International and European Governance (MSc)

No nation-state can solve today's global challenges on its own. In the specialisation International and European Governance you will obtain a deep understanding of the interplay between the international, EU, and (sub)national governance systems and how this interplay affects the capacity of public authorities to address cross-border societal challenges.

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Public Administration (MSc)

Medeina Markeviciute

Alumna Master Public Administration: International and European Governance

'The Master Public Administration offers great theoretical knowledge through interactive teaching methods and utilizing real-life examples, with the Hague being a perfect place to apply these skills in practice. During the International and European Governance track, I learned the significance of political interests, negotiation and cooperation, which will have a direct impact on my future career in promoting European and democratic values.'

Curious about my current career progression? Please visit my LinkedIn profile.

Mart Peedel

Alumnus Master Public Administration: International and European Governance

The programme was highly practical, including various decision-making simulations and a day at a ministry, proposing policies for real-life issues surrounding us.

Prior to starting Leiden University's MPA International and European Governance specialisation, I expected an academic and theory-heavy experience, similar to how I had studied in my bachelor’s. However, the actual programme was highly practical, including various decision-making simulations and a day at a ministry, proposing policies for real-life issues surrounding us. The lectures and seminars gave a strong theoretical grounding, while the simulations showed how things can play out in practice in ways that theory often doesn't quite capture. Having a mix of both prepared me well for internships and future roles in EU and international governance.

Curious about my current career progression? Please visit my LinkedIn profile.

Beatriz Santos Mayo

Alumna Master Public Administration: International and European Governance

‘The Public Administration programme combined everything I was looking for. It has a strong focus on public policy, the flexibility to explore my interests, and the chance to study in an international city like The Hague.’

I chose the International and European Governance specialisation because I was looking for a programme with a strong focus on European public policy. Throughout the year, I became even more interested in European governance, especially through one of my electives, where I explored how European institutions and policymaking work in practice. The programme also helped me improve my quantitative and research skills. Through different courses and my master's thesis, I learned how to apply research methods to different policy domains.

Curious about my current career progression? Please visit my LinkedIn profile.

What does this master's programme entail?

In the specialisation International and European Governance you learn to formulate governance solutions to adress cross-border societal challenges. You will do this by applying state-of-the-art scientific knowledge of EU and International institutions and decision-making processes. It provides you a deep understanding of the complex, multi- layered nature of contemporary public governance and corss-border societal issues. You will gain state-of-the-art insights in how governments and stakeholders from the public and private sector can work together in complex multi-level governance systems. The International and European Governance specialisation prepares you for positions in international organisations as well as national public and private sector organisations that need to cope with the implications of an increasing global policy-making environment.

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Four reasons to choose International and European Governance at Leiden University

In the International and European Governance specialisation of the Master in Public Administration:

You gain expertise in decision-making processess and institutional architectures of International and European institutions and international networks.
You become aware of the complex interplay between international, European and national public policy making processes, preparing you for a career as a policy advisor in international and national public institutions or in the private sector.
You hone your analytical skills, much needed for today's data-driven and evidence-based decision-making context.
You study in The Hague, the bustling city of international peace and justice and the Dutch political-administrative centre.

Find out more reasons to choose Public Administration.

International and European Governance: the right master’s programme for you?

Are you interested in the dilemmas and challenges of governments and societies worldwide?
Do you want to address these issues from a multi-level, multi-stakeholder governance perspective?
Are you interested in the ways that international organisations and nation-states might work together to solve globalised problems in an effective and legitimate manner?

Then this is the study for you!