Transfer Credit

Through Sciences Po coursework, credit from advanced-standing examinations such as Advanced Placement or the French Baccalauréat, or college coursework completed at an institution other than Sciences Po, Dual BA Program students will transfer up to 60 of the 124 points required for degree completion at Columbia.

Students admitted to the Dual BA Program may transfer credit only from the institutions listed on their application for admission at the time the application is submitted. Coursework from institutions not listed on the application for admission will not be considered for transfer credit. Transcripts from all institutions previously attended must be listed on the application form and submitted to the School of General Studies. Failure to report and send transcripts from all schools previously attended is considered academic dishonesty and may result in disciplinary action including rescinding the offer of admissions.

In all cases, transfer credit from all previous coursework must be finalized within six months of matriculation. Students who wish to undertake additional academic experiences once enrolled in the Dual BA Program may only do so with the approval of the Columbia academic advisor. For additional information on transferring credits, please visit the Transfer Credit section of the School of General Studies website.

During the first two years of the Program, Sciences Po will send student transcripts to Columbia to confirm their academic progress. The GS administrative offices use a block credit validation policy for all Dual BA students in order to streamline the transfer of their Sciences Po coursework toward their general Columbia University degree requirements. Before the start of their third year, Dual BA students will receive the maximum 60 allowable transfer credits toward the 124 credit minimum required for the Columbia undergraduate degree for coursework completed at Sciences Po. Students must earn a grade of 10 or higher at Sciences Po to receive transfer credit towards their Columbia degree. Students can earn credit for fall, spring, and summer term courses. Spring School and Winter School courses, which are considered "mini" courses, are not transferable to Columbia.

Students will also have access to a Core Requirement Checklist, which is updated yearly by advising deans. This Checklist will detail which of the Core Requirements have been satisfied by transfer credit.

Please note that Columbia accepts a maximum of 60 transfer credits; moreover, with respect to the Columbia bachelor’s degree requirements, all coursework completed at Sciences Po will be classified as transfer credit. Consequently, non-Sciences Po transfer credits may not accelerate degree completion.

Although AP scores cannot be used toward exemption from Core Curriculum courses, scores may be used to satisfy other requirements, as noted on the GS website.
 

The School of General Studies awards transfer credit for exams taken in completion of the French Baccalaureate; continuous assessment grades will not be evaluated for transfer credit. Exam results with a grade of 11 or higher will be evaluated and awarded credit dependent on the coefficient. No credit will be awarded for English language courses and the student’s native language grammar studies (as opposed to literature). 

French Baccalauréat scores can be used toward exemption from Columbia’s Quantitative Reasoning requirement and may provide exemptions for major requirements depending on the policy of the individual department

The School of General Studies awards transfer credit only for International Baccalaureate (IB) exams taken at the Higher level. 

Students are awarded the equivalent of one semester of transfer credit (typically 3 points) in the relevant discipline for any Higher level exam in which they receive a score of 6 or 7. Any transfer credit received, as determined by Admissions, will appear on the student's ECR and will be considered part of the 60-credit transfer maximum. 

IB scores can be used toward exemption from Columbia's language requirement or Quantitative Reasoning requirement and may provide exemptions for major requirements depending on the policy of the individual department. 

A student’s Columbia GPA is determined only by courses completed at Columbia. While students are required to pass their Sciences Po courses in order to progress to Columbia in year three, the grades earned in years one and two are not factored into their Columbia GPA. To determine an approximate GPA based on Sciences Po coursework, Dual BA students can use the Grade Conversion Chart below.

Grades at Sciences Po are based upon a 20 point scale. A grade of 16 or higher is considered to be superior work, 14-15 excellent, 12-13 good, 10-11 passing, and 1-9 failing. The grades translate approximately to the following in the U.S. system:

Students at Columbia are given both letter and numerical grades as follows:

  • A+ = 4.33
  • A = 4.00
  • A- = 3.67
  • B+ = 3.33
  • B = 3.00
  • B- = 2.67
  • C+ = 2.33
  • C = 2.00
  • C- = 1.67
  • D = 1.00

These grades are weighted for each class based upon the credit value.

Classroom hours vary both at Sciences Po and at Columbia. Two (2) European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits are equal to one (1) Columbia credit (otherwise known as units or points). This equivalency, however, can be a bit misleading. While it is not uncommon for students at Sciences Po to take about 50 credits per term, it would be unheard of for a Columbia student to take 25 points in one semester. Dual BA students will be required to complete a minimum of 64 points at Columbia University during their two years in New York, including Core Curriculum, major, and elective requirements. 

GPA Calculator

Sciences Po Grade Number of ECTS Credits Columbia Grade Equivalent Number of Columbia Points Total Raw GPA Points
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