Sciences Po PSIA International Affairs Program Guide 2026

Sciences Po PSIA Overview and Global Rankings

The Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Sciences Po stands as one of the world’s premier institutions for graduate education in international affairs. Ranked #2 globally and #1 in Europe since 2020 according to the QS World University Rankings for politics and international studies, PSIA has consistently placed among the top four institutions worldwide for over a decade. Under the leadership of Dean Arancha González Laya and Vice Dean Mark Maloney, the school has established itself as a powerhouse for training the next generation of global leaders.

Located in the prestigious 7th arrondissement of Paris at 27 rue Saint-Guillaume, PSIA draws students from over 120 nationalities, creating one of the most diverse academic environments in international affairs education. The school offers more than 400 specialized courses annually, taught by a faculty that uniquely blends academic scholars with high-level practitioners from diplomacy, security, economics, and development. This combination of theoretical rigor and practical expertise distinguishes Sciences Po PSIA from competing institutions such as those covered in our Oxford Saïd Business School guide.

Sciences Po itself carries more than a century of tradition in training France’s political and administrative elite, and PSIA, founded in 2010, channels that heritage into a distinctly international and English-language academic program. The curriculum spans eight two-year master’s degrees, one accelerated master’s for professionals, fourteen dual degrees, and seventeen concentrations covering both regional and thematic specializations.

Eight Master’s Programs at Sciences Po PSIA

PSIA’s academic architecture revolves around eight distinct two-year master’s programs, each designed to produce specialists in a critical domain of international affairs. These programs are supplemented by the one-year Master in Advanced Global Studies, which targets mid-career professionals seeking to sharpen their expertise. Approximately 80% of PSIA students follow the standard two-year pathway, allowing them to build deep knowledge across multiple semesters of coursework, field experiences, and a master’s thesis or capstone project.

The eight two-year master’s programs are:

• Master in International Security — Covers contemporary security challenges including cyberwarfare, nuclear proliferation, transnational terrorism, and climate-related security threats
• Master in International Governance and Diplomacy — Bridges political science, international law, economics, and management with diplomacy as a core methodological framework
• Master in International Economic Policy — Provides analytical tools for trade policy, sanctions, sovereign debt management, and green economic transition
• Master in International Development — Focuses on sustainable economic growth, policy design, project management, and quantitative evaluation of development programs
• Master in International Energy — Addresses the geopolitics of energy, climate transition, and energy security in a rapidly changing global landscape
• Master in Environmental Policy — Examines the intersection of environmental science, policy, and governance at global and regional scales
• Master in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action — Trains advocates and practitioners in international human rights law, humanitarian response, and refugee protection
• Master in International Public Management — Prepares future leaders for roles in international organizations, public administration, and multilateral governance

Each program features a carefully structured curriculum that progresses from foundational mandatory courses in the first year to advanced seminars and field-based learning in the second year. Students interested in broader European education opportunities should also explore our Lund University programs guide for a Scandinavian perspective.

PSIA Curriculum Structure and Course Delivery

The Sciences Po PSIA curriculum follows a block-based structure, with each semester divided into thematic course blocks that allow students to build knowledge progressively. In the first year (M1), students take mandatory foundational courses alongside elective blocks that align with their chosen master’s program. The second year (M2) features advanced courses, specialized seminars, and opportunities for field experiences, internships, or research projects.

Course delivery at PSIA emphasizes small-group seminars, case-based analysis, simulation exercises, and direct engagement with practitioners. For example, the Master in International Security includes the renowned Normandy Staff Ride — a field trip that combines historical military analysis with contemporary strategic thinking — as well as NATO simulation exercises (Tyrrhenia) and École de Guerre collaborations. These experiential components go far beyond traditional lecture-based instruction.

The academic calendar typically runs from September through June, with the fall semester covering two to three course blocks and the spring semester providing the remaining blocks. M2 students benefit from more flexibility, with the option to pursue internships, exchange semesters, or intensive research periods alongside their coursework. With 400+ specialized courses offered annually, students can tailor their academic pathway to an extraordinary degree of specificity.

Faculty at PSIA includes an impressive roster of practitioners and scholars. Among notable instructors are former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba teaching Principles of Wartime Diplomacy, former UN Special Envoy Staffan De Mistura offering Arm Twisting the Devil, and Sigrid Kaag (Co-Scientific Advisor for the Governance and Diplomacy program) teaching Navigating High-Stakes Negotiations. This caliber of teaching talent is rarely matched at any other institution worldwide.

