MSC in European Studies
Maastricht University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Maastricht, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,209 / per year
Application deadline
01 Jun 2024
Earliest start date
01 Sep 2024
Introduction
Do you want to broaden your knowledge of European politics and policies in a programme that combines the study of political science with international relations, history, and sociology? Are you ambitious, with a keen motivation to pursue a career that requires strong research competencies, such as in a think tank or in academia, or jobs in politics and journalism? And are you interested in being part of a small, close-knit community of students and researchers? If so, the two-year interdisciplinary European Studies programme is the right choice for you.
- Choose a study specialization (year 1): Europe and the World / Governance and Representation in Europe / Historicising European Union.
- Choose a graduation package (year 2): Double Degree / Study Abroad / Research Internship.
Unique features
- A small, close-knit community of students and researchers (average intake of 12-15 students);
- Over 90% of international students;
- Awarded 'Top Rated Programme' label (Keuzegids 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019);
- Top-rated faculty (Keuzegids 2016, 2017, 2018);
- Scholarships are available for tuition, maintenance, study abroad, and internships.
Admissions
Curriculum
Why this programme?
The research-intensive master’s in European Studies is an interdisciplinary program that combines political science and international relations with history and sociology. Research plays a primary role from the outset, with research projects integrated into each core module. You will gain in-depth training in methods such as quantitative and qualitative techniques, comparative methods, and discourse analysis. You will also develop skills in designing research, writing research proposals and policy reports, publishing your work, and applying for funding and research positions in think tanks, governmental institutions, or academia. For the elective component, you can complete a research internship, do an exchange abroad, or do a Double Degree at the University of Cologne.
In this programme, you will:
- Learn to critically analyze and discuss challenges facing the EU;
- Gain experience working in a multidisciplinary, international academic environment;
- Receive in-depth training in conducting high-quality research;
- Focus on designing, implementing, and publishing your own research.
Programme highlights
The research-intensive master’s in European Studies is unique in that it:
- Prepares you for a high-level research career in academia or the professional world;
- Involves senior faculty members who do research with one of the largest and most international research groups in European Studies and who bring this research into the classroom;
- Has a truly international student body: about 90% of our students come from abroad;
- Allows you to specialize in qualitative or quantitative research and in a research theme: Historicising European Union, Governance & representation in Europe, or Europe & the world.
A future in research
The overall objective of this program is to equip graduates for high-level research careers in and outside academia. Thanks to the networks and activities of the research staff at Maastricht University, you will enjoy unique access to researchers at other universities, policymakers at EU institutions and member state administrations, Brussels-based interest groups, think tanks, and other actors. Students in this program also take an active part in the Politics and Culture in Europe research programme, which is one of the largest research groups in European Studies.
Politics and Culture in Europe
Students in this programme also take an active part in the Politics and Culture in Europe (PCE) research programme, which is one of the largest research groups in European Studies. PCE is an established interdisciplinary research program at Maastricht University. The group seeks to understand and explain the process of European integration and its political, institutional, and ideational aspects by viewing the EU policymaking process against the backdrop of its historical, cultural, and international contexts. Its research focuses on the Public Bureaucracies of a Globalising World. This research is integrated into the curriculum, and by participating in the research yourself, you will gain valuable research experience.
PCE research themes
- Administrative governance in the EU and beyond
- Europe in a globalizing world
- Historicising the EU: Forms of European cooperation since the 19th century
Master's thesis
As part of your master’s thesis, you will have frequent meetings with your supervisor and can consult with methodology specialists. Past topics have included:
- The new European right: Exploring the reasons for the varying success of radical right populist parties in Western Europe;
- Security for whom? A discourse analysis on the emergence of the security-development nexus at the European level;
- EU external governance and the Iranian and North Korean nuclear crisis. A comparative analysis of the EU’s nuclear non-proliferation regime (2002-2006);
- A normative power Europe? The case of the EU’s promotion of human rights towards China;
- An asymmetrical economic and monetary union for Europe: Balancing technical argument and political will in the negotiations on economic and monetary union (1988 - 1991).
Teaching methods
The research-intensive master’s in European Studies integrates the teaching of advanced knowledge with research done by the students themselves. This integration is achieved through the use of various teaching methods:
- Seminars are given in modules of four or eight weeks in which the most important theories and concepts pertaining to a substantial theme are taught via lectures and tutorials;
- Tutorials are small group discussions on lectures and literature;
- Workshops give you the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts learned; they're organized around research assignments carried out individually or in small teams;
- Methodology courses take place in parallel to the modules and provide you with the necessary methodological concepts and techniques for conducting research;
- Skills training provides you with the practical skills for conducting and presenting research, such as research design, publishing, and grant acquisition;
- Research projects include a substantial research paper at the end of the first year and a master’s thesis to be presented at the end of the second year.
International classroom
From day one, you will be challenged with differing viewpoints and experiences as you interact with staff and students from all over the world. Your worldview will be enhanced by this interaction, helping you develop international accessibility and understanding. Roughly 90% of the students in this master’s program come from outside the Netherlands. Such diversity creates an international atmosphere that is strengthened by the international orientation of the program.
