FAQ

FAQ

Admissions

  • Question What happens after I submit my application?
    Response
    • If you are applying to be an exchange student at Sciences Po Lille, your application will be evaluated by the International Admissions’ Commission. In the case where you are admitted to Sciences Po Lille, your letter of acceptance will be issued and the scanned copy will be emailed to you. If you need to apply for a visa, the hard copy will be sent to your home university.
    • If you are applying as a free mover, your application will be evaluated by the International Admissions’ Commission. In the case where you are admitted to Sciences Po Lille, your letter of acceptance will be issued and the scanned copy will be emailed to you. If you need to apply for a visa, the hard copy will be sent to your home address.
    • If you are applying for a Master’s program, a “Commission de Spécialistes” will evaluate your application. In the case where you are admitted to Sciences Po Lille, your letter of acceptance will be issued and the scanned copy will be emailed to you. If you need to apply for a visa, the hard copy will be sent to your home address.
    • If you are a Chinese citizen and would like to take the Competitive Examination, your letter of acceptance will be issued and the scanned copy will be emailed to you when you have passed the examination. If you need to apply for a visa, the hard copy will be sent to your home address.
    • If you are applying for a Dual Degree Program you must pass a selection that consists in two stages, first stage will be on 2nd April 2016, candidates will pass three different written tests (language, contemporary issues and history). After this a “Commission de Spécialistes” will choose the best results (the list will be published on 17th May) in order to organize a second stage selection on 31st May and 1st June 2016 where selected candidates will pass a language test in front of a panel of judges in order to evaluate the language level and knowledge about German, British or Spanish history and culture.
  • Question I've decided not to accept my offer of admission at Sciences Po Lille, what should I do?
    Response

    If you decide not to accept the offer of admission, you should decline your offer by sending an email to: international.students@sciencespo-lille.eu

    For Dual Degree Candidates you must decline your offer as soon as possible, if you submit you application from Sciences Po Lille you need to inform us by email to Juliane Laporte (juliane.laporte@sciencespo-lille.eu). If you submit you application from a partner university please contact the responsible person of each program.

  • Question How Do I Apply To Sciences Po Lille ?
    Response

Courses

  • Question Can I only take courses taught in English?
    Response
    • If you are applying as an exchange student at Sciences Po Lille, you will have access to a large number of courses taught in English. Each semester we welcome international students who are allowed to select all their courses in English.
    • If you are applying as a free mover, you will have access to a large number of courses taught in English. Each semester we welcome international students who are allowed to select all their courses in English.
    • If you are applying for a Master’s program, please note that most of your courses will be taught in French.
    • If you are a Chinese citizen and have passed the Competitive Examination, please note that most of your courses will be taught in French.
    • If you are applying for a Dual Degree Program you are not considered as an international student then most of your courses will be taught in French.
  • Question Do you offer French language support for international exchange students ?
    Response
    •  
    • If you are applying as an exchange student at Sciences Po Lille, you will have the opportunity to attend French language classes (beginner, intermediate, advanced level).

    • If you are applying as a free mover, you will have the opportunity to attend French language classes (beginner, intermediate, advanced level).

    • If you are applying for a Master’s program, you will have to attend French language classes. This course is not a language support class, but it is part of the program.

    • If you are a Chinese citizen and have passed the Competitive Examination, you will have to attend a French language class. This course is not a language support class, but it is part of the program.

    • If you are applying for a Dual Degree Program, French language classes are compulsory for foreign students. As well as English, German or Spanish lessons are for French students (depending on your dual degree program).

