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:

Programme

You will be required to produce an original research-based thesis at the end of the programme, on a topic of your choice. Major topics are:

  • Institutions of the EU
  • The History of European Integration
  • European Law
  • Economics of the EU

You will be expected to concentrate your research on one or more crossover topics. These could include:

  • Agricultural and Rural Development and Refugees
  • Migration and Justice
  • Economic and Social Policy
  • Foreign and Security Policy
  • EU enlargement

For extensive information about the programme please see the European Union Studies website
An up to date course overview, can also be found in the e-Prospectus .

What our students say

“It exceeded my expectations by far.”

“My application for European Union Studies at the University of Leiden was definitely the best decision I have made in the last few years.
While working as a journalist in my home country Lithuania, I decided that I would like to extend my knowledge of the European Union. However, from experience I knew that I would need more than just theoretical knowledge of the field. I was therefore looking for a study that is explicitly taught by experts who promote hands-on learning rather than just dry facts.

After exhaustively searching websites of universities from all over the world, I found this particular programme. It was immediately clear to me that this was exactly what I was looking for. Actually, now I can confidently say it exceeded my expectations by far.

To start with, I was taught by amazing teachers from all over the world with their superb and interesting seminars. I also had the chance to listen to and discuss issues with prominent people like former NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer or Dutch Central Bank President Nout Welling.

Secondly, I enjoyed the multicultural environment (about two-thirds of the group were foreign students) and very close-knit atmosphere.

Finally, I was positively surprised that during this programme students are also encouraged to be active outside the classroom: movie nights, many possibilities to attend different conferences, experience in study associations and opportunities to attend summer schools all across the world.

All together – it is an exceptional programme! If anyone were to ask me where to get hands-on knowledge about the European Union, I would advise them not to waste time considering other options, but to come straight to Leiden.”

Giedre Lesmaityte

Thesis subjects

What are the thesis’s subjects?

Some recent examples:

  • Maria Ilies, A Comparative Perspective of National Approaches to Irregular Economic Migrants. A case study on Italy and the Netherlands (2006-2007)
  • Michael Coles, Biometric Security within the European Union: Balancing individual liberties with collective security (2007-2008)
  • Antonet Abbink, The Food Chain dimension in EU Rural Development Policy. Issues of governance in the global agro-food economy (2007-2008)
  • Hans Arts, “If you cannot join them, beat them”. How national parliaments can help to legitimize the European Union (2006-2007)

See the full list