Teaching staff
- Anna Herranz-Surrallés, Program Director
- Patrick Bijsmans
- Giselle Bosse
- Thomas Conzelmann
- Camilo Ehrlichman
- Vincent Lagendijk
- Karin van Leeuwen
- Andreea Nastase
- Yf Reykers
- Luana Russo
- Eli Sapir
- Hans Schmeets
- Aline Sierp
- Aneta Spendzharova
- Paul Stephenson
- Sophie Vanhoonacker
- Mariëlle Wijermars
Premium honors programme
Want to gain that extra edge by getting real-world experience during your studies? The Premium honors programme will help you gain the experience and develop the skills employers are looking for. As part of a team of students and under the guidance of our academic staff, you’ll spend about three months working on a real-world assignment for a company, NGO, or educational institution. You'll also work on a personal development plan, receive intensive individual coaching, and attend masterclasses and workshops. All of this will take about 250 hours, but it will give you a lifetime of benefits.
Courses & curriculum
The research-intensive master's in European Studies focuses on research into the politics and policies of the European Union and into the wider historical and international contexts of the process of European integration. You will develop the theoretical and methodological knowledge and the analytical skills to pursue a high-level career in EU research.
Specialization courses
- Histories of European Integration: Historical/Qualitative Approach
- European Integration: State of the Art
- Introduction to Research Methods of European Studies
- Social Science Statistics
- Writing and Presenting a Research Paper
- Historicizing European Union
- Methods and Sources in Historical Analysis
- Qualitative Interviewing
- Research Design
- Qualitative Content Analysis
- The Symbolic Construction of the European Community
- Research Project
- Thesis Proposal
- European Integration: State of the Art
- Writing and Presenting a Research Paper
- Qualitative Interviewing
- Research Design
- Qualitative Content Analysis
Democracy and Representation in Europe: Quantitative Approach
- European Integration: State of the Art
- Introduction to Research Methods of European Studies
- Social Science Statistics
- Writing and Presenting a Research Paper
- Democratic Governance and Representation in Europe
- Linear and Generalised Linear Regression
- Research Design
- Survey Data Methodology
- Lobbying and Expertise in the European Policy Process
- Multilevel and Longitudinal Modelling
- Research Project
- Thesis Proposal
Europe and the World: Qualitative Approach
- European Integration: State of the Art
- Introduction to Research Methods of European Studies
- Social Science Statistics
- Writing and Presenting a Research Paper
- Case Study Methods and Process-Tracing
- European Foreign Policy
- Qualitative Interviewing
- Research Design
- Qualitative Content Analysis
- The EU, Russia, and China: Competing approaches to Global Governance
- Research Project
- Thesis Proposal
Europe and the World: Quantitative Approach
- European Integration: State of the Art
- Introduction to Research Methods of European Studies
- Social Science Statistics
- Writing and Presenting a Research Paper
- European Foreign Policy
- Linear and Generalised Linear Regression
- Research Design
- Survey Data Methodology
- Multilevel and Longitudinal Modelling
- The EU, Russia, and China: Competing approaches to Global Governance
- Research Project
- Thesis Proposal
Second year courses
Year 2: Internship
- Research Internship (individual research project)
- MSc thesis
- Academic Publishing and Grant Acquisition
Year 2: Study Abroad
- Study abroad
- MSc thesis
- Academic Publishing and Grant Acquisition
Year 2: Double Degree program
- Study abroad
- MSc thesis
- Study at Double Degree Partner University
Rankings
81% of the research master European Studies students would recommend this programme to others: Elsevier 2019
Here are some of the highlights from the research-intensive master's programme in European Studies:
- 81% of the students recommend this programme to others
- 88% of the students are satisfied or very satisfied with the instructors
- 84% of the students are satisfied or very satisfied with the set-up of the programme
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Your future
Graduates of the research-intensive master’s in European Studies are fully prepared to pursue a career that requires strong research competencies. Our alumni either go on to do doctoral research or find a professional research position at a think tank, consultancy, NGO, government agency, or private research institute.
Career prospects
Of all our graduates 90% are employed and 10% work as a Ph.D. Candidate. More examples of positions our graduates ended up in:
- Researcher, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
- Diplomat, Federal Foreign Office, German Government
- Policy Advisor, European Commission
- Policy Officer, Research Service, European Parliament
- Research Assistant, European Journalism Centre
- Reporter, Inter Press Service (IPS)
- Senior Business Analyst, McKinsey & Company Advisor
- Internal communications advisor, Vallourec
- Ph.D. Candidate, University of Vienna
- Ph.D. Candidate, Cologne University
- Ph.D. Candidate, Maastricht University
Many of our graduates work in renowned organizations, such as:
- European Parliament
- European Commission
- Foreign Office, Dutch Government
- German Parliament
- Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations
- Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
- Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA)
- Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning
- European Journalism Centre
Program Outcome
Research skills
The curriculum has an intensive focus on developing skills, such as:
- Searching for specialist literature
- Managing bibliographic references
- Designing a study
- Interpreting findings
- Presenting results
- Writing for publication
A future in research
The overall objective of this programme is to equip graduates for high-level research careers in and outside academia. Thanks to the networks and activities of the research staff at Maastricht University, you will enjoy unique access to researchers at other universities, policymakers at EU institutions and member state administrations, Brussels-based interest groups, think tanks and other actors. Students in this programme also take active part in the Politics and Culture in Europe research programme, which is one of the largest research groups in European Studies.
Next to this, research master students from Maastricht University are often invited to join the activities organised by the Netherlands Institute of Government (NIG) and the Research School Political History (RSPH).”
Scholarships and Funding
As an open and accessible academic community, UM offers several scholarships to support top-performing undergraduate and graduate students with personal development potential that are experiencing financial difficulties to pursue a degree at UM. UM scholarship students function as important ambassadors of the university during and after their studies.UM scholarship students are selected on the basis of their academic excellence, extracurricular engagement, active citizenship and financial need. As the number of scholarships is limited, the selection process is highly competitive.