The Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Rennes (or "Rennes Institute of Political Studies") also known as Sciences Po Rennes, was established in 1991 in Brittany's regional capital, Rennes. This prestigious and highly selective institute is modeled on the former Paris "École Libre des Sciences Politiques" (ELSP). Like the other Instituts d'Etudes Politiques in France (Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Paris, Strasbourg and Toulouse.), Sciences Po Rennes is a member of the "Grandes Écoles" group of higher education schools of academic excellence and great renown.
Sciences Po Rennes currently offers a 5 year long programme (with a three year long undergraduate programme and a two year graduate programme in line with the Bologna Process) and delivers its main diploma equivalent to a master's degree. Student selection is based on grades obtained in the French baccalauréat (the examination taken at the end of secondary school) and at a competitive written examination (acceptance/selection rate is currently around 8-10%)
The school deliver a generalist program centred around political sciences, history, sociology, economics and management studies. The curriculum is meant to give students a strong knowledge in different social and economic sciences fields and working methods that enable them to be flexible and adapt themselves no matter what field they decide to work in. Students are taught at least two foreign languages and must spend one year abroad in order to achieve progress in their second tongue. In addition to academics, Sciences Po's curriculum incorporates more practice-oriented skills like teamwork, effective oral communication and presentation skills, and nurturing leadership potential.