International Security and Diplomacy Programs at PSIA

The Master in International Security stands as one of PSIA’s flagship offerings, supervised by Scientific Advisor Camille Grand. The program addresses the full spectrum of contemporary security challenges: from traditional conflict and military strategy to emerging threats in cybersecurity, space security, and climate-driven instability. The curriculum is organized into six course blocks across two years, beginning with mandatory coursework in international law and security, then branching into specialized tracks covering war and crises, peace and security, conflicts and criminal justice, and global security and diplomacy.

Notable courses include Cybersecurity: Operational Challenges and International Policies, taught by Matthieu Barthe and Adrien Gevaudan; Climate Change and Security by Angélique Palle; and the NATO Tyrrhenia Exercise led by General Michel Yakovleff. The Normandy Staff Ride, a multi-day field experience analyzing World War II operations through a contemporary strategic lens, represents one of the most distinctive educational offerings at any international affairs school globally.

The Master in International Governance and Diplomacy, co-advised by Thierry Balzacq and Sigrid Kaag, takes a unique approach by embedding diplomacy as the foundational concentration for all enrolled students. This means every student in the program develops core diplomatic skills before adding a thematic or regional specialization. The curriculum covers policy analysis for international governance, international political economy, diplomatic practices, and advanced strategy and leadership.

Courses like Grand Strategy in Diplomacy Past and Present, taught by Bruno Stagno Ugarte, and Building a Feminist International System through Multilateralism, co-taught by Cristina Gallach and Silvana Koch-Mehrin, illustrate the program’s blend of historical depth and contemporary relevance. Students seeking similar governance-focused programs may find useful comparisons in our Masaryk University European Politics and Governance guide.

Economic Policy and Development Programs at PSIA

The Master in International Economic Policy, supervised by Scientific Advisor Thierry Mayer, provides the quantitative and analytical foundation necessary for careers in international economic governance. This program has a notable prerequisite: candidates are expected to have completed undergraduate coursework in both microeconomics and macroeconomics before enrollment. The curriculum covers international trade, international finance, sustainable economics, and macroeconomic policy, with mandatory courses in International Trade (taught by Thierry Mayer himself) and International Macroeconomics (Thomas Alexis Grjebine).

Students can pursue enhanced master options including Maths for Economists, Applied Econometrics with Stata (both beginner and advanced levels), and Advanced Econometrics covering time series and panel data analysis. Second-year courses tackle advanced topics such as Managing Sovereign Debt (Jean-Pierre Landau), Introduction to Green Finance (Jean-Stéphane Mesonnier), and Economic Policies in Times of Crisis (Fabrizio Pagani). The program also features a Geoeconomics specialization track that integrates courses on global firms as geoeconomic actors, geoeconomics and diplomacy, and trade policy.

The Master in International Development adopts a renewed approach to sustainable economic growth, emphasizing the economics and finance foundations of development alongside policy design, project management, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation. The first-year curriculum includes Development Economics (Vera Chiodi and Guillaume Sarrat De Tramezaigues), Gender and Development (Maxime Forest), and Fundamentals of Global Health Policy (Louis Pizarro). Development finance courses cover fiscal and social policies in developing countries, sustainable finance, and financing development mechanisms.

What sets this program apart is its emphasis on quantitative evaluation methods and practical project management skills. Courses like Approaches to Project Management and Inclusive Development and Evaluating Development ensure graduates can not only analyze development challenges but also design, implement, and assess interventions effectively. The program also offers enhanced master options in agriculture, oceanic environmental challenges, and energy for development.

Dual Degrees and Concentrations at Sciences Po PSIA

One of PSIA’s most distinctive features is its portfolio of 14 dual degree programs with leading universities around the world. These partnerships allow students to earn two master’s degrees from two prestigious institutions, significantly expanding their academic credentials and professional networks. Dual degree partners span multiple continents, offering students the opportunity to study in diverse academic and cultural environments while maintaining their PSIA enrollment.

Beyond dual degrees, PSIA offers 17 concentrations — 5 regional and 12 thematic — that allow students to customize their academic focus within their chosen master’s program. Regional concentrations provide deep expertise in specific geopolitical areas, while thematic concentrations cover cross-cutting issues such as diplomacy, geoeconomics, climate policy, and digital governance. This concentration system enables PSIA students to develop a highly specialized profile that aligns precisely with their career aspirations.

The combination of a two-year master’s program, a chosen concentration, and the possibility of a dual degree creates an exceptionally flexible academic architecture. Students can effectively design a bespoke educational experience that prepares them for specific sectors, organizations, or regions. This level of customization, combined with 400+ available courses, makes PSIA one of the most adaptable international affairs programs in the world.

Sciences Po PSIA Admission Requirements

Admission to Sciences Po PSIA is highly competitive, reflecting the school’s global reputation and limited class sizes. All applicants must hold a completed bachelor’s degree (or equivalent first-cycle qualification) and demonstrate strong academic performance throughout their undergraduate studies. Proficiency in English is essential, as the primary language of instruction across all PSIA programs is English. Most programs accept students from diverse academic backgrounds, though specific programs have additional prerequisites.

