The programme joins two established and highly complementary programmes in international economics and financial history (Paris) and 19th and 20th century economic history (LSE). It aims to provide students with a bilingual, interdisciplinary training for trans-national careers in international economics, trade and diplomacy and to attract high quality doctoral students with a more quantitative training.
The programme consists of a first year at Sciences Po and a second year at LSE. Students at Sciences Po take courses in macroeconomics, panel data analysis and econometrics; sociological, anthropological and economic survey techniques; international economics and economic history, with an emphasis on recent developments and policy applications, and transitional economies. This part of the programme aims to provide students with the basic toolbox of international economics and development economics, in the context of current debates over theories and policies of globalisation.
At LSE, students will follow the established MSc in Economic History. This provides students with an in-depth, comparative assessment of debates on early and late industrialisation and on globalisation since the late 19th century, and locates them in the appropriate historical and theoretical contexts. Courses consider the origin and outcomes of distinct patterns of growth in various parts of the world, the policy responses to differing growth outcomes, and the theoretical assumptions underpinning policy interventions. The programme also seeks to explain how and when some developing economies 'converged' with industrialised countries, while the growth performance of others was more erratic.
At the end of two years of successful study, students will be awarded the Master of International Affairs 'International Economic Development' from Sciences Po and the MSc in Economic History from LSE.
Year 1: Sciences Po
At Sciences Po the academic year runs from early October to the end of June. It is divided into two 14-week semesters. Sciences Po uses the ECTS credits scale. During the first year students take courses specific to the Master of International Economic Development. Students must successfully complete all necessary credits at Sciences Po in order to be able to progress to LSE in their second year. For more information on the courses to be followed and year at Sciences Po, please visit www.financesinternationales.sciences-po.fr/fr/enseignements.htm
Year 2: LSE
At LSE the year runs from October until September the following year. It comprises three terms and the summer period for completion of the dissertation. Students will enrol in the MSc in Economic History, which comprises one compulsory half unit course, three optional courses to the value of two and a half units and a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Language requirements
Applicants must demonstrate excellent proficiency in both English and French.
The acceptable English language tests for non-native speakers are TOEFL: minimum score of 627 (paper test)/263 (computer based test)/107 (internet based test) or IELTS: minimum score of 7.
A recognised university degree with at least three years of study with English as the language of instruction.
Applicants whose native language is not French must prove language ability by means of one of the following:
The French Baccalauréat
A Francophone secondary school diploma (Etudes Collégiales Canadiennes, Certificat d'Humanitiés Belge, etc)
A recognised university degree with at least three years of study with French as the language of instruction
The Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) – Level 5 – www.ciep.fr/en/tcf or the Test d'Evaluation de Français (TEF) – Level 5 – www.fda.ccip.fr + DALF C1 or C2 with no sub-score under 14. Compulsory and optional parts must be taken
Students whose native language is neither English nor French must provide proof of ability in both languages as above.
Applications are administered centrally at Sciences Po in Paris where they will be examined by a joint admissions board comprising representatives of both LSE and Sciences Po. Only successful applicants will be notified by post.
Supplementary documents
In addition to the application form, you are required to submit:
A full and official transcript of marks obtained for each year of university level education including the current year when available.
A certified copy of your undergraduate degree (if applicable). Documents written in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation into one of the above languages.
A personal statement to be submitted in both English and French. In no more then 1,000 words, please describe your background, your career objectives in the field and how obtaining the LSE/Sciences Po Double Degree will help you to achieve those objectives.
Two letters of recommendation. These can either be in French or English. They must be submitted online via email to admissions@sceinces-po.fr or placed in an envelope sealed and signed on the back by the referee before being added to the application file.
A résumé in French or English.
Optional: professional reference
Items 1 to 3 can be submitted as scanned attachments to the online application form. References may be submitted online or by post, fax or email.