I wrote this guide after reading the official Sciences Po scholarship, admissions, language, and visa pages on October 27, 2026. The award is not a stand-alone application. You apply to Sciences Po first, tick the scholarship box inside that application, and the scholarship is decided only if you are admitted.
Below you will find the rules in plain English, a time zone table for Pakistan, the US, and other regions, and separate sections for Pakistani, US, and other international applicants. People often type the name without the accent, so you may also know it as the Emile Boutmy scholarship.
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| Émile Boutmy Scholarship 2027: a tuition exemption at Sciences Po for admitted non-EU applicants. |
Émile Boutmy Scholarship 2027 at Sciences Po | France
Quick Facts
These facts come from the official Sciences Po scholarship and admissions pages, checked on October 27, 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Émile Boutmy Scholarship, offered by Sciences Po in France |
| Funding type | Partial Funding: a tuition fee exemption. The official page lists no living allowance, housing, or travel support. |
| Bachelor's award | A total exemption or an exemption of €9,500 from tuition fees, awarded for the first year of study |
| Master's award | An exemption of €18,500 from tuition fees for each of the two years of a two-year master's program |
| Who can apply | First-time Sciences Po applicants from a non-EU state whose household does not file taxes in the EU, and who are admitted |
| Master's deadline | November 29, 2026, 11:59 PM Paris time (second committee). The first committee closed on October 18, 2026. |
| Bachelor's deadline | January 13, 2027 for foreign secondary schools. April 1, 2027 for French secondary schools. |
| How to apply | Select the scholarship in the Financial information section of the Sciences Po application |
| Application fee | €150, non-refundable, with a short list of waivers |
| Official time zone | Paris time, with deadlines at 11:59 PM on the admissions pages |
Master's applicants: November 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM Paris time, which is about 3:59 AM PKT on November 30, 2026. Bachelor's applicants from foreign secondary schools: January 13, 2027. No scholarship request is accepted after the deadline.
- Quick Facts
- Overview
- Who Can Apply
- How Winners Are Selected
- Funding and Benefits
- Required Documents
- English Language Requirements
- Costs
- Application Procedure
- Deadlines and Time Zones
- Residence Permit and Visa
- For Pakistani Applicants
- For US Applicants
- For Other International Applicants
- After You Receive an Offer
- Common Mistakes
- Scam Warning Signs
- How to Apply Safely
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words
- Official Links
- Read More
Overview of the Émile Boutmy Scholarship
Sciences Po created this scholarship to welcome strong international students from outside the European Union. It is named after Émile Boutmy, who founded Sciences Po in 1872. Private sponsors support the fund, and the official page names Chalhoub Group, Fondation Geneviève McMillan-Reba Stewart, L'Oréal, and Michel David-Weill.
In plain terms, the award lowers what you owe Sciences Po in tuition. It does not, as far as the official page says, pay for rent, food, flights, or insurance. That is why I classify it as Partial Funding and not as a fully funded scholarship.
Degree levels covered
Two levels are covered, and both start with your first year at Sciences Po.
- Bachelor's: the three-year Sciences Po Bachelor's degree in social sciences and humanities.
- Master's: two-year master's programs only. One-year master's programs and PhD programs are excluded.
Programs and subjects
The scholarship page does not list subjects. Eligibility depends on the type of program, not the field of study. For master's study, Sciences Po lists eight graduate schools, and I read that list as the best map of the subject areas on offer.
- School of Public Affairs
- Paris School of International Affairs
- Law School
- Urban School
- School of Management and Impact
- School of Journalism (the Master in Journalism and the Joint Master in Journalism and International Affairs are not eligible)
- School of Research
- Paris Climate School
Bachelor's students choose from campus-based minors on the regional campuses (Dijon, Le Havre, Menton, Nancy, Poitiers, and Reims). The international pathway excludes the general program on the Paris campus, which is open only to applicants with a French secondary education.
