Sciences Po Emile Boutmy Scholarship 2026

Overview

The Emile Boutmy Scholarship is Sciences Po's main financial aid programme for international students from outside the European Union. Named after the founder of Sciences Po in 1872, the scholarship is open to first-time applicants admitted to either the three-year undergraduate programme or the two-year Master's programme at any Sciences Po campus in France.

Undergraduate students can receive either a complete tuition exemption or a fixed annual reduction of EUR 9,500. Master's students can receive an EUR 18,500 annual exemption from tuition fees across both years. Selection is merit-based, drawn from the admissions application itself. Candidates must check the box in the financial information section of their Sciences Po application to be considered. The award renews for the full duration of the degree as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress and continue to meet the financial criteria.

Sciences Po ranks among Europe's top social science universities, and the Emile Boutmy Scholarship is one of the most generous non-EU awards offered by a French institution.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Sciences Po (Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris)
Host Country	France
Degree Levels	Bachelor's, Master's
Value	Undergraduate: full tuition exemption or EUR 9,500/year reduction. Master's: EUR 18,500/year tuition exemption
Deadline	January 2026
Duration	Undergraduate: 3 years. Master's: 2 years (renewable annually subject to conditions)
Eligible Nationalities	Non-EU citizens whose household does not file taxes within the European Union
Official Website	https://www.sciencespo.fr/students/en/fees-funding/bursaries-financial-aid/emile-boutmy-scholarship/

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You must have strong enough academic results to gain admission to Sciences Po. For undergraduates, that means excellent secondary school results. For Master's applicants, a strong bachelor's degree with high marks. Academic excellence is the primary selection factor.

Nationality Requirements

You must be a citizen of a non-EU country. Swiss and Norwegian nationals are not eligible. Dual EU citizenship holders are excluded. Quebec applicants for Master's programmes are also ineligible. Your household must not file taxes within the European Union.

Language Requirements

Programmes taught in English require English proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 100). Programmes taught in French require French proficiency (DELF B2 or TCF B2 minimum). Some programmes are bilingual and require both.

Work Experience

No work experience is required for either undergraduate or Master's applicants.

Other Requirements

The scholarship is only for first-time applicants. Students already enrolled at Sciences Po cannot apply. Excluded programmes: Journalism dual-degree programmes, one-year Master's programmes, and PhD programmes. You must check the Emile Boutmy Scholarship box in the financial information section of your application.

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition exemption for undergraduate students (highest tier)
• EUR 9,500 annual tuition reduction for undergraduate students (second tier)
• EUR 18,500 annual tuition exemption for Master's students
• Covers the full duration of the programme (3 years undergraduate, 2 years Master's)
• Renewable each year with satisfactory academic progress and continued financial eligibility
• Access to Sciences Po's career services, internship networks, and alumni community
• Study across Sciences Po's multi-campus system: Paris, Reims, Le Havre, Menton, Nancy, Dijon, and Poitiers
• Combinable with other external funding sources (subject to Sciences Po approval)

How to Apply

1. Verify Your Eligibility: Confirm you are a non-EU citizen, that your household does not file taxes in the EU, and that you are applying to Sciences Po for the first time. Make sure your target programme is eligible (not a journalism dual-degree, one-year Master's, or PhD).
2. Prepare Your Application Materials: Gather academic transcripts, language proficiency test results, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and any other documents your programme requires. You will also need financial documentation for the scholarship.
3. Submit Your Sciences Po Application Online: Apply through the Sciences Po online portal. In the 'Financial Information' section, check the box indicating you want to be considered for the Emile Boutmy Scholarship.
4. Provide Financial Documentation: Upload or submit financial documents showing your household's tax situation and financial circumstances. The scholarship committee needs these to assess your application.
5. Submit Before the Relevant Deadline: Undergraduate applicants from international schools: January 20, 2026. Applicants from French schools: April 1, 2026. Master's applicants have two committee deadlines: October 19, 2025 or November 30, 2025.
6. Await Admission and Scholarship Results: The scholarship decision comes with the admission decision. Undergraduate results arrive before mid-May. Master's first committee results come before December 30; second committee results before March 2.

Required Documents

• Completed Sciences Po online application form
• Academic transcripts from secondary school (undergraduate) or university (Master's)
• Diploma or proof of expected graduation
• English and/or French language proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, DELF, or TCF)
• Personal essays or written exercises as specified by the programme
• Letters of recommendation (two academic references)
• CV or resume (Master's applicants)
• Financial documentation proving household tax residence outside the EU
• Copy of valid passport

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	September 2025 for Master's programmes; October 2025 for undergraduate programmes
Application Deadline	Undergraduate (international): January 20, 2026. Master's: October 19, 2025 (1st) or November 30, 2025 (2nd)
Results Announced	Undergraduate: before mid-May 2026. Master's 1st committee: before December 30, 2025. Master's 2nd committee: before March 2, 2026
Course Start	September 2026

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Show genuine intellectual curiosity about the social sciences and explain how Sciences Po's interdisciplinary approach fits your goals.
• Connect your personal background and experiences to your chosen campus and programme specialisation.
• Demonstrate awareness of Sciences Po's global outlook and what you will bring to campus diversity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to tick the Emile Boutmy Scholarship box in the financial information section of the application.
• Applying as a Swiss, Norwegian, or dual-EU citizen without realising these nationalities are excluded.
• Submitting financial documents that do not clearly show household tax residence outside the EU.
• Missing the earlier Master's committee deadline, which locks you out of the first round of awards.
• Applying for ineligible programmes like journalism dual-degrees or one-year Master's.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Emile Boutmy Scholarship need-based or merit-based?

Primarily merit-based, awarded to the strongest non-EU applicants. Financial circumstances are also considered when determining the award level.

Can I apply for the Emile Boutmy Scholarship after I have already enrolled at Sciences Po?

No. The scholarship is only for first-time applicants. Students already enrolled cannot apply.

What is the difference between the full tuition exemption and the EUR 9,500 reduction for undergraduates?

The full exemption waives the entire tuition fee. The EUR 9,500 reduction lowers your annual tuition by that fixed amount. Which one you get depends on your academic profile and financial situation.

Is the scholarship renewable?

It renews each year for the full programme duration, as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress and still meet the financial eligibility criteria.

Does the scholarship cover living expenses?

No. It covers only tuition fees. You must fund living expenses, accommodation, and health insurance yourself. Sciences Po estimates living costs in Paris at about EUR 1,200–1,500 per month.

Can I apply to both the undergraduate and Master's programmes at the same time?

No. You must apply to one programme level at a time. Scholarship criteria and deadlines differ for each.

Are students from Quebec eligible for the Emile Boutmy Scholarship?

Quebec students applying for the undergraduate programme are eligible, but those applying for the Master's programme are not, due to bilateral agreements between Sciences Po and Quebec institutions.

How competitive is the Emile Boutmy Scholarship?

Sciences Po receives thousands of international applications each year, and only the top non-EU candidates receive the scholarship. A strong academic record and compelling essays are essential.

Can I combine the Emile Boutmy Scholarship with other funding?

In principle, yes. You may combine it with external sources like government scholarships from your home country. Inform Sciences Po of any other awards and confirm compatibility.

What if I am admitted but not awarded the scholarship?

You can still enrol and pay standard tuition. Sciences Po also offers other financial aid options, including need-based bursaries and payment instalments.

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