTS?
In some exceptional cases, candidates whose results are very close to the recommended score may be admitted if the strength of their application is found to be compensatory.
How do I send my TOEFL score?
To send your TOEFL scores, the Sciences Po institution code is 0695 (Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris). No department code is needed. You can also attach a copy of it to your online application.
How recent does my TOEFL score need to be?
The TOEFL score must be no more than 2 years old. If you took it over 2 years ago but can demonstrate that you have been practising your English regularly since then (studies in English, work in English speaking country, etc.), you can contact mpa@sciences-po.fr and ask that your “old” score be accepted.
Do you require the GRE test?
No. GRE and other standardized tests are not required by Sciences Po. If you have taken it, you can submit a copy of your test results, which will be taken into account as any additional document that you wish to add to your application (e.g. article you have written, distinctions received, etc.).
Tuition and Scholarships
How do I apply to the Eiffel Scholarship Program?
The Eiffel scholarship is a program managed by the CampusFrance Agency on behalf of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Applications are to be submitted to the Ministry by universities, not candidates. Eligible candidates who have been admitted by the MPA receive an application form in early December. Their application will be submitted to the Ministry by Sciences Po at the end of December. They hear the results from the Ministry at the end of March.
How do I apply to the MPA scholarship?
You will first need to fill out the corresponding section in the online application. If you have been admitted to the program, we will then send you an additional form which you will need to fill out and send back to us along with supporting documents (copies of tax return form, pay slips, etc.).
When can I expect to be notified of the results of my MPA scholarship application?
If you applied for an MPA scholarship, you will be notified of the scholarship results by mid-April.
Am I eligible to the Emile Boutmy scholarship?
No. Candidates to the MPA do not qualify for the Emile Boutmy scholarship. The MPA runs its own scholarship scheme, the Sciences Po MPA scholarship.
How much does the programme cost?
The tuition fees are set at 24 500€ per year.
Where can I find information about scholarships and financial assistance?
You can consult our financial aid page for more information on these issues.
Other questions
How long is the programme?
The MPA is a 2 year program (21 months), from late August to early June of the second year, with a required internship between the first and the second year.
Can I study part-time?
No, the MPA at Sciences Po is a full-time program.
Can I visit the campus?
Yes, please write to us to make an appointment to set up a meeting and a tour of the facilities.
Do you accept transfer or occasional students?
No, students at the MPA have to be admitted through the regular admission process and join the program in the first year. Only students from one of our dual degree partner programs admitted through the dual degree admission process can join in the second year directly and transfer their credits from their first year.
Can I apply for a PhD programme after the MPA?
Some MPA students have done PhDs after the MPA, either at Sciences Po or elsewhere. The MPA, however, is a professional degree and aims to train students for professional positions rather than academic careers.
What if I have other questions?
Please write to mpa@sciences-po.fr or call on of our team members. To know who you should call depending on your question, please check the team’s profiles.
Do I have to attend the orientation program, and when do real classes start?
Yes. All students are expected to attend the orientation. Please find the academic calendar here.
