Diplôme de Sciences Po Grenoble-UGA, parcours Développement et expertise de l'économie sociale (DESS) at Université Grenoble Alpes

Programme overview

Two-year parcours training managers and developers for social-economy organisations (cooperatives, associations, mutuals, foundations). It combines specialised teaching, tutored entrepreneurial projects for client organisations and work-linked training.

Faculty: Sciences Po Grenoble, Institut d'études politiques, UGA | Department: Ecole Solidarités, Innovations et Territoires | Duration: 2 years (4th and 5th years of the IEP diploma) | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time; French | Location: Saint-Martin-d'Hères, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

What you will study

Social economy, sociology, public policy and local development in the first semester of year 1, followed by a 4-month minimum placement; year 2 alternates one training week per month with a 6-8 month placement. Available under a professionalisation contract.

Career pathways

Executive posts in social-economy enterprises, consultancy and evaluation bodies supporting them, and public-sector units dedicated to social-economy development.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Second-cycle parcours of the Sciences Po Grenoble-UGA diploma (4th year entry by concours): open to any initial-education student holding a licence or equivalent (180 ECTS), validated or in progress. Selection is by file: official transcripts for the three licence years (or first two years plus current enrolment certificate), CV, and a three-part candidate project (personal and academic background, scientific project, professional perspectives), each part limited to 2 pages. Candidates with a non-European bachelor's must supply the degree certificate. Admissible candidates are ranked and admission follows an interview with a jury. Up to two parcours can be applied for. Application fee EUR 110 (EUR 25 for scholarship holders). Applications are made on the school's online concours platform; the 2026 session ran 9 March to 4 May 2026, with interviews 3-12 June and results 23 June 2026. Third-year Sciences Po Grenoble-UGA students follow an anticipated internal recruitment procedure.

Requirements published at program group level.

International applicants: EUR 6,300 a year (2026-2027). Maximum rate applied where the student's parents declare all income outside the European Economic Area; fees for other students are income-based (no flat amount published) and scholarship holders are exempt. CVEC (EUR 105) excluded. Source

Intake: September

Duration: 5 years (specialisation in years 4 and 5)

Apply through the official page: https://etudier.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/candidater-et-vous-inscrire/candidature/

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