University professor Xavier Crettiez does not always know the real names of the students sitting in his classroom. In most academic settings, this would be unthinkable. In his case, it is part of the job. Crettiez helps train France’s intelligence agents, and secrecy is built into the learning experience.
“I rarely know the intelligence agents’ backgrounds when they are sent on the course, and I doubt the names I’m given are genuine anyway,” he says.
The setting matches the mission. Sciences Po Saint-Germain, located on the outskirts of Paris, feels discreet by design. Its early 20th-century buildings appear dour and imposing, enclosed by busy roads and heavy metal gates that add to its low-profile atmosphere. It does not resemble the glamorous image of spy schools often portrayed in films. Instead, it reflects the quiet seriousness of intelligence work.
What makes the campus stand out is a unique diploma that places young university students alongside active members of the French secret services. The younger students are typically in their early 20s, while the intelligence officers are often between 35 and 50 years old. They share classrooms, discussions, and case studies, even though some identities remain deliberately vague.
The programme is known as the Diplôme sur le Renseignement et les Menaces Globales, translated as the Diploma of Intelligence and Global Threats. It was developed by Sciences Po in partnership with the Academie du Renseignement, the official training arm of the French intelligence services. The course was created following a request from French authorities about a decade ago.
After the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, the French government launched a major recruitment drive within its intelligence agencies. Officials approached Sciences Po, one of the country’s leading universities, to design a programme that could train future intelligence officers while also offering continuous education to those already serving. The aim was to strengthen analytical capacity across national security institutions and beyond.
Private companies quickly took notice. Large French firms saw the value of intelligence training for their own security teams and began placing staff on the course. Many companies also started recruiting directly from the younger graduates, recognising the growing importance of risk analysis, cyber security, and geopolitical awareness.
The diploma consists of 120 hours of coursework spread over four months. External participants, including intelligence agents and corporate professionals, pay around Ksh 755,000 to attend. The curriculum focuses on identifying threats, understanding how they evolve, and developing strategies to counter them. Key topics include the economics of organised crime, Islamic jihadism, political violence, and business intelligence gathering.
To observe a class and speak with students, visitors must first be vetted by French security services. One session focused on intelligence work and over-reliance on technology, highlighting the risks of assuming digital tools can replace human judgment.
Among the students was a man in his 40s who introduced himself as Roger. Speaking in careful, clipped English, he said he worked as an investment banker. “I provide consultancy across West Africa, and I joined the course to provide risk assessments to my clients there.” His presence illustrated how intelligence skills are increasingly valuable beyond government agencies.
Why did France create a university-level spy programme?
Crettiez explains that France’s intelligence community has expanded significantly in recent years. He estimates that around 20,000 agents now operate within what he describes as the “inner circle.” This includes the DGSE, which handles foreign intelligence and functions similarly to the UK’s MI6 or the US CIA, and the DGSI, which focuses on internal security, comparable to MI5 or the FBI.
He stresses that modern intelligence work extends far beyond counterterrorism. “There are the two main security agencies, but also Tracfin, an intelligence agency which specialises in money laundering. It is preoccupied with the surge in mafia activity, especially in southern France, including corruption in the public and private sectors, mainly due to massive profits in illegal drug trafficking.”
The diversity of threats has shaped the teaching staff. Lecturers include a DGSE official who once served in Moscow, a former French ambassador to Libya, a senior Tracfin official, and the head of security at the French energy giant EDF. Their combined experience brings real-world insight into classroom discussions.
Private sector interest continues to grow. Defence and aerospace firms, as well as luxury brands, are increasingly exposed to cyber attacks, industrial espionage, and sabotage. Graduates of the programme have recently been hired by Orange, Thales, and LVMH, the group behind Louis Vuitton, Dior, Dom Perignon, and Krug. Intelligence training is now viewed as a strategic asset in global business.
This year’s class includes 28 students, six of whom are active intelligence officers. Their behaviour sets them apart. During breaks, they cluster together, away from the younger students, and respond cautiously to questions. None disclose their exact roles. One describes the diploma as a fast-track path from office work to field assignments. Another says the academic setting offers fresh perspectives. They sign the attendance register using only their first names.
Who studies intelligence and what motivates them?
The younger students bring a different energy. Alexandre Hubert, 21, says he enrolled to better understand the growing economic tensions between Europe and China. “Looking at intelligence gathering from a James Bond viewpoint is not relevant, the job is analysing risk and working out how to counteract it,” he explains.
Valentine Guillot, also 21, says her interest was sparked by the popular French television series Le Bureau. “Coming here to discover this world, which I didn’t know anything about except for the TV series, has been a remarkable opportunity, and now I am very keen to join the security services.” Her comments reflect how popular culture can inspire interest, even if the reality turns out to be very different.
Nearly half of the students in the programme are women. According to lecturer Sebastien-Yves Laurent, a specialist in intelligence technology, this marks a recent shift. “Women’s interest in intelligence gathering is new,” he says. “They are interested because they think it will provide for a better world. And if there is one common thread amongst all these young students, it’s that they are very patriotic, and that is new compared to 20 years ago.”
Entry requirements remain strict. French citizenship is mandatory, though some dual citizens are accepted. Crettiez says he remains cautious when reviewing applications. “I regularly get applications from very attractive Israeli and Russian women with amazing CVs. Unsurprisingly, they are binned immediately.”
Even class photos reveal subtle signs of secrecy. In one recent group image, the intelligence officers stood with their backs to the camera. While students and professionals alike appear fit and disciplined, Crettiez is keen to challenge the myth of a glamorous spy career.
“Few recruits will end up in the field,” he says. “Most French intelligence agencies’ jobs are desk-bound.”
The reality of intelligence work, as taught at Sciences Po Saint-Germain, is rooted in analysis, patience, and responsibility rather than action-packed adventures. For students and professionals alike, the course offers a rare window into a world where knowledge, discretion, and strategy matter more than spectacle.
By Yockshard Enyendi