Universiteit Leiden

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European Union Studies (MA)

About the programme

The specialisation in European Union Studies examines the processes of European integration from an interdisciplinary angle by a mix of specialists, academic researchers and experts with direct experience in policy-making and policy-implementation.

Programme structure

The study programme includes four specialisation core courses, one general course, a thesis preparatory course, three electives, two seminars and the final Master's thesis. For a more detailed programme and an overview of all the possible electives, please check the Prospectus.

Internship

You have the opportunity to do an internship at an organisation in the Netherlands or abroad. This experience is highly valued within international organisations. Organisations that our students have interned at include:

  • Dutch Ministry of Defense
  • Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies around the world
  • Media outlets such as EenVandaag
  • Netherlands Permanent Mission to the United Nations
  • Netherlands Institute for International Relations ‘Clingendael’
  • The International Centre for Counterterrorism
  • The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

Please note that you will need to find your own internship and have to follow an internship procedure for approval. Pursuing an internship may have consequences for the date of your graduation.

Pamela Mulder

Graduated in MA European Union Studies

Pamela Mulder

"I work as a European subsidy advisor for the province of South Holland. It’s a big field and the work is diverse: from a farm at Texel that works with salty strawberries to a university that works on artificial lungs. People often do not realise how much influence the European Union has on the provincial level. You can have a lot of influence on what’s happening around you."

Broaden your horizon of job opportunities "When I was studying, everybody was focused on working in Brussels for the European institutions, but there are so many job opportunities on a regional or local level, where you are still working with EU related issues. I would advise students to look into those jobs as well."  

Is European Union Studies the programme for you?

Check the admission requirements to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme.

Check the admission requirements

Europe Hub

Alongside the regular study programme, students of the specialisation in European Union Studies can also attend EU seminars with practitioners from various backgrounds. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the different perspectives on the challenges the European Union is facing and to become familiar with day-to-day work of European institutions. Recent speakers have included Roberta Metsola MEP, the President of the European Parliament, and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, formerly the Secretary General of NATO (2004-09) and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs (2002-03). Learn more about the EU seminar series.

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