Sciences Po Aix

What Sciences Po Aix does

Sciences Po Aix is a French public higher education institution (Établissement public d'enseignement supérieur) founded by decree on 27 March 1956 in Aix-en-Provence and operated under the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. It functions as a Grande École in the humanities and social sciences, member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles and founding member of the Réseau ScPo (seven elite IEPs). Its core portfolio comprises a five-year Diplôme (Bac+5, Master's-level) across four tracks (general, Franco-German, Air and Space School, continuing education); a Licence d'Administration Publique delivered in apprenticeship mode; eight Master's programs with 15 specializations; a Mastère Spécialisé Renseignement housed within the Chaire Renseignement; and CPAG preparatory classes producing ~90 civil-service laureates annually. Supporting products include 14 in-house certificates, custom short courses, VAE validation, and three international programs (CEP, PEPA, PEPS).

Underlying technology is limited and conventional: the WordPress-based website sciencespo-aix.fr, an Equinox digital campus portal (equinox.sciencespo-aix.fr), a candidature/inscription portal, the Brussels' World Simulation serious-game platform (bws-game.eu) created in 2018 for EU legislative simulation, and Matomo analytics. The 1,800-student institution operates three Aix-en-Provence sites (Saporta, Marceau Long, Philippe Séguin) supported by a teaching/administrative core of roughly 124 staff plus 450 part-time instructors and 49 doctoral researchers.

Revenue is diversified across government channels (Ministry of Higher Education and Research; Conseil Régional Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur; Conseil Général des Bouches-du-Rhône), student tuition and CVEC fees, corporate patronage underwriting the Chaire Renseignement (including a major French space group's defense and security executive), apprenticeship/alternance contracts, continuing-education unit-pricing, and event sponsorship (NATO, Ministère des Armées). The go-to-market motion combines competitive entrance examinations (concours) at years 1, 2, and 4, an annual Open Day, and recruitment via 25 lycée partner schools domestically plus 142 partner universities across 42 countries internationally.

Name

Sciences Po Aix

Legal name

Sciences Po Aix

Website

https://sciencespo-aix.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Sciences Po Aix is a French public Grande École founded in 1956 in Aix-en-Provence, offering a five-year Master's-level diploma, eight Master's tracks, and specialized programs including an intelligence studies chair, serving roughly 1,800 undergraduate, graduate, continuing-education, and international students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE)

Keywords

• Higher education programs
• Political studies
• Civil service preparation
• Intelligence studies training
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Aix-en-provence

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Higher Education Funding: As a public higher education institution established in 1956, Sciences Po Aix receives government funding through the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, as well as regional council support from Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur and Bouches-du-Rhone department.
2. Tuition and Registration Fees: Students pay tuition fees including the Contribution a la Vie Etudiante et de Campus (CVEC). Fees vary by program and student status. Continuing education programs and professional certificates generate additional revenue.
3. Corporate Patronage and Sponsorship (Chaire Renseignement): The Intelligence Chair is primarily funded through corporate patronage. Corporate sponsors receive privileged access to research activities and events. This represents a significant funding stream for specialized programs.
4. Training and Professional Education: Revenue from continuing education programs, short courses, custom training, VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Experience), and preparation courses for administrative competitions generate income from professional learners and organizations.
5. Apprenticeship and Alternance Programs: Partnerships with public and private sector employers for work-study programs generate revenue through alternating training contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sciences Po Aix is a French public Grande École delivering higher education programs in humanities and social sciences, including a 5-year Diploma (Bac+5), national Master's degrees, the Mastère Spécialisé Renseignement, CPAG civil-service preparatory classes, international study programs (CEP, PEPA, PEPS), continuing education certificates, and Validation of Acquired Experience pathways. It also operates specialized academic units such as the Chaire Renseignement intelligence chair and the Brussels World Simulation pedagogical platform.

