Home

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
European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree BA (2024)

Students on this dual degree will benefit from the reputation and teaching specialisms of both UCL and Sciences Po in France. The programme offers specialisation in a humanities or social science subject, combined with a broad base in history, law, politics and philosophy, and fluency in a European language.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£26,200
Programme starts
September 2023
Application deadline
25 Jan 2023
UCAS course code
R992

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 5.

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 5.
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 preferred. 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 preferred. 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

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

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.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades A*AA. French or Spanish at A grade required if taken as major, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A* 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.

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.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

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.

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 one language on which to concentrate. 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

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

In the last two years at UCL you may specialise in any of these major subjects: Economics, History, International Relations, Law, 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.

What this course will give you

Spend your first two years of study at Sciences Po, the most prestigious institution for social and political sciences in France.

Benefit from UCL's world-class teaching system and the insights of its renowned humanities, language and social sciences scholars.

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 have become invaluable assets for all young graduates starting a career.

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 are 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.

Social science modules at Sciences Po are offered in French, German and Spanish at the relevant campuses.

At Sciences Po you study part of the curriculum in the language of specialisation, with the exception of German and Italian which are studied from beginner's level. If your language level in German or Italian is not at the required level by the time you join UCL in Year 3 you take language classes in the UCL Centre for Languages and International Education rather than in the Department of your major language. You do not graduate with degree level language but instead, with a BA ESPS: Dual Degree with German (or Italian) Studies.

In the last two years at UCL you may specialise in any of these major subjects: Economics, History, International Relations, Law, 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 literature, linguistics, history, history of ideas, art, films and social, political or cultural studies. The options offered vary from department to department.

Year 1 Year 2

Compulsory modules

Sciences Po Year 1


Compulsory modules

Sciences Po Year 2

Sciences Po Contributing Credits


Your learning

Your timetable will involve a programme of lectures, seminars and workshops. 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 a range of UCL's successful teaching approaches.

Approximately 25% of a student's time is spent in lectures, 25% in seminars or tutorials and the remaining time is dedicated to independent study.

Assessment

Your work will be assessed by a variety of means, including written examination, coursework  and presentation.

Accessibility

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

The foundation of your career

ESPS and Sciences Po graduates combine specialised knowledge of a humanities or social science with a broad foundation in economics, law, history, sociology and politics and importantly, proficiency in another language or languages. In addition, they have the independence gained by studying in two countries.

In particular, students are able to demonstrate their aptitude for research by writing a research essay. This unique combination yields a significant advantage when it comes to securing funding for further research or getting a foothold on a competitive career ladder.

A wide variety of sectors are open to Sciences Po and ESPS graduates including auditing, finance, journalism and media.

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, and 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 (2023/24) £9,250
Tuition fees (2023/24) £26,200

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2023/24 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: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

In addition, please note that if you wish to study abroad during your programme at UCL, this 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.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. 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

Details about financial support are available at http://www.sciencespo.fr/en/admissions-financial-aid/fees-financial-aid

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

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 breakdown of places on each of our programmes is approximately BA ESPS (40), BA ISPS (30), BA ESPS Dual Degree (20).
  • If you live in Europe and you meet (or are expected to meet) our selection criteria, you will be invited to an interview conducted by staff from Sciences Po. 
  • If you are resident in a country outside Europe you will be interviewed by telephone.

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.