In 2025, Fudan University's School of Philosophy established a partnership with the renowned École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris. This agreement includes a student exchange program, initially planned for three students per academic year (excluding those in structured international joint doctoral programs).
The École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences) is a leading French grande école. It is distinguished by its strong focus on interdisciplinary research across the humanities and social sciences, positioning it as a pioneer in this approach within France. As a specialized research institute, EHESS does not feature in standard university rankings but is widely regarded as academically on par with France's top public universities, with its humanities and social sciences programs considered among the world's best.
EHESS was established as a national institute for advanced research under French law with a mission to advance social science education and scholarship. It operates within the selective grande école system, separate from the public universities, and functions as a dedicated public research institution, similar to the Collège de France or the CNRS. Its origins lie in the Sixth Section (Social Sciences) of the École Pratique des Hautes Études, founded in 1945 by eminent historians Fernand Braudel and Lucien Febvre of the Annales school. It gained full autonomy in 1975.
EHESS's faculties cover a broad spectrum of disciplines, including History, Anthropology, Sociology, Economics, Geography, Art Studies, Linguistics, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Political Science, and Philosophy. It is a central hub for research and graduate education in France, awarding master's and doctoral degrees, including through its prominent "Social Anthropology and Ethnology" doctoral school. Admission is highly selective, based on academic merit.
The school boasts a vibrant academic community comprising approximately 300 faculty, 500 researchers, 450 support staff, and 3,000 students. It annually hosts over 150 visiting scholars and professors from around the globe. EHESS focuses exclusively on graduate-level education (Master's and PhD), aiming to train students through rigorous engagement with social science research practice.
EHESS has particular historical strength in History, Anthropology, and Sociology. It maintains close collaborations with other major institutions; for instance, its Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Sociale (LAS), founded with the Collège de France by Claude Lévi-Strauss, remains a focal point for anthropological research and publishes the prestigious journal L'Homme. The school is also a leader in French East Asian and Sinological studies. EHESS is a founding member of the Paris-Universitas alliance, alongside institutions like the École Normale Supérieure and several Sorbonne universities.
While headquartered in Paris, EHESS also has campuses in Marseille, Lyon, and Toulouse. The Marseille campus, housed in the historic Vieille-Charité centre, fosters strong ties with the local cultural and civic community.
Student life at EHESS encompasses both academic and extracurricular dimensions. The school provides comprehensive support services through its Student Life Ambassadors, assisting with issues ranging from IT equipment and student initiatives to access to cultural, sports, and health resources.