  • Question What courses are opened to international students?
    Response
    • If you are applying as an exchange student at Sciences Po Lille, you will have access to 2nd year courses, 4th year courses as well as a group of courses for international students. Please click here to have a look at the course catalogue.
    • If you are applying as a free mover, you will have access to 2nd year courses, 4th year courses as well as a group of courses for international students. Please click here to have a look at the course catalogue.
    • If you are applying for a Master’s program, please click here to have a look at the different courses offered.
    • If you are a Chinese citizen and have passed the Competitive Examination, please click here to have a look at the different courses offered.
    • If you are applying for a Dual Degree Program you are not considered as an international student then you will have to follow the same courses as a 1st year French student. To have an overview of the courses please click here.
  • Question When will I register to courses?
    Response
    • If you are applying as an exchange student at Sciences Po Lille, you will complete your online course registration after your arrival at Sciences Po Lille.
    • If you are applying as a free mover, you will complete your online course registration after your arrival at Sciences Po Lille.
    • If you are applying for a Master’s program, you will complete your online course registration around mid-September.
    • If you are a Chinese citizen and have passed the Competitive Examination, you will complete your online course registration around mid-September.
    • If you are applying for a Dual Degree Program, by the beginning of July you need to be present for Dual Degree Meeting held for the new students. During this meeting you will be given useful information concerning each diploma, courses, registration, and so on.
  • Question Is there an Orientation Week for international students?
    Response
    • If you are applying as an exchange student at Sciences Po Lille, you will attend an introductive seminar just before your semester starts (in September or January, depending on when you will join us). During this seminar, you will attend courses of French language and Methodology.
    • If you are applying as a free mover, you will attend the same seminar as the students coming on student exchange.
    • If you are applying for a Master’s program, you will attend an Orientation Week at the beginning of September.
    • If you are a Chinese citizen and have passed the Competitive Examination, you will attend an Orientation Week at the beginning of September.
    • If you are applying for a Dual Degree Program you need to attend a compulsory introductive seminar at early September just before the semester starts. During one week, you will follow different courses as Intercultural workshop, Methodology or Economy Seminars.

Fees and expenses

  • Question Are there tuition fees?
    Response
    • If you are applying as an exchange student at Sciences Po Lille, the school will not charge you for tuition fees.
    • If you are applying as a free mover, you will have to pay tuitions fees. (from 1 300 to 3 200 € )
    • If you are applying for a Master’s program, you will have to pay tuitions fees. (from 300€ to 3 200 € )
    • If you are a Chinese citizen and have passed the Competitive Examination, you will have to pay tuition fees (3 200€)
    • If you are applying for a Dual Degree Program, tuition fees will depend of program of your choice, your parent’s incomes and year of studies (if you are at Sciences Po Lille or at a partner university).

    For students holding a French scholarship for 2017-2018 academic year (CROUS or French Government scholarship – Campus France) there exists a special tuition fee of 5,10 euros (amount for 2017-2018).

    All other scholarships are not valid in France.

Health Insurance

  • Question Is it compulsory to pay for a health insurance?
    Response

    Students coming from countries outside the European Union will have to pay the French social insurance (215€ in 2017/2018). The international or personal insurance will not be accepted. While applying for your visa, it is not necessary for you to ask for an insurance policy covering health costs during your stay in France.

    The EU students must bring the European health card. (so you will not be required to pay the French health insurance) (http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559)

Housing

  • Question Am I eligible for financial housing support?
    Response

    You can apply for the “Aides au Logement” (national accommodation subsidy). This is a subsidy from the French state. Once you have signed your accommodation contract, you can apply through the CAF (French administration in charge of processing the applications) website: www.caf.fr

  • Question How can I get support in finding my accommodation?
    Response

    The International Students Association (BDI in French, Bureau des Internationaux) will help you in several matters, especially the ones linked to accommodation.

    Sciences Po Lille is a member of the Housing Anywhere platform, on which you can find lots of offers.

    You can also have a look at our Housing Guide.

  • Question Can I make a reservation in advance for an apartment?
    Response

    This kind of system does not really exist. We strongly recommend that you don’t pay anything for a flat while you are in your home country, to avoid ripoff.

  • Question How much will I pay for an apartment?
    Response

    The prices vary depending on the location and the type of room you wish to rent. However, be prepared to pay up to two months' rent before moving in (one month rent in advance and a one-month "security deposit").

  • Question Is it difficult to find housing downtown?
    Response

    You can find housing in the centre of the city, as there is a huge offer for student accommodation. Don’t forget that Sciences Po Lille is quite close to the centre of the town, so you will be able to come to the school easily.

  • Question What kinds of accommodation are available?
    Response

    Apartments are available within walking or "commuting distance" (can be reached by public transportation or even walking) from the school.