Product overview

Sciences Po Aix is a public higher education institution (Grande École) founded in 1956, offering a portfolio of programs across undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education levels. Its core product is the five-year Diplôme de Sciences Po Aix (Bac+5, Master's-level), accessible by competitive entrance exam, alongside national degrees including a Licence d'Administration Publique and a suite of Masters programs. The institution also delivers specialized professional programs — notably the Mastère Spécialisé Renseignement (through its Intelligence Chair), CPAG civil-service preparatory classes, and continuing education certificates. For international audiences, it runs the CEP, PEPA, and PEPS programs. Unique pedagogical offerings include the Brussels' World Simulation (BWS) serious-game platform simulating EU legislative processes for master-level students, and the Chaire Renseignement bringing together academia, intelligence services, and business. A 2025 citizen convention addressed generative AI in education. The institution does not operate a commercial software product but provides educational services and platforms including a digital campus (Equinox).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diplôme de Sciences Po Aix (5-year Degree) A five-year pluridisciplinary higher education diploma (Bac+5, Master's level) in humanities and social sciences covering general culture, sociology, political science, law, economics, international relations, history, foreign languages, and methodology. Entry by competitive exam at 1st, 2nd, or 4th year. For prospective undergraduates and continuing-education students seeking leadership preparation.
• Licence d'Administration Publique (Bachelor of Public Administration) A national Licence (Bachelor's) degree in public administration delivered in apprenticeship mode, offered as a national diploma through Aix-Marseille Université.
• Masters Programs A portfolio of national Master's degrees (Bac+5) with 8 course types and 15 specialization options, combining advanced knowledge in humanities and social sciences with methodological training, professional integration, internships, and career guidance.
• Mastère Spécialisé Renseignement (Specialized Master in Intelligence) A one-year specialized program (Bac+6) training senior executives in all aspects of intelligence studies, combining 434 hours of theoretical teaching (history, institutional/legal framework, scientific bases of technical intelligence, geopolitics, human intelligence, economic intelligence) with practitioner interventions, a 4-month internship, and a professional thesis. Run through the Chaire Renseignement.
• CPAG – Prépas Concours Administratifs Preparatory classes for French civil-service entrance competitions, with five programs producing approximately 90 laureates per year.
• Continuing Education Programs Continuing education offerings for working professionals and career changers, including the Sciences Po Aix diploma in continuing education, 14 establishment certificates, professional certificates, custom short courses, and Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE).
• Brussels' World Simulation (BWS) A sophisticated pedagogical serious-game platform created in 2018 for master-level students to simulate EU legislative decision-making processes over 10 weeks each year. 150-200 students role-play as Commission, Parliament, Council, NGOs, third countries, lobbies, think tanks, and media to adopt EU regulations or directives on annual themes.
• CEP – Certificat d'Études Politiques A certificate program for international students providing condensed political studies coursework at Sciences Po Aix.
• PEPA – Programme d'Études Politiques Annuel An annual international study program at Sciences Po Aix for international students seeking a full academic year of political studies.
• PEPS – Programme d'Études Politiques Semestriel A semester-length international policy studies program at Sciences Po Aix for visiting international students.
• Chaire Renseignement (Intelligence Chair) A unique French academic chair operating across three axes: training (Specialized Master in Intelligence and Certificate on Intelligence Studies), research (multidisciplinary applied programs, doctoral sessions, seminars, colloquia), and outreach (workshops, summer school, publications). Funded primarily through corporate patronage.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% professional integration rate within 2 years of graduation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Aix-Marseille UniversitecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSciences Po Aix is linked to Aix-Marseille Universite by convention, cooperating in research, education, and innovation. The Director of Sciences Po Aix also serves as president of the CRGE PACA. This partnership provides institutional framework, shared resources, and academic recognition.
• Reseau ScPo (Sciences Po Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSciences Po Aix is a founding member of the Reseau ScPo which groups seven elite political studies institutes: Sciences Po Aix, Lille, Lyon, Rennes, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Strasbourg, and Toulouse. The network enables student exchanges, joint programs, and collaborative initiatives among France's premier IEP institutions.
• Conference des Grandes Ecoles (CGE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSciences Po Aix is a member of CGE which represents 235 elite French grandes ecoles including engineering, management, architecture, political science, journalism, military schools, and health veterinary schools. Membership provides institutional recognition and network access.
• Fondation A*MidexmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSciences Po Aix is a founding member of the A*Midex foundation, a major institutional initiative supporting excellence in higher education and research in the Aix-Marseille region.
