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European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree BA

Sciences Po (various campuses), France for years 1 and 2; London (Bloomsbury) for years 3 and 4

Embrace the reputations of UCL and Sciences Po in France through this dual degree that gives you expert knowledge and key transferable skills. This degree enables you to specialise in a humanities or social science subject, and gain high proficiency in a European language. You’ll also develop a core understanding of economics, law, history, sociology and politics. Graduates go on to work in sectors including financial services, international development and education.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£29,800
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
R992
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
A*AA
Subjects
A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A* required for full Economics specialism if chosen. French or Spanish required at grade A if one of these is to be studied as a major language. Other language requirements may apply depending on the campus chosen - see www.ucl.ac.uk/r992-entry.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
A*AB or AAB more about contextual offers
Subjects
A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A* required for full Economics specialism if chosen. French or Spanish required at A grade if one of these is to be studied as a major language. Other language requirements may apply depending on the campus chosen - see www.ucl.ac.uk/r992-entry.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
39
Subjects
A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Higher level subjects to include French B or Spanish B at grade 6 if one of these is to be studied as a major language. A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) at higher level is normally a requirement. Mathematics at grade 7 at higher level is required for the full Economics specialism, if chosen. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level. Other language requirements may apply depending on the campus chosen - see www.ucl.ac.uk/r992-entry).

Contextual offer

Points
36 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 17 in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Higher level subjects to include French B, or Spanish B at grade 6 if either of these is to be studied as a major language. A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) at higher level is normally a requirement. Mathematics at grade 7 at higher level is required for the full Economics specialism, if chosen. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level. Other language requirements may apply depending on the campus chosen - see www.ucl.ac.uk/r992-entry.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. French or Spanish required if taken as major, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at D2 required for full Economics specialism if chosen.

A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher). French or Spanish required at Advanced Higher if taken as major, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A1 required for full Economics specialism if chosen.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Additional tests

TARA Admissions Test

For the 2026 cycle, alongside the UCAS application, UCL will require all applicants to sit the TARA (The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions) run by University Admissions Tests UK.

TARA is a new test available from 2026. It is a non-subject-specific test designed to assess essential skills required for undergraduate study. There will be an entry fee for the test. More information about the test will be shortly available on University Admissions Tests UK website.


Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

You will undertake language study throughout the programme, selecting and focusing on one language. The languages available are French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. You will spend the first two years of study at Sciences Po at one of the following five campuses: Paris, Poitiers, Menton, Nancy and Dijon. For each of these languages, the destinations are as follows:

  • French - Poitiers, Menton, Nancy or Dijon
  • Spanish - Poitiers or Dijon
  • German - Nancy, Dijon or Paris
  • Italian - Dijon, Menton or Paris
  • Portuguese - Poitiers

Please refer to the table of languages for the required language level at each Sciences Po campus.

You will study at UCL's Bloomsbury campus in your 3rd and 4th year. You will continue studying your chosen language and select a social science or humanities specialisms.

What this course will give you

Spend your first two years of study at Sciences Po, the top ranking institution for politics in France.*

Benefit from UCL's renowned teaching system and the insights and reputation of its humanities, language and social science scholars and from the expertise of their European counterparts.

The complement of social science and humanities specialisms on offer at UCL and Sciences Po enables a cohesive programme of study throughout your degree.

The programme offers international mobility and an overseas experience. These features are invaluable assets for all young graduates starting a career. This dual degree programme gives you the wide-ranging employability of graduates in PPE or international relations, but with the added maturity of studying abroad for an extended period, and the advantage of fluency in a foreign language – essential for anyone seeking a career in an international context, and increasingly valuable for the financial sector or media posts.

This degree is especially valuable for those considering international career opportunities. Graduates of the dual degree are eligible to apply for further study at Sciences Po which may open up access to working opportunities in the EU.

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Politics

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Modules fall into two groupings: language modules and humanities or social science modules.

You will specialise in one of these major subjects: Economics, History, International Relations, Philosophy, and Politics. 

If you intend to specialise in Economics, Law or History while at UCL, you must take optional modules in the relevant discipline at Sciences Po. At UCL, language departments offer modules in language acquisition, literature, linguistics, history, history of ideas, art, films and social, political or cultural studies. The options offered vary by language department.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Compulsory modules

Sciences Po Year 1


Compulsory modules

Sciences Po Year 2


Optional modules








Optional modules





Ideologies and Political Hegemony


Principles of Public International Law


Your learning

Your timetable will involve a programme of lectures, seminars and tutorials. As well as the core modules and modules designed specifically for students of this dual degree at Sciences Po and UCL, you will choose options in other departments according to your area of specialisation. This gives you access to an array of teaching approaches at UCL.

Typical weekly contact hours vary depending on the year of study and on the choice of language and specialism. As a general rule, students spend between 10 and 15 hours per week in class. Approximately 50% of your time is spent in lectures and 50% in seminars or tutorials. Students typically dedicate 15-20 hours per week to independent study.

Assessment

Your work will be assessed by a variety of means, which may include written examinations, oral examinations, coursework and presentations.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: European and International Social and Political Studies

—

Join us at this online event to learn more about the programmes taught from UCL European and International Social and Political Studies (EISPS). Our programmes are challenging, flexible, and diverse, at a university known for academic innovation, open access and the quality of its teaching.

Online - Open day

European and International Social and Political Sciences information video

Watch this video to find out more about European and International Social and Political Sciences at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

Graduates from this dual degree combine specialised knowledge of a humanities subject or social science with a broad foundation in economics, law, history, sociology and politics as well as proficiency in another language(s). In addition, they have the experiences and independence gained by studying in two countries. Graduates are also able to demonstrate their aptitude for research, having written a research essay in their final year (optional).

Some examples of graduate employment from the programme include: PwC, UK Government, Banque des Territoires, Santander Bank, EY, the European Parliament and the House of Commons.*

*Graduate Outcomes Survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017 - 2022 cohorts. 

Employability

The Dual Degree gives you the wide-ranging employability of graduates in PPE or international relations but with the added maturity of study in two different countries, along with the advantage of fluency in a European language, essential for anyone seeking a career in a European context and increasingly valuable for the financial sector or media posts.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £29,800

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

The department strives to keep additional costs low. Books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL library, ashard copies or via e-journal subscriptions. We offer one optional module which includes a field trip to Brussels. Students who select this module will be asked to contribute to the cost (approximately £300-400). We also offer optional extra-curricular events in Term 3 which may incur additional costs. The cost of these activities will vary depending on what you choose to attend.

Please note that study abroad during your programme at UCL is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

During the first two years of the programme, you will pay fees to Sciences Po. You can find details about tuition fees and financial aid at Sciences Po on their website. During the third and fourth year, you will pay fees to UCL. 

Applicants for the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship must apply for the scholarship when applying for the programme. Applications cannot be considered at a later stage. If the application is successful, the scholarship will cover the period of study at UCL only.

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We are seeking applicants who are intellectually curious, up to date on current affairs and passionate about learning about other countries with different languages and cultures. They appreciate the flexibility of our programmes, and are able to work independently in a demanding, interdisciplinary academic environment.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

The Dual Degree has approximately 20 places on the programme.

There is a three-stage selection process for this programme. The first stage is based on your UCAS application, which we use to select candidates for the second stage, an online admissions test. High scoring candidates will subsequently be invited to attend an online interview conducted by staff from Sciences Po. 

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

European and International Social and Political Studies
European and International Social and Political Studies

eisps.admissions@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students. Sciences Po is regulated by the Ministry of National Education.