When real-world elections become study material
One of the first surprises Ioana experienced as a student at Sciences Po was how closely the curriculum was tied to actual political events.
"When the presidential elections took place in France, the entire semester was adapted around them. In our political analysis classes, we discussed every candidate, their platform, their communication strategies. We held debates and simulations, they had us take on roles and prepare as if we were part of a real election campaign."
Everything was designed to go "in depth," she says. It was not just theory being taught, but rather the practice of looking critically at reality.
During the week of the televised debate between the candidates, the university organized a special evening: a big screen and live commentary. All of it followed, the next day, by a cool and structured analysis in class.
The same approach was applied to the elections in Germany, to Brexit, and during the populist campaigns across Europe.
"We studied Nigel Farage's poster in detail, the one with the migrants. They taught us how to verify the images in posters using Google Images, to see whether they were taken out of context. That is how we found out that the photo in question was not from the UK, as the campaign suggested."
Exercises like these are not exceptions, but an integral part of everyday education at Sciences Po.
From speech to debate: oratory becomes an academic skill
Another thing that stayed with Ioana was the emphasis placed on "performative eloquence", the art of delivering a speech not only through its content, but also through gesture, intonation, and stage presence.
"At first it felt strange to me how theatrical everything was. But then I understood that it is not just about knowing what you are saying, but also how you say it. We wrote speeches, presented them, learned diction, control of gestures, timing, everything."
Elements of creative writing were combined with political analysis and rhetorical techniques. A good speech did not mean only convincing content, but also the ability to create emotion, to capture attention, and to "hold the audience."
Ioana had given speeches before too, she had taken part, in high school, in all sorts of conferences and had even spoken in the European Parliament. Even so, she was deeply impressed by how rigorously oratory was treated at university.
On top of that, students were trained to answer difficult questions from their professors, who were often recognized specialists in their field. This way, you learned not only to defend an opinion, but to defend it with evidence.
The university is a political ecosystem (mock parties, councils, top guests)
Sciences Po works almost like a political microcosm. On campus there are student associations that mirror real political parties, "students for liberalism," "students for the left," and so on. Internal elections are held, there is a council of representatives, platforms are drafted, and debates take place.
"There was even a visit from Francois Hollande on campus. He gave a speech about the future of the European Union and the Franco-German space. Something like that is not at all unusual at Sciences Po. Politicians see political science faculties as nurseries for future leaders or consultants."
In addition, almost every week there were guests: former ministers, public policy experts, political journalists, who spoke openly with the students. It was not just theoretical education, but a constant confrontation with contemporary political reality.
Political scientist, not politician. And that makes a big difference.
A basic principle taught at Sciences Po is that studying political science does not make you a politician, but an expert. Politicians come from all kinds of fields, but in order to have a real role in understanding and shaping politics, you have to learn how institutions work, how laws are drafted, what the mechanisms of public consultation are, and how constitutional systems function.
"The professors always told us that if we want to do politics within a state, we have to know its system very well. And most of my colleagues did not even want to join parties, but rather to work in consulting, public administration, international organizations."
This distinction between being "politically engaged" and being a "political actor" is an essential one in the education Sciences Po provides.
It is not a faculty for the undecided
In Romania there is often the prejudice that if you do not know what you want to do, you go into international relations or political science. The reality, however, is that a university program like this demands a high level of dedication.
"We had to read enormously, around 450 pages a week. But, above all, you had to stay constantly tuned in to current events. To know what was happening in Europe, in the Middle East, in the US. Without a real passion for politics, you did not stand a chance."
It is a field where you do not survive on the degree alone. You need constant curiosity, the ability to connect information, to recognize patterns, and to navigate through nuances.
Why does this education matter, especially now?
In a tense political context, such as the one in Romania in 2025, interest in politics is exploding, but sometimes only on the surface. That is precisely why a program like the one at Sciences Po has value that is not only professional, but civic.
It teaches young people how to think critically, how to recognize manipulation, how to analyze, to argue, and to take an informed part in democratic life.
And perhaps, more important than anything, it teaches them that politics does not begin and end with elections, but is present every single day, in the big and small decisions that shape our lives.
FAQ
What can you do after finishing Sciences Po?
Sciences Po graduates end up in fields such as political consulting, public administration, journalism, NGOs, diplomacy, international organizations (like the UN, the EU, the World Bank), but also in academia or the private sector, in think tanks and political analysis companies.
Many choose to continue their studies with a master's or a doctorate in related fields: international relations, public policy, law, or economics.
How hard is it to get into political science at Sciences Po?
The overall acceptance rate at Sciences Po is around 14-20%, but it varies depending on the campus and the program.
At Upgrade, we have a 60% rate for our students.
Are there scholarships for Romanian students?
Yes, there is both financial aid and scholarships. These are based on family income, which makes Sciences Po an accessible option for many students.