Inside France's Hidden Spy School: A Unique Training Experience

Wed Jan 07 2026 09:27:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

At Sciences Po Saint-Germain, young students and seasoned spies come together to learn about intelligence and global threats, illustrating the evolving landscape of security in modern France.

Sciences Po Saint-Germain, a prestigious university near Paris, has established a unique program that blends young students with active agents of the French secret services. The Diplôme sur le Renseignement et les Menaces Globales aims to train both aspiring spies and current agents in addressing modern threats such as organized crime and cyber terrorism. With increasing interest from both the public and private sectors, this program illuminates a pivotal shift in the landscape of intelligence and security in France.

At Sciences Po Saint-Germain, a leading university on the outskirts of Paris, an unconventional academic curriculum is training the next generation of spies alongside traditional students. Led by Professor Xavier Crettiez, the Diplôme sur le Renseignement et les Menaces Globales (Diploma in Intelligence and Global Threats) serves as a bridge between young academics and seasoned agents of the French secret services.

Professor Crettiez acknowledges the unusual dynamic of his classroom: I rarely know the intelligence agents' backgrounds when they are sent on the course, and I doubt the names I'm given are genuine either. This anonymity adds a layer of intrigue to an already exceptional educational experience.

The course was introduced in response to the growing need for skilled intelligence professionals, particularly following the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris which prompted a significant recruitment drive within the French intelligence community. It operates through a partnership with the Academie du Renseignement, the training arm of the French secret services, focusing on topics such as the economics of organized crime, business intelligence gathering, and political violence.

Students not only include aspiring spies, but also professionals from the private sector, such as investment bankers and corporate security staff, underscoring the course’s extensive relevance.

With 120 hours of coursework over four months, and substantial interest from industry giants in fields ranging from defense to luxury goods, the program is shaping the future of intelligence in a rapidly changing world.

Among the 28 students enrolled, approximately half are women, revealing a growing interest in intelligence gathering from diverse backgrounds. Attendees are united by a sense of patriotism and duty, with many motivated by a desire for a safer, more secure world.

As Professor Crettiez notes, despite the glamorous portrayals in films, most roles in intelligence today are desk-bound, focusing on analysis rather than action. This reality highlights a crucial shift in how we perceive the image of spies and their training. In this unique program, future security professionals are prepared to tackle the complexities of modern threats, ensuring France is not only reactive but proactive in its intelligence efforts.