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The Council of Europe in International Relations
Certificate of European Studies (CES) Parcours Certificate of European Studies (CES)
ComposanteSciences Po Strasbourg
Catalogue2025-2026
Description
European and International Relations, in particular with the European Union. It will assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two organizations and their mutual relations, which alternate between cooperation and competition. By retracing the history of the Council of Europe, its main tools of international cooperation will be assessed in different policy fields: human rights (the European Convention and the Court on Human Rights), minorities, education and culture, environment, democratic security, etc. But the course will also deal with the geopolitical function of the Council of Europe which counts both Russia and Turkey among its member states and it will address the responses of the Council of Europe to new challenges in International Relations: cybercrime, international terrorism, human trafficking, etc. The course takes on a professionally orientated direction by inviting administrators from the Council of Europe to witness about their experience and there will be practical sessions with simulation games to be performed by the students.
Bibliographie
BATES, E., The evolution of the European Convention of Human Rights. From its inception to the creation of a permanent Court of Human Rights, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2010.
BERROD, F./WASSENBERG, B., Les relations entre le Conseil de l’Europe et l’Union européenne de 1949 à nos jours. Vers un partenariat stratégique ?, Editions Conseil de l’Europe, Strasbourg, 2019.
BRUMMER, K., “The Council of Europe as an International Actor : Exporting Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law”, In: International Politics. Bd. 51, Vol.1., 2014, pp.67-86.
GERBET, P., La construction de l’Europe, Imprimerie Nationale, Paris, 1999
GILBERT, M., European Integration. A concise History, Rowman & Littlefield, 2012.
HALLER, B., An Assembly for Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe 1949-1989, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2006
HUBER, D., Une décennie pour l’Histoire, Le Conseil de l’Europe 1989-1999, Conseil de l’Europe, Strasbourg, 1999
K HUBER, Denis (dir.), Artisans de l’Europe. 30 témoignages pour 70 ans d’histoire 1949-2019, Strasbourg, La Nuée Bleue, 2019.
OLB, Marina, The European Union and the Council of Europe, Palgrave, Basingstoke, 2013.
SCHMAHL, Stefanie, BREUER, Marten, The Council of Europe. Its Law and Policies, Oxford University Press, 2006.
WASSENBERG, B., History of the Council of Europe, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2013.
WASSENBERG, B., History of the Council of Europe, 75 years of European Cooperation (2009-2024), Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2024.
MCC
Les épreuves indiquées respectent et appliquent le règlement de votre formation, disponible dans l'onglet Documents de la description de la formation.
- Régime d'évaluation
- CT (Contrôle terminal, mêlé de contrôle continu)
- Coefficient
- 1.0
Évaluation initiale / Session principale - Épreuves
| Libellé | Type d'évaluation | Nature de l'épreuve | Durée (en minutes) | Coéfficient de l'épreuve | Note éliminatoire de l'épreuve | Note reportée en session 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 position paper et 1 article scientifique | CC | PE |
The Certificate of European Studies (CES) is a university degree awarded at the end of a semester of study at Sciences Po Strasbourg. The curriculum is taught exclusively in English and aims to allow students who speak little or no French to have access to a top-level education in a French « Grande Ecole » (elite university).
Focusing on Europe from a global perspective, the Certificate of European Studies combines lectures, small-group tutorials, field trips and educational visits while introducing students to the French language and culture.
Thanks to the long-standing partnership between Sciences Po Strasbourg and the European institutions (European Parliament, Council of Europe, etc.), CES students have a unique opportunity to gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of Europe from the very heart of its capital.
Open to exchange students and free movers
This diploma is intended for international students, enrolled in a university abroad with an aim to obtain a degree and having the equivalent of at least two semesters (i.e. 60 ECTS credits) validated in their home university, preferably, but not necessarily, in the following fields : Law, Economics, Political Science, International Relations and Contemporary History.
The CES is targeted at students with little or no French language skills (A1-A2), but proof of advanced command of English is necessary (B2 in English required).
The Certificate of European Studies is open to both exchange students coming from partner universities and to free movers (non-exchange students).
Organization of the study program
The Certificate of European Studies can be taken first or second semester.
The program begins, each semester, with an intensive French course.
During the semester, students must take French language courses, 4 compulsory courses related to Europe (depending on the semester: History of European integration, Political Sociology of Europe, Cultural Policy in Europe, The EU and the World Economy, etc.) and a seminar coupled with pedagogical visits to the European institutions. In addition, they choose 2 optional courses and participate in a field trip (Frankfurt, Brussels, Luxembourg ...).
For further details, please see the CES brochure with course descriptions for first semester and for second semester.
First semester, the program begins at the beginning of September; courses and exams are completed before the Christmas holidays.
Second semester, the program begins at the beginning of January; courses and exams are completed at the end of May.
How to apply
- Your home university has an exchange agreement with Sciences Po Strasbourg (Erasmus+ agreement or bilateral agreement) or with the University of Strasbourg (exchange agreement for universities outside Europe only) : you must be selected by your home university.
- Your home university does not have an exchange agreement, neither with Sciences Po Strasbourg nor with the University of Strasbourg: you will have to pay a registration fee of €1390.
- The application procedure and schedule for the next sessions of the Certificate of European Studies are available here :
- 2025/26 Semestre 1
- 2025/26 Semestre 2
