Émile Boutmy Scholarship
Sciences Po — Complete Guide

Scholarship Overview

The Émile Boutmy Scholarship is Sciences Po's premier merit-based award for exceptional international students from outside the European Union. Named after Émile Boutmy, the political scientist who founded Sciences Po (the Paris Institute of Political Studies) in 1872, the scholarship was created with a clear purpose: to attract the world's most talented students to Paris and ensure that financial barriers do not prevent the best minds from studying at one of Europe's most prestigious institutions.

Sciences Po occupies a unique place in global higher education. It is ranked #2 in the world for Politics & International Studies by QS Subject Rankings (consistently placing directly behind Harvard), and has produced an extraordinary alumni body — including five French Presidents (Emmanuel Macron, François Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy, Jacques Chirac, and Georges Pompidou), 13 French Prime Ministers, 12 foreign heads of state, and the leaders of many of France's largest companies.

The Boutmy Scholarship fund is supported by private sponsors — including Chalhoub Group, Fondation Geneviève McMillan-Reba Stewart, L'Oréal, and Michel David-Weill — who are committed to enabling deserving non-EU students to access this world-class education. Unlike many government scholarship programmes, the Boutmy Scholarship is administered entirely by Sciences Po's own Admissions Department, and applications are made directly through your Sciences Po programme application — there is no separate portal or bilateral nomination process.

Exact Financial Package — What You Receive

The Émile Boutmy Scholarship is a tuition fee exemption, not a monthly living stipend. This is an important distinction: Sciences Po's tuition fees for non-EU students are significant, so the Boutmy award represents a substantial financial saving even though it does not directly cover rent or food. Here is the exact breakdown:

Who Can Apply — Eligibility Requirements

Core Eligibility Criteria (All Four Must Be Met)

1. First-time applicant to Sciences Po. You must never have previously been enrolled at Sciences Po as a degree-seeking student. Exchange students who studied at Sciences Po may apply. Former students who completed a degree cannot apply again.
2. Non-European Union citizen. You must be a citizen of a country outside the European Union. Swiss and Norwegian citizens are also ineligible (they qualify for CROUS scholarships instead). If you hold dual citizenship and one of those citizenships is from an EU member state, you are ineligible.
3. Household does not file taxes within the European Union. This refers to your parents' (or guardian's) tax residence, not your own. Even if you currently live in an EU country, what matters is where your family declares their taxes. If your parents file taxes anywhere in the EU, you are ineligible. Exceptions may be made for students who can demonstrate financial independence.
4. Admitted to an eligible Sciences Po programme. The scholarship is only available to students who have already applied for and been accepted to an eligible Bachelor's or Master's programme. The scholarship application is embedded within your programme application — you cannot apply for the scholarship alone.

Who Is NOT Eligible (Important Exclusions)

Language Requirements

Sciences Po programmes are taught in English, French, or both. The language requirement depends on the specific programme you are applying for:

• English-taught programmes: TOEFL iBT ≥100 or IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent). Many programmes also accept Duolingo English Test scores — check programme-specific requirements.
• French-taught or bilingual programmes: DELF/DALF B2 or higher in French is commonly required, in addition to English proficiency.
• Language test results must be submitted by your Boutmy scholarship application deadline. Expired test scores (typically over 2 years old) may not be accepted.

Eligible Programmes & Sciences Po Schools

The Boutmy scholarship is available across Sciences Po's main academic tracks. Sciences Po organises its graduate studies into specialised schools, each focused on a distinct professional domain:

Check Your Eligibility & Track Your Documents

Use these interactive tools to check if you qualify, build your personalised document checklist, and explore your options — all in one place.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

The Boutmy Scholarship application is embedded directly within your Sciences Po programme application — unlike most scholarships, there is no separate portal or bilateral nomination process. This means the quality of your overall Sciences Po application determines your scholarship outcome. Here is the full process:

Master's Level Application

1. Choose your deadline window (September–October)
   Sciences Po offers two Master's application rounds: October 19 (1st committee — results before December 30) and November 30 (2nd committee — results before March 2). Round 1 is generally more competitive but gives you a faster decision. Round 2 has a smaller pool of remaining places. Applying earlier signals stronger commitment and gives you more time to plan.
2. Create your Sciences Po application account
   Go to sciencespo.fr/admissions and begin your application for your chosen Master's programme. Select your school (PSIA, School of Law, School of Public Affairs, etc.) and specific programme carefully — your application will be evaluated by that school's admissions committee.
3. Indicate Boutmy Scholarship interest in "Financial Information"
   Within your Sciences Po application form, there is a section called "Financial Information." You must explicitly tick the option indicating you are applying for the Émile Boutmy scholarship. Failing to do this means you will not be considered for the award, regardless of your application quality.
4. Prepare and upload all required documents
   Upload your transcripts, degree certificate, language tests, CV, and motivation letter. See the Document Checklist tab above. Your motivation letter (Statement of Purpose) is the most decisive written element — use our SOP Outliner to draft a compelling, structured letter.
5. Provide language test results by the deadline
   Your English (and/or French) language test must be submitted before the scholarship deadline. Test results sent after the deadline will not be accepted, even if your application was submitted before it. Arrange to take your test well in advance.
6. Submit your application before the deadline
   Sciences Po does not accept late submissions. The October 19 and November 30 deadlines are strict. Once submitted, you may not update your documents.
7. Admissions review and scholarship committee decision
   Only students who are admitted to their chosen programme will have their Boutmy scholarship application reviewed. The scholarship committee evaluates merit, academic excellence, and the type of profile being sought. You will receive both your admission decision and your scholarship decision together (or close in sequence).
8. Accept your offer and declare your scholarship
   If awarded, you must accept your admission offer. During administrative registration, declare your Sciences Po scholarship holder status in the registration portal and upload your signed scholarship certificate to finalise the tuition reduction.

