European Union Studies

The European union, where we live, work and study, is the most ambitious and powerful regional organization for international cooperation in the world. A mystery to many and derided by some, the EU has weathered intense geopolitical and economic storms over the last two decades. In doing so, it has expanded its tasks and roles to new areas, especially in the fields of security and climate change.

For students who want to understand the European union in all its facets—its history, its politics, its unparalleled supranational legal system, and its institutional and governance system—the European minor is the only university program in Leiden focused on the EU.

In addition to core courses, a stand-out feature of our minor is the opportunity to choose between elective seminars led by experts in the field, where you will engage in intensive class discussions and debates, and receive personalized instruction. The European minor also prepares students interested in following a MA in European Union Studies with us in Leiden, and trains students for a wide range of careers in government, journalism, NGO and advisory work, and business.

Courses and prospectus

Minor
Course	EC
The European Union Today	5
The History of European Integration	5
Institutions of the European Union	5
The Political Economy of the European Union	5
Social Europe	5
Migration in the European Union	5
EU Foreign and Security Policies	5
Contesting Europe: the EU and Russia	5
Populism in Europe: Democracy and its Discontents	5
The EU's climate leadership in an unraveling world	5

You can find additional information on this minor in the Prospectus.
Please note: the prospectus and course descriptions are subject to change.

Related master programmes

The minor European Union Studies is considered a valid pre-master for the MA International Relations/European Union Studies.

Admission and application

Students can apply for this minor from 19 May at 13.00 via EduXchange. The deadline for application is 30 June.

Juliette Herman

MA student, European Politics and Society

I decided to pursue this minor because I wanted to understand this massive organisation that influenced my daily life. Of course, you can read about the EU in the papers, but to truly understand it is something else. Eventually, EUS was what led me to pursue a Master’s degree focused on the EU as well, even though my initial focus in my BA International Studies was on Latin America.