European Union Studies

Degree: Master of Arts in European Union Studies
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February (Start in September is strongly recommended)
Language of instruction: English
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The European Union is an increasingly complex and fascinating political and socio-economic landscape. The one-year MA in European Union Studies covers the EU’s broad geographical sweep from an interdisciplinary perspective.
On this programme you will be led by academic staff internationally renowned in their fields, many of whom can draw upon their practical experience in politics, government, advisory bodies and think tanks. They are therefore fully equipped to give you an insider’s viewpoint on the machinations of the EU’s governing bodies and day-to-day operations.

The information about this programme is available in the following languages:

Career

As a graduate with a solid grounding in the main issues of the European Union, you will be highly employable both in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. Joint research programmes and EU-administered regulations are ensuring that both employers’ and employees’ organisations are in regular need of qualified graduates in this field.

The intrusion of the EU into ever more areas of society means that an increasing number of organisations—both in the public and the private domain—are coming into contact with ‘Brussels’. The staff at these organisations, however, often has little or no up-to-date knowledge of what goes on there. In addition, the network of organisations around ‘Brussels’ itself (the Commission, Parliament, think-tanks and pan-European interest groups) is continuously expanding.

As a result, there are a variety of career options available within the Brussels-based EU organisations, as well as the myriad non-governmental organisations, research institutes, and businesses which are operational within the inner-circle of the EU insitutions. Possible positions include policy officer, journalist, press officer, counsellor, Personal Assistant, and many other positions

What our alumni say

“To undertake an MA in EU Studies in Leiden was the best decision I could have made.”

“The decision to undertake an MA in EU Studies in Leiden was definitely the best career decision I could have made. Now, just a year after graduating, I work as a consultant at the EU Secretariat of the State Chancellery in Estonia. I believe my MA from Leiden was a great asset in getting the job.

On the one hand, Leiden itself is an excellent place to study due to its compact infrastructure, great facilities and inspiring academic environment. Add a very dedicated programme director, top-level professors and lectures, and a well thought-out curriculum, and you get probably one of the best places to undertake EU studies in Europe.

What I especially liked about our programme was its design: whilst you go through all the basics during the first half of the year, building a strong basis, the broad selection of possible courses in the second half of the year gives you an opportunity to specialise. This is when you choose your focus, and use the tools you have been given to study policy fields of your own choice in greater depth.

Furthermore, whilst the textbooks are there to support your studies, the lectures with hands-on experience are the real value of the second semester courses. It’s amazing how much more you can gain from them than from textbooks or from a purely theoretical learning environment.

I believe this master’s programme is an excellent start for a professional or academic career.”

Katrin Juhandi, consultant at the EU Secretariat of the State Chancellery in Estonia