Bachelor's Level Application (Foreign Secondary Schools)

For Bachelor's applicants from foreign (non-French) secondary schools, the process is similar but with a January 20 deadline. You apply directly through Sciences Po's international undergraduate application system — not through Parcoursup (which is only for French school applicants). Indicate your Boutmy application in the "Financial Information" section.

Bachelor's applicants from French secondary schools must first submit their Parcoursup application, then separately complete a Google Form provided by Sciences Po admissions once their Parcoursup application is validated. The deadline for these applicants is April 1st.

Tips for a Winning Application

• Sciences Po's admissions and scholarship decisions are made together. There is no separation between "admission excellence" and "scholarship excellence" — the same application determines both outcomes. Treat the entire dossier as your scholarship application.
• Your motivation letter is the most decisive factor. Sciences Po's admissions committee explicitly evaluates the "type of profile sought for each programme." Your letter must demonstrate intellectual curiosity, awareness of current events in your field, a clear professional vision connected to your chosen school, and a compelling reason why Sciences Po specifically is the right institution for you.
• Name your interest in France and Sciences Po specifically. Generic motivation letters that could apply to any international university are a red flag. Reference specific professors, research centres, courses, or alumni careers that connect to your project. Demonstrate genuine knowledge of Sciences Po's distinctiveness.
• Apply for the Eiffel Scholarship simultaneously. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is awarded by Campus France (the French government) and provides a monthly living stipend (€1,181/month for Master's). It can be combined with the Boutmy award. Applications open separately via the Campus France portal, typically in January for the following academic year.
• Apply in Round 1 (October 19) if you are ready. Round 1 generally has more available scholarship slots and gives you a decision before Christmas. Round 2 applicants may find that scholarship allocations have been reduced by the first round's awards.
• Contact your programme's School before applying (for Master's only). Some Sciences Po schools — especially PSIA and the School of Public Affairs — appreciate email outreach from prospective students. This is not required but can help you gauge fit and demonstrate genuine interest.
• Prepare a strong Europass-compatible CV. Sciences Po, being a French institution, expects a European-format CV. Use our CV Builder to generate a properly formatted version.
• Do not defer your admission if you receive the Boutmy Scholarship. Deferring your admission after being granted the scholarship results in the permanent loss of the award. If you need to defer, you must reapply for the scholarship in the next cycle — and there is no guarantee you will receive it again.

After Receiving the Award

Receiving the Boutmy Scholarship is just the start. Here is what to expect after your award:

• Accept your offer promptly. Sciences Po will set a deadline to accept your admission offer. Do this while waiting for your scholarship confirmation if needed — you can request deferral consideration separately if necessary, but delaying acceptance risks losing your place.
• Student visa (long-stay): Non-EU students need a Type D long-stay visa (Visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour — VLS-TS) to study in France. Apply through the French Embassy or consulate in your country. Your Sciences Po admission letter and scholarship certificate serve as supporting documents. Apply at least 2–3 months before your start date.
• Arrive and register at Sciences Po: Sciences Po holds an extensive Welcome and Orientation Week in September. International students are assisted with registration, student card issuance, and administrative formalities. Attend all orientation sessions — the practical information provided is essential for first-year navigation.
• Apply for housing through Sciences Po: Sciences Po does not guarantee housing but provides referrals to partner student residences near its Paris campus (in the 7th arrondissement of Paris). Apply as early as possible — Paris housing is extremely competitive. Consider also CROUS university residences (for which you may be eligible depending on your scholarship status), private student residences (Nexity, Studéa), and private flat-sharing (Appartager, PAP.fr, Facebook groups).
• Register for French social security (CVEC and Carte Vitale): Pay the Contribution de la Vie Étudiante et de Campus (CVEC — approximately €103/year, required for enrolment). Then register for French health insurance (Carte Vitale) through the national student health insurance system.
• Open a French bank account: Required for monthly stipends (if you have Eiffel or other living allowances), rent payments, and day-to-day life. BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and Boursorama (online) are popular choices. Sciences Po's student services can assist with introductory letters to some banks.
• Maintain your scholarship annually: Your Boutmy scholarship is renewed each year as long as you validate your academic year (pass your exams and complete required credits). If you fail to validate the year for any reason, the scholarship is permanently lost.

Frequently Asked Questions