Who Can Apply for the Scholarship
This section covers eligibility only. How winners are chosen is a separate question, answered in the next section. Sciences Po sets the rules at the household level, so read the tax residence point carefully.
Core requirements
- You are a first-time applicant to Sciences Po.
- You are from a non-European Union state.
- Your household does not file taxes within the European Union.
- You are admitted to an eligible bachelor's or two-year master's program.
Sciences Po looks at the tax residence of your parents, not only your own. If you live in the EU but your parents do not, you may still apply. To have your own residence counted, you must qualify for financial independence under the rules on the Sciences Po financial independence page.
Not eligible: citizenship and residence
- Swiss and Norwegian applicants.
- Applicants with dual citizenship where one citizenship is from an EU member state.
- Quebec applicants to a master's program. Quebec applicants to a bachelor's program are eligible.
Not eligible: program type
- PhD (thesis) programs and one-year master's programs.
- The Joint Master's in Journalism and International Affairs and the Master's in Journalism.
- Master's dual degrees, except the Sciences Po and Columbia University journalism dual degree, and the Fudan University (Europe-Asia concentration) and Peking University dual degrees for applicants with Chinese nationality only.
- Bachelor's dual degrees, unless a specific agreement applies.
Not eligible: application route
- Exchange students applying as exchange students. A former exchange student may apply if the criteria are met.
- Applicants using the French graduate admission procedure.
- Anyone already enrolled at Sciences Po, or anyone applying after admission.
How Winners Are Selected
The official page says the award is based on merit and on the profile Sciences Po seeks for each program. The scholarship decision is tied to admissions, and excellence is judged only through the review of your application. I did not find a separate scholarship essay, so your admission file is also your scholarship file.
Bachelor's: four evaluations
The international bachelor's procedure scores four parts for a final mark out of 100. The first three evaluations make up the application, worth 50 points in total.
- Final secondary school results, judged against school transcripts. There are no specific subject requirements.
- Academic performance and progress over your last three years of school.
- Three written answers on your motivations and academic project (1,500 to 2,000 characters each, with the third unmarked).
- A remote interview of about 25 minutes, worth 50 points, with an introduction of up to two minutes, an image commentary, and a discussion of your motivations.
Sciences Po says texts written with a third party or an AI tool are recognizable and may earn a mark of 0 if plagiarism is suspected. The interview is also not meant to be AI-assisted.
Master's: two stages
The international master's procedure has an admissibility stage and an admission stage. Only admitted applicants are reviewed for the scholarship, so you first get your admission decision and then, separately, the scholarship result. There is no waiting list, and committee decisions are final.
Funding and Benefits
The award is a tuition fee exemption. Amounts are in euros, and I have not converted them, because exchange rates change daily.
First-year award
A total exemption or an exemption of €9,500 from tuition fees.
Two-year award
An exemption of €18,500 per year for each of the two years. At today's amount that is €37,000 in total (my arithmetic).
Automatic at master's
A bachelor's recipient who continues at Sciences Po in an eligible master's program keeps the award with no new application.
Living costs
The official page does not list a living allowance, housing, airfare, or insurance.
How the amount can change
The amount is set at admission. Sciences Po may adjust it each year if tuition fees rise, so treat €37,000 as a current-amount estimate and not as a promise.
What ends the award
- Not validating your academic year.
- Deferring your admission after receiving the award.
- Entering a dual degree program directly in the third year of the bachelor's, because the award is tied to your program at admission.
During the third-year exchange abroad, bachelor's recipients keep their tuition grant.
Combining with other funding
The award cannot be combined with another scholarship from Sciences Po or its partners, such as Mastercard, CARE, Fondation de France and René Seydoux, or the China Scholarship Council. It can be combined with external funding, including Eiffel, AEFE, and French government scholarships. If that combination interests you, read my guide to the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship.
Required Documents
The exact checklist depends on your program. The items below are the ones the official pages confirm for each route, and the official checklists remain the final word. Every file must be a PDF of 2 MB or less, and you can shrink a heavy scan with my free PDF compressor.
