Lille

Sciences Po Lille Summer School

Sciences Po Lille is one of France's "Grandes Écoles" for International Relations, and is located just 1 hour Northeast from Paris, 40 minutes from Brussels and less than 2 hours from London.

Sciences Po Lille's summer school is a highly selective program offering a look into challenges facing the EU, encouraging student-led solutions to real-world issues, while offering a French language and cultural immersion program. Attend courses taught by esteemed guest lecturers from around the globe, and gain experiential learning into challenges facing European governance and the UN. As a part of the summer school you will have an opportunity to study the art of French Cooking, and take day trips to Paris and Brussels, experience a tour of the city of Lille, and more fun social outings.

 

Key information

Location

Lille, France

Language

English, French

Semester

Summer

Program type

Exchange

Application information

Application status

Open

Apply Now

Summer 2025 applications

First come, first considered for remaining space. Final deadline January 5, 2025

University-specific additional requirements

No reference letter required; minimum GPA 2.7. See Eligibility section below for details.

Summer 2026 applications

Open October 1, 2025

Program details

Areas of Study: The Sciences Po Lille Summer School consists of intensive short-term programs taught in English with unique theme(s) each year.

2024 courses:

Rethinking the European Union 

Europe & Violence

Religion in the migration experience: from state policies to family strategies 

Philosophical Construction of Europe and its Critics

Plus French language courses

The program also includes field trips to Paris and Brussels and more local activities. 

Course Credits:
6 ECTS = 3 UCalgary units (1 half-course). 
UCalgary students must take at least 2 classes on this program (6 ECTS) in order to receive credit. Sciences Po Lille allows students to take up to 4 classes (12 ECTS), which will transfer back to your degree as 2 UCalgary half-courses.

The summer program at Lille runs from late June to late July each year. For details click here.

Students wishing to extend their studies into a semester-long program can also apply for the semester/year long exchange to Lille.

  1. Costs

    Students pay tuition to UCalgary. Rest of the fees paid to the host school include a 100€ registration fee and 800€ accommodation fee. 

    Also, don't forget to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations etc in your budget planning.

    Lille cost comparison vs. Calgary: Click Here

  2. Funding

    Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange?   
    Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.

    Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.

Information on accommodation can be found on the summer school accommodation page

Housing is located walking distance from campus.

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-).

Although most courses are taught in English for the summer program, we do recommend that students have completed at least one year of French at the university level (or possess the equivalent skills) before participating in this exchange, to help with daily life.

 

For more information on the program, check the FAQ Summer School page


Have questions?

Global Learning 101

Please watch this short YouTube playlist before reaching out or booking an appointment. In these videos, you will learn much of the basics about Global Learning, which may answer your initial questions.

Watch Global Learning 101

Academic Advising

Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how this program might align with your degree (e.g. best time to go, what courses you need).

After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/transfer credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.

Find your academic advisor

Global Learning Advising

If you have questions, please reach out to our office! We offer drop-in advising for general inquiries, and if you have questions about this specific program or any others, you can book an appointment with the responsible advisor.

Please use the link below to find the most up-to-date information about our current advising options.

View the Global Learning Advising page

The exchange advisor for this program is: Flavien Niederst

How to Apply

Download the application guide

This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.

Application guide

Identify three programs of interest

We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.

Check requirements and deadlines

These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.

Start your application

Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!

Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.

APPLY NOW

International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.

For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.

If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.

Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.