European Studies

Application deadline: EU/EER: 15 July, non-EU/EER 1 May

About European Studies

How can we understand the EU’s response to the financial crisis or to the confrontation between Ukraine and Russia? How do we account for the EU’s reaction to the refugee crisis provoked by conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa? What is Europe’s peacekeeping role and capacity? The master's programme in European Studies trains you to answer these complex questions. Because you cannot study Europe from just one angle, the programme examines global developments and multi-level governance in a broader context, combining political science, history, international relations, economics and cultural studies. This student-centred, interdisciplinary programme is among the largest, and certainly the most international, in Europe and has an excellent reputation. You will study the internal and external dimensions of European policy, governance and administration. The focus is on the underlying issues of power and influence, governance and culture within the European milieu and between Europe and the wider world.

Why this programme?

The Master of Arts in European Studies focuses on the international dimensions of policy, governance and administration. The programme looks beyond the institutions of the European Union and the mechanics of European integration to examine global developments and multi-level governance in a broader context. The programme employs an interdisciplinary approach, combining political science, history, international relations, economics and cultural studies. The focus is on the underlying issues of power and influence, governance and culture.

Programme highlights:

• Truly international: 67 students in the 2018/19 programme come from 20 different countries 
• Three specialisations to choose from 
• Guest lectures and involvement of experts from professional practice 
• Extensive alumni network and links to Brussels 
• Opportunities to practise on-the-job skills

Curriculum and Overview

The programme offers three specialisations:

1) European Public Policy & Administration: focuses on the political and administrative mechanisms and balances between the institutions of the European Union, its member states and civil societies

2) European Politics & International Relations: concentrates on the international position and politics of the European Union (EU) as a political entity

3) Europe in a Globalising World: focuses on Europe and its member states’ shifting roles on the world stage in parallel to collective efforts to address global challenges such as international migration and development

You will also be trained in professional skills such as writing press releases or speeches, giving engaging presentations and negotiating strategies.

• Writing policy papers and blogs 
• Drafting briefing notes
• Negotiation skills 
• Communication via (social) media 

Problem-Based Learning (PLB)

As with many Maastricht University programmes, European Studies is taught using Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Most of your work will be done in small turorial groups, where you team up with your fellow students to seek solutions to ‘problems’ taken from real-world situations. The tutorial group is the heart of PBL and is a forum for research, analysis, debate, negotiation and feedback. Instructors act as facilitators, giving help as it’s needed. This allows you to build independence and develop problem-solving skills that you’ll need in your career. You'll also participate in seminars, which are thematically-related lectures by experts that involve reviewing literature and providing information necessary for participating fully in tutorials. Various lectures are also given by academics and practitioners from European Union institutions, providing insights into specific dimensions of EU external relations.

Career Prospects

The European Studies programme prepares you for policy-oriented professions in middle management or higher. Though the programme has a strong European focus, the international dimension also plays a big role. With your all-round grasp of European institutions and integration, as well as experience in international teams and practical project work, you can look for work in:

• Regional, national or European administration and governance (European Affairs Officer, EU Policy manager) 
• Non-governmental organisations and think tanks (Management positions) 
• Diplomatic services and international organisations (Policy Advisor)
• Consultancy and public affairs (Consultant, Head of Communications)
•  International journalism (Media Analyst) 
• Academia and public policy research (Research Analyst, Lecturer) 

Contact

Tonita Perera y Monsuwe
Advisor Student Recruitment FASoS
Phone: + 31 43 388 4779
E-Mail: pereraymonsuwe@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Website: www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/faculties/faculty-arts-and-social-sciences