Bachelor's, foreign secondary schools
Transcripts
Scan all three academic years into one PDF in chronological order.
Two academic references
Applications without two references are incomplete and will not be assessed.
Written answers
Three motivation questions, each 1,500 to 2,000 characters.
File format
PDF only, 2 MB maximum, named in English or French.
The full list is on the official bachelor's documents page.
Master's, international procedure
Motivation letter
Write it in the language of your chosen program. Two programs mean two letters.
References
Start these first, because referees need time to reply.
Language proof
Attach test results when the program requires them, by the scholarship deadline.
File format
PDF only, 2 MB maximum, uploaded before you submit.
See the official master's checklist for the program-specific documents. Write each letter for the exact program you chose.
Once you submit, no new document is accepted unless the admissions office asks for it. Sciences Po also advises against attaching documents nobody requested.
English Language Requirements
Language rules differ by level, so I have split them. In both cases the language of your chosen program matters most.
Master's applicants
Requirements depend on the program. When a test is needed, the result must be attached to the online application, and a missing proof by the deadline means your application is not considered. Tests must have been taken on or after January 1, 2025 for the 2027 intake, and scores can take up to three months to arrive for some tests.
- TOEFL MyBest Scores and IELTS One Skill Retake are accepted unless a program says otherwise.
- Even where no English level is required for entry, you must prove C1 English by the end of your two years to graduate.
- Native language does not count as an exemption, and Sciences Po-issued C1 or C2 certificates do not exempt you.
English test exemptions
- At least two consecutive years in the same degree-granting university program taught fully in English, with proof such as transcripts or an official certificate.
- A high school diploma taught in English, such as an IB English A, a European Baccalaureate English L1, or GCE Advanced Levels with at least three subjects from an official board.
- Another high school diploma, with a certificate from your school stating English was the medium of instruction.
Bachelor's applicants
Attaching a language test is optional, but your level is assessed through the written texts and the interview. A weak level can lead the panel to a negative opinion when you are assigned to a program. Most campuses ask for C1 in the language of instruction, and the French-taught campuses of Dijon, Nancy, and Poitiers also accept B1 French combined with C1 English. Check your minor on the official bachelor's language page.
Scholarship portals change quickly. Right before you submit, open the official master's language requirements and the program row for your degree to confirm the current English level, accepted tests, and exemptions.
Costs
The scholarship covers part of your tuition, so budget for the other costs. This table lists only the amounts the official pages state.
| Cost | What the official page says |
|---|---|
| Application fee | €150 at both levels, non-refundable, even if your application is incomplete, withdrawn, or unsuccessful |
| Fee waivers (master's) | CROUS scholarship holders, applicants with listed disability documents, applicants declared eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and applicants with proof of refugee status |
| Fee waivers (bachelor's) | Proof of refugee status only |
| Residence permit validation | €50, paid online after you arrive on a long-stay student visa |
| Visa application fee | Not stated in the pages I checked. Confirm it on France-Visas. |
| Remaining tuition, housing, food, insurance | Not stated on the scholarship page. Use the official tuition and budget tools. |
Paying the fee does not submit your application. You must still press the Submit button.
Application Procedure
The flowchart shows the route from eligibility to visa. The numbered steps below it add the details that cause most mistakes.
Check that you are a first-time applicant, outside the EU, with a household that does not file EU taxes. If you graduated from secondary school between October 2025 and September 2026, you must request a dispensation before applying to the bachelor's.
Bachelor's applicants pick two minors (excluding Paris) or one dual degree plus a minor. Master's applicants pick one two-year master's, a dual degree, or both, with the dual degree listed first.
Register on the Sciences Po application portal. The activation email can take up to two hours, and the address must stay valid throughout admissions.
Request references early, sort your language proof, write your texts, and upload every document as a PDF of 2 MB or less.
In the Financial information section, indicate that you want the Émile Boutmy Scholarship. Master's applicants also attach their language test, where required.
Pay the €150 fee, then press Submit before the scholarship deadline. Do not wait for the last day.