• IMera - Institut d'Etudes AvanceesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSciences Po Aix partners with IMera for advanced research initiatives, hosting visiting scholars and participating in interdisciplinary programs in arts, Mediterranean studies, and necessary utopias.
• 142 International Partner UniversitiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSciences Po Aix maintains international agreements with 142 universities across 42 countries on 5 continents, including partnerships with institutions such as University of Cambridge, Freie Universitat Berlin, University of Bologna, Waseda University, and many others enabling student mobility and academic exchange.
• Ecole de l'Air et de l'EspacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Salon-de-Provence, the Air and Space School provides complementary engineering expertise for Sciences Po Aix's specialized Franco-German and intelligence tracks. The two institutions collaborate on the 'Parcours Ecole de l'air' within the diploma program.
• Centre Franco-Allemand de ProvencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded on Aix-Tubingen city twinning, the center organizes Franco-German cultural events and supports the Forum Franco-Allemand de la Mediterranee. It provides German language instruction and cultural programming complementary to Sciences Po Aix's Franco-German track.
• NATOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNATO supports the annual International Security Colloquium on Southern European Borders as a key event partner, bringing together diplomats, military officials, and academics to discuss Mediterranean security challenges.
• Ministere des Armees (French Ministry of Armed Forces)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the annual International Security Colloquium, bringing military perspective and expertise to discussions on southern European border security.
• Metropole d'Aix-Marseille-ProvenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban metropolis area partner supporting the International Security Colloquium and regional institutional initiatives.
• GIS Euro-LabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic consortium supporting the Brussels World Simulation with research expertise and institutional collaboration on European studies.
• Fondation Robert SchumanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean studies foundation supporting the Brussels World Simulation with expertise and educational resources on EU policy.
• POLITICOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean policy media partner for the Brussels World Simulation providing journalistic perspective and media coverage for the simulation program.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sciences Po Rennes: Réseau ScPo member with the standard 5-year IEP diploma, Master's programs, and international partnerships. Comparable in mission, size, and delivery model to Sciences Po Aix.
• Sciences Po Toulouse: Southern-French IEP within the Réseau ScPo offering the same Sciences Po diploma, Master's tracks, and continuing education programs. Competes with Sciences Po Aix in the southern France student market.
• Sciences Po Paris: The flagship Institut d'Études Politiques and the reference institution within the same Réseau ScPo as Sciences Po Aix. Both deliver the same 5-year Sciences Po diploma and Master's portfolio, share the Sciences Po brand, and compete for the same pool of French bac+2 entrants and international students.
• Sciences Po Strasbourg: Réseau ScPo member offering the same 5-year IEP diploma plus a strong European and Franco-German focus, directly overlapping with Sciences Po Aix's Franco-German track and European/international relations specializations.
• Sciences Po Lille: A fellow founding member of the Réseau ScPo and the most direct regional peer, delivering the same IEP curriculum, Master's programs, and competitive entrance exam in northern France. Directly comparable in scale, structure, and target student profile to Sciences Po Aix.
• Sciences Po Lyon: Another member of the Réseau ScPo with a 5-year IEP diploma, multiple Master's tracks, and international exchange networks. Functions as a near-identical regional competitor to Sciences Po Aix for the same prospective students across France.

Emerging players

• IRIS (Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques): French think tank and executive-education provider in international relations, defense, and security. Comparable to Sciences Po Aix's intelligence and security programs in subject matter and professional audience, though delivered primarily as executive training rather than degree programs.
• EGE (École de Guerre Économique): French private school specializing in economic intelligence, strategic intelligence, and influence, with corporate-sponsored programs. Overlaps meaningfully with Sciences Po Aix's Chaire Renseignement and intelligence-studies offerings, particularly for working-professional learners.

Broad incumbents

• INALCO (Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales): Public French higher-education institution focused on languages, international relations, and area studies. Overlaps with Sciences Po Aix in international relations, foreign language, and area-studies offerings, though it specializes in language/civilization instruction rather than political science.
• Université Paris-Dauphine: Paris-based public university specializing in organizational sciences, economics, and management with strong Master's programs and apprenticeship routes. Comparable as a French public higher-education institution serving a similar professional-track bac+5 student base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Sciences_Po_Aix
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sciences-po-aix
• Instagraminstagram.com/sciencespoaix
• Facebookfacebook.com/SciencesPo.Aix

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sciences Po Aix