The Master in International Economic Policy, for instance, requires candidates to have completed undergraduate-level courses in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Other programs may expect foundational knowledge in political science, international relations, law, or relevant social sciences, though Sciences Po values interdisciplinary profiles and does not restrict applications to specific disciplines.

The application package typically includes academic transcripts, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, a CV, and proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent). Sciences Po also considers professional experience, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated interest in international affairs as part of its holistic evaluation process. Given that students from 120+ nationalities are represented at PSIA, the admissions process actively seeks to build a diverse cohort that reflects the global nature of the issues studied.

For applicants considering their options across European universities, comparing admission standards across institutions can be valuable. Our guides on eligible master’s programs in Sweden and Maastricht University SBE programs provide useful benchmarks.

Career Outcomes and Professional Networks from Sciences Po PSIA

Graduates of Sciences Po PSIA consistently secure positions at the highest levels of international organizations, government agencies, NGOs, consulting firms, and multinational corporations. The school’s alumni network spans the United Nations, European Union institutions, the World Bank, NATO, leading think tanks, and foreign ministries around the world. PSIA’s location in Paris — a global hub for diplomacy and international governance — provides unparalleled access to internship opportunities at international organizations, embassies, and policy institutes.

The practitioner-heavy faculty model directly contributes to career outcomes. When your professors include former foreign ministers, UN special envoys, central bankers, and military strategists, the networking opportunities extend far beyond the classroom. Guest lectures, simulation exercises, and field trips create natural connections between students and the professional world they aspire to join.

Sciences Po also maintains a robust career services infrastructure that supports students through internship placement, job fairs, alumni mentoring programs, and industry networking events. The institution’s reputation in France and internationally ensures that the Sciences Po name carries significant weight on a CV, particularly in European and francophone professional circles. With its #1 European ranking sustained since 2020, PSIA graduates enter the job market with a credential recognized by employers worldwide.

Campus Life and Student Experience in Paris

Studying at Sciences Po PSIA means living in the heart of Paris, one of the world’s most culturally rich and politically significant cities. The main campus at 27 rue Saint-Guillaume is situated in the 7th arrondissement, within walking distance of major government institutions, foreign embassies, the OECD headquarters, and numerous international organizations. This location transforms the entire city into an extended classroom, where policy discussions happening in lecture halls are mirrored by real diplomatic and political activities just streets away.

The student experience at PSIA is intensely international. With over 120 nationalities represented, students engage daily with peers whose perspectives are shaped by diverse cultural, political, and economic contexts. This diversity is not merely demographic — it fundamentally enriches classroom discussions, group projects, and the informal exchanges that are central to any graduate education. Student associations, cultural events, and collaborative projects further foster this global community.

Paris itself offers world-class museums, libraries, restaurants, and cultural institutions, alongside a vibrant student life scene. Sciences Po students benefit from university housing options, health services, sports facilities, and a wide array of student organizations spanning political activism, cultural exchange, professional development, and social life. The quality of life in Paris, combined with PSIA’s academic rigor, creates an immersive experience that shapes students both intellectually and personally.

How Sciences Po PSIA Compares to Other International Affairs Programs

In the competitive landscape of international affairs education, Sciences Po PSIA distinguishes itself through several key differentiators. Its #2 global ranking and #1 European position place it ahead of most competitors, with only a handful of institutions — primarily Georgetown’s Walsh School, Johns Hopkins SAIS, and Columbia SIPA in the United States — regularly appearing alongside it in rankings discussions.

Where PSIA excels beyond rankings is in its breadth of offerings. With 8 master’s programs, 14 dual degrees, 17 concentrations, and 400+ courses annually, PSIA offers a level of academic customization that few institutions can match. The practitioner-faculty model, featuring active diplomats, military leaders, and policymakers as instructors, provides a practical orientation that complements traditional academic approaches. Experiential learning opportunities such as the Normandy Staff Ride and NATO exercises are unique to PSIA’s security program.

The Paris location offers distinct advantages over Washington, New York, or London-based programs. As the seat of the UNESCO headquarters and a major center for European diplomacy, Paris provides unmatched access to multilateral institutions and European policy networks. For students interested in EU affairs, francophone geopolitics, or European security architecture, PSIA’s positioning is strategically superior to North American alternatives.

Compared to other European programs, PSIA’s fully English-language instruction removes language barriers while maintaining the benefits of a continental European perspective. The school’s deep integration with France’s governmental and diplomatic infrastructure adds a practical dimension that purely academic programs cannot replicate. For students weighing their European options, our Radboud University master’s guide offers another perspective on leading European graduate education.