After you submit, you can follow your status on the dashboard. Admission comes first, and the scholarship result follows for admitted applicants.
Deadlines and Time Zones
All official deadlines are in Paris time, set at 11:59 PM on the admissions pages. The timeline lists the dates that matter for the 2027 intake, and the table converts the two open scholarship deadlines.
Key dates in order
The decision dates are not deadlines. They show when Sciences Po says it will answer files submitted by each deadline, so I label them as "before" dates.
Time zone conversion
| Deadline | Paris time | GMT | ET | PT | PKT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master's, second committee | Nov 29, 2026, 11:59 PM | Nov 29, 10:59 PM | Nov 29, 5:59 PM | Nov 29, 2:59 PM | Nov 30, 3:59 AM |
| Bachelor's, foreign secondary schools | Jan 13, 2027, 11:59 PM | Jan 13, 10:59 PM | Jan 13, 5:59 PM | Jan 13, 2:59 PM | Jan 14, 3:59 AM |
These conversions use standard time (CET, GMT, EST, PST, and PKT), which applies on both dates. The April 1, 2027 deadline for French secondary school applicants has no time stated on the page I checked, so I show only the date.
Scholarship deadline versus admission deadline
The general master's closing date is February 21, 2027, but that date does not apply to scholarship applicants. Sciences Po says you must meet the scholarship deadline whatever your program's own deadline is. For the bachelor's, rolling admission runs until March 1, 2027, yet the scholarship request closes on January 13, 2027.
A master's file needs references, a motivation letter, and often a language test that can take weeks to score. That makes the November 29 date a document deadline more than a form deadline. Track both dates in the Application Deadline Tracker.
Decision dates
- Master's, November 29 files: admission answer before February 11, 2027, and scholarship results before March 2, 2027.
- Bachelor's, January 13 files: results in April 2027.
- Bachelor's, submitted by November 4, 2026: admission results in mid-January 2027.
Residence Permit and Visa
Citizens of the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland do not need a visa. Everyone else, including Pakistani, US, and most other international students, must apply for a student visa for France, even if they already hold another European residence permit with limited exceptions.
- Use the France-Visas website to find your consulate and visa type.
- Book your appointment as soon as you have your admission, because a visa request can take two to three months.
- After arriving, validate your long-stay visa online within three months, which costs €50.
- A student residence permit allows up to 964 working hours per year for a permit valid for one year.
- Start a renewal four to two months before your permit expires.
Read the full Sciences Po visa and residence permit guide before you book anything.
For Pakistani Applicants
Pakistan is outside the EU, so a Pakistani applicant can apply when the household tax rule is met. Several details deserve extra attention for readers in Pakistan.
Timing in Pakistan
Paris is four hours behind Pakistan in late November and January. A Paris deadline of 11:59 PM becomes 3:59 AM PKT the next calendar day, so a Pakistani calendar date can mislead you. I would treat the day before as your real deadline and submit by early evening PKT.
Language proof and documents
If you studied for two consecutive years in the same university program taught fully in English, ask your university for transcripts or a certificate that states English as the only medium of instruction. A-level candidates with at least three subjects from an official board such as Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel may qualify for the high school exemption. Request these letters early, because offices can be slow.
The pages I checked do not mention HEC or IBCC attestation at the application stage. Visa offices may ask for attested papers later, so confirm that with the French consulate when you book.
Campus France and the fee
Sciences Po states that applicants from countries using the Campus France CEF procedure must still apply through the Sciences Po portal. My guide to the Campus France application process explains that system for visas and other French universities. The pages I checked do not list payment methods for the €150 fee, so check the portal before deadline week.
Secondary school students
The bachelor's pathway depends on your diploma, not your nationality. The page names IB, A-levels, and the US high school diploma as examples. If you hold a Pakistani qualification not named there, contact the admissions office before paying the non-refundable fee.
For US Applicants
The US is outside the EU, so US applicants can apply when they meet the other rules. Your situation differs from other applicants in a few ways.
