The European Court of Humans Rights

The European Court of Humans Rights
Certificate of European Studies (CES) Parcours Certificate of European Studies (CES)

Catalogue2025-2026

Description

The “European Convention on Human Rights” has become a fundamental document for the protection of individuals’ rights in Europe and in setting guidelines for the operation of public and private institutions in the member States.

It is therefore crucial for students of political sciences to understand legal issues and solutions around some of the most interesting and difficult debates taking place in the European society and political and judicial institutions. 

 The development of an academic process in relation to this subject will attempt first of all to give the basic understanding of the European Convention of Human Rights as interpreted by the Strasbourg Court and the impact it has had over the years in shaping legal and social notions amongst the European societies.

The course will offer information on how the system of the European Convention of Human Rights, especially the Court, works. It will also analyse some of the major achievement of the case-law of the Court in relation to the most important substantive and procedural individual rights protected by the Convention. 

Most of the course will consist in power point presentation by the professor, L. Bianku, and students are very much invited to participate in the debate during these presentations. Part of the course will be papers prepared by the students on specific judgments to be indicated by the professor. Besides written presentations students will be invited to make very short (10-15 min) presentation of the cases during class discussions. 

Modalités d'organisation et de suivi

1. Theoretical lectures by the lector.
2. The organisation of work-shops, so the presentation and interpretation of cases by the students themselves.
3. The eventual simulation games.
4. Visits at the European Court of Human Rights

Syllabus

1. The character of the international human rights law (1 hour).
2. The European system on the protection of human rights and     fundamental freedoms. Problems and solutions. The mechanisms offered by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. (1 hour).
3. Right to life - the article 2 of the Convention and its 6th and 13th Protocols - Slavery and servitude - article 4 of the Convention. (2 hours).
4. Torture and inhuman treatments - article 3 of the Convention and the European Convention on the prevention of torture. (2 hours).
5. Right to liberty and security - the article 5 of the Convention. (2 hours).
6. Right to a fair trial, non- retro applicability of criminal law and right to an effective remedy - articles 6, 7 & 13 of the Convention. (4 hours).
7. Right for private and family life. Right to found a family - articles 8 & 12 of the Convention. (2 hours).
8. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly and association - articles 9, 10 & 11 of the Convention. (2 hours).
9. Right to property, education and free elections - Protocol 1 of the Convention. (2 hours).

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)

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