Sciences Po Regional Campuses to Form Alliance, Aiming for Increased Influence and Streamlined Admissions

Nine regional campuses of France’s prestigious Sciences Po university are poised to form a unified “ScPo group” by the end of 2026, seeking to amplify their collective voice and streamline administrative processes. The initiative, revealed by the AEF info agency and reported in Les Echos, involves Aix, Lille, Lyon, Rennes, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Strasbourg, and Toulouse, along with Sciences Po Bordeaux and Grenoble.

Motivations for Collaboration

The move is largely driven by a desire to increase the regional Sciences Po institutions’ influence within the Conference of Grandes Écoles, where networks of engineering schools currently hold more sway due to their unified structure. A source familiar with higher education noted that a consolidated group would allow the IEPs to present a more cohesive front.¹

This collaboration extends to student opportunities. Beginning this year, third-year students have been able to choose from a common pool of around one hundred master’s programs across the nine campuses, offering greater flexibility in their academic paths.¹

Key Areas of Cooperation

• Democratization Programs: The alliance aims to pool resources for programs designed to broaden access to higher education for students from modest or rural backgrounds, potentially attracting funding from national patrons.¹
• Admissions Procedures: Discussions are underway to coordinate recruitment and access policies, balancing the existing diversity of methods – including the common competitive exam and the specific competitions of Bordeaux and Grenoble.¹
• International Recruitment: There is consideration of establishing a dedicated international recruitment pathway to overcome limitations of the current system, which lacks examination centers outside of France and poses challenges for international applicants.¹
• Resource Acquisition: The group intends to jointly apply for national, European, and international funding opportunities.¹
• Partnerships: Pooling existing international partnerships could allow students to access opportunities even when spaces are limited at individual campuses.¹

Addressing External Perceptions

Administrators emphasize that the formation of the group is not intended as a challenge to Sciences Po Paris, but rather as a means of fostering greater exchange and defending a “common identity.” They also aim to counter what they perceive as mischaracterizations of Sciences Po, including accusations of being associated with “Islamo-leftism” or elitism.¹

Previous Collaborative Efforts

This initiative builds upon previous joint actions, such as a 2021 collaboration to combat sexual and gender-based violence.¹

Future Outlook

With nearly 20,000 students across the nine campuses, the “ScPo group” represents a significant development in the landscape of French higher education. The alliance aims to strengthen the regional Sciences Po institutions, promote their values, and enhance opportunities for their students.¹

1. https://www.sciencespo.fr/students/en/get-involved/sports/