Eligibility checks for US households
The tax rule is about your household. A US family that files only in the United States passes it, but a family that also files taxes in an EU country does not. Dual US and EU citizens are not eligible, so an Irish, Italian, or German second passport matters.
US diploma and timing
The US high school diploma is a named qualification, and midterm exam results and predicted grades can be assessed. If you graduated between October 2025 and September 2026 and are applying after a gap year, you must request a dispensation first. The January 13, 2027 deadline is 5:59 PM ET and 2:59 PM PT.
Interview and visa
Interviews are remote and take place in set windows, such as December 8 to 18, 2026. Check the time zone printed on your invitation, because it is easy to misread when Paris is six hours ahead of the East Coast. US citizens also need a French student visa.
For Other International Applicants
If you are not from Pakistan or the US, your eligibility often turns on residence, citizenship combinations, or a special profile.
Living in the EU while your family lives elsewhere
Sciences Po checks your parents' tax residence. If they live and pay tax outside the EU, you can still be eligible while studying inside the EU. If they pay tax in the EU, you cannot apply unless you qualify for financial independence.
Special citizenship cases
- Quebec: bachelor's applicants are eligible, master's applicants are not.
- Swiss and Norwegian citizens: not eligible, because they may qualify for French CROUS scholarships.
- Chinese nationals: the Fudan and Peking dual degrees are open to Chinese applicants only.
- Mixed EU and non-EU citizens: not eligible.
Fee waivers and other funding
Refugee applicants can request a fee waiver with proof of status at either level. Master's applicants declared eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program also get a waiver, but that scholarship cannot be combined with the Boutmy award. Applicants from Campus France CEF countries still use the Sciences Po portal.
After You Receive an Offer
Admission arrives first, and the scholarship result can arrive later. Sciences Po strongly encourages you to accept the admission offer while you wait for the scholarship decision.
- If you do not receive the scholarship, you can still ask for a deferral through the Student Services Centre, but you cannot apply again.
- Do not request a deferral before the scholarship result, because it ends your chance to apply later.
- During administrative registration, declare yourself a Sciences Po scholarship holder in step 2, enter the exemption amount, and upload your dated and signed certificate in step 5.
- Provide proof of your degree, or your secondary diploma for the bachelor's, as requested. Without it, the admission offer can be revoked.
If you are not awarded the scholarship, you cannot apply after admission, so you must find other funding. Keep a copy of your award certificate for your visa and your registration. Questions go to the Student Services Centre.
Common Mistakes
Eligibility and funding mistakes
- Assuming it is fully funded: the award covers tuition, not living costs.
- Ignoring household tax residence: your parents' tax status decides, not only yours.
- Waiting for admission to ask: you cannot apply after you are admitted.
File and deadline mistakes
- Using the general closing date: the scholarship deadline is earlier.
- Forgetting to tick the scholarship: it is not awarded automatically.
- Paying but not submitting: the fee alone does not submit the file.
- Missing language proof: a master's file without it is not assessed.
- Deferring too early: a deferral ends the scholarship option.
Scholarship Scam Warning Signs
Scholarship scams use real names to look believable. These are the warning signs I would check against the official pages.
- Someone promises a guaranteed Émile Boutmy award. Only admitted applicants are considered, and admission is never guaranteed.
- Someone offers to add you to the scholarship after you are admitted. Sciences Po says this is not possible.
- A person asks for a payment to unlock the scholarship. The only fee on the pages I checked is the €150 application fee, paid through the official application.
- The message comes from a free email address. The official contact addresses use the sciencespo.fr domain.
How to Apply Safely
Use only official channels, and keep your own records of every step.
- Create your account through the official application portal.
- Keep one email address active and check it often.
- Save PDF copies of every uploaded file and your fee receipt.
- Submit early, then confirm the status on your dashboard.
- Write your own texts, because plagiarism and AI-written essays can be penalized.
If a detail on this page differs from the official site, trust the official site. Then use the contact page to tell me so I can correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Émile Boutmy Scholarship fully funded?
