Sciences Po Toulouse

The Toulouse Institute of Political Studies, named « Sciences Po Toulouse » is a higher education and research establishment, autonomous within one of the oldest universities in Europe: The University of Toulouse, founded in 1229. Taking its inspiration from Sciences Po Paris founded in 1871, and afterwards with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) following suit, an order issued by General de Gaulle in 1945 brought about the decision to create institutes of political studies in some of the largest cities in the country so as to democratize the recruitment of the “Nation’s elite”.

Toulouse opened its doors in 1948. Since then, Sciences Po Toulouse has continuously grown in size and prestige and now welcomes just over 1, 700 students who are rigorously selected to enroll through a national entrance examination common to 7 Sciences Po institutes in France, or admission based upon student record and achievements under certain conditions, including continuing-education applications.

The main peculiarity of the Sciences Po model is that it is an interdisciplinary approach to excellence in education which provides future generalists with the high level of grounding in skills that they need in History, Law, Economic sciences, Sociology, Political science and International relations, enriched by specialization in years 4 and 5, after a 3rd year either on a professional placement in France or overseas or alternatively studying at a foreign university.

Nearly 150 international partners have been set up across 5 continents, allowing for constant student exchanges and common research projects. Firmly turned towards the rest of the world, Sciences Po Toulouse educates future professionals that are called upon to work in a multicultural environment in executive positions, in both the public and the private sectors, whether that be in France or anywhere in the world.