M.A. European Studies

Study Structure

1. Semester: Uniwersytet Opole

The semester in Opole begins at the end of September each year with orientation days, where you can learn your first words of Polish, go on excursions, and get to know the city, the Master's program, and your fellow students. The focus of your studies in Opole will then be on social and cultural science issues in a European context.

„Political Science and European Studies: Introduction“ (Module 1)

In the first introductory module you will deal with the history of central political institutions as well as social movements in Europe. You will also get an introduction to political communication and political psychology.

„Central Europe in the European Integration Process“ or „Culture and Society in Europe“ (Module 2)

In the second module, you can choose between two focal points: Either you concentrate on the European integration process - focusing especially on the Central European states - or you focus on the EU enlargement to the East and human rights situation in Europe.

„Foreign Languages, I“ (Module 3)

The third module consists of two language courses. You will choose two of each of the three languages of the trinational master's program - Polish, French and German. If you already have a very good command of two of the languages, then choose another European language.

2. Semester: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

In Mainz, the course focuses on the political science analysis of European integration, European decision-making procedures and current challenges for the EU. In the summer, you will then simulate European decision-making procedures yourself with people from many countries in Europe and around the world.

„Advanced Module: Politics in Europe“ (Module 4)

In Module 4, you will take courses on the political system of the EU, current European challenges, and political philosophy in Europe.

„Advanced Political Science and Study Project: Politics in Europe“ (Module 5)

In the fifth module, you will become active yourself: The module consists of a project seminar, in which you will prepare your own project outline on current challenges facing the EU, and a methods seminar. You will also take part in a simulation of EU decision-making procedures lasting several days. In the simulation, current legislative proposals on topics such as climate neutrality and migration policy are discussed. Other young people from Europe and around the world will come to Mainz for the simulation, and there will be plenty of time for exchange and discussion. The simulation is prepared by a seminar in which you will learn about the institutions and decision-making procedures of the EU.

„Foreign Languages, II“ (Module 6)

During the semester in Mainz you will also take two language courses (e.g. French and Polish) and thus continue your language training from the first semester.

3. Semester: Université de Bourgogne, Dijon

Finally, in the capital of Burgundy, the focus of study is on European law and European institutions.

„European Institutions and European Law“ (Module 7)

This module introduces you to European law and institutions and also focuses on European financial regulation and budgetary policy.

„European Politics in Selected Policy Areas“ or Module 8b „European Basic Rights and Freedoms“ (Module 8)

You can choose between two modules (8a and 8b) and focus either on European fundamental rights and freedoms or on two other policy areas - European environmental policy and economic policy. In both cases, you will also take a course that complements your methods training.

„Foreign Languages, III“ (Module 9)

In Dijon you will again complete your two language courses.

4. Semester

Module 10 „Internship and Exam Modul“

In the last semester, you will complete an internship of at least six weeks with European relevance, complete the Master's thesis and take the final exam. This semester is usually supervised from your home university.

Students of the "Europa-Master" study in three major European countries which provides unique career opportunities for our graduates. In this way, the trinational degree ties in with the idea of the "Weimar Triangle", which symbolizes the friendly cooperation between France, Germany and Poland and also stands for how the future in Europe can be shaped together at different levels across borders.

At the conclusion of the European Master's, you will receive national degrees from all three partner universities. You can thus prove in France, Poland, Germany and beyond that you have recognized expertise on politics and law in Europe, that you have life experience and networks in at least three EU member states and that you speak three to four European languages. For graduates with such a profile, the doors of Europe will be wide open!

With a Master in European Studies you can actively shape Europe. The numerous professional fields include, for example:

• a European, or Europe-oriented, public institution,
• an international organisation with a European focus,
• a commercial enterprise operating on a European scale, or
• more generally, political journalism or communication,
• adult civic education,
• political counseling, or
• last, but not least, in academia.