No. The official page describes a tuition fee exemption: either a total exemption or an exemption of €9,500 at the bachelor's level, and €18,500 per year for each of the two years of a master's program. I did not find a living allowance, housing support, or airfare in the official terms, so plan separate funding for those costs.
What is the deadline for the Émile Boutmy Scholarship 2027?
For two-year master's applicants, the second committee deadline is November 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM Paris time, which is 10:59 PM GMT, 5:59 PM ET, 2:59 PM PT, and 3:59 AM PKT on November 30, 2026. The first master's deadline, October 18, 2026, has passed. Bachelor's applicants from foreign secondary schools have until January 13, 2027, and applicants from French secondary schools have until April 1, 2027.
Can Pakistani students apply for the Émile Boutmy Scholarship?
Yes, if they meet the official rules. Applicants must be first-time applicants to Sciences Po, be nationals of a country outside the European Union without EU citizenship, come from a household that does not file taxes in the European Union, and be admitted to an eligible bachelor's or two-year master's program. Pakistani applicants should also convert deadlines to Pakistan time, because 11:59 PM in Paris falls at 3:59 AM PKT the next day.
Can US students apply for the Émile Boutmy Scholarship?
Yes. The United States is outside the European Union, so US applicants can apply if their household does not file taxes in the EU and they meet the other rules. The international bachelor's pathway lists the US high school diploma as an eligible qualification, and the January 13, 2027 deadline of 11:59 PM Paris time is 5:59 PM ET.
Do I submit a separate scholarship application?
Not for the international pathways. You apply to a Sciences Po bachelor's or two-year master's program and select the Émile Boutmy Scholarship in the Financial information section of that application. Applicants from French secondary schools complete a separate online form after their Parcoursup file is validated.
Can I apply for the scholarship after I am admitted?
No. Sciences Po states that students cannot apply after admission or during their studies. A deferral of enrollment means the award is lost, and you cannot apply for it again the following year.
Can I combine the scholarship with other funding?
It cannot be combined with another scholarship from Sciences Po or its partners, such as Mastercard or CARE. The official page says it can be combined with external scholarships, including Eiffel, AEFE, and French government scholarships.
Is an English test required?
It depends on your level and program. Master's applicants must attach required language test results to the application by the scholarship deadline unless they qualify for a listed exemption. Bachelor's applicants from foreign secondary schools may attach a test as an option, but their language level is assessed through the written answers and the interview.
Final Words
The Émile Boutmy Scholarship is a valuable tuition exemption, but it is only as strong as the application behind it. Confirm that you are eligible, build a complete file early, and select the scholarship inside the application. Then verify every date against the official page before you submit.
If this guide helped, share it with a friend who is planning a Sciences Po application.
Official Links
Official scholarship page: https://www.sciencespo.fr/students/en/fees-funding/bursaries-financial-aid/emile-boutmy-scholarship/
Application portal: https://admission.sciencespo.fr/applicants/login?lng=en
Master's international admissions: https://www.sciencespo.fr/admissions/en/graduate/international-admissions/
Master's deadlines: https://www.sciencespo.fr/admissions/en/graduate/international-admissions/deadlines/
Bachelor's international admissions: https://www.sciencespo.fr/admissions/en/undergraduate/foreign-secondary-schools/
Read More
These guides cover related study options in Europe and the documents behind them.
- How to write a winning motivation letter
- SDU Danish Government Scholarship 2027
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
Ready to Apply for the Émile Boutmy Scholarship 2027?
Read the official program information, then apply through the authorized Sciences Po portal.
Apply NowOfficial Scholarship PageSubscribe on YouTubeJoin WhatsApp ChannelEditorial note: Scholarship figures, program structure, and admissions details should always be checked against the official sources before an applicant submits. Study Abroad with Arbaz is not part of Sciences Po.
Published: October 27, 2026
Last verified: October 27, 2026
Published by: Study Abroad with Arbaz
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