Master in Legislative Studies

The Master in Legislative Studies aims to contribute to further the knowledge and studies in the functioning of contemporary decision-making processes at regional, national, European and international levels. The course is a blend of theoretical and practical approaches geared towards securing the employability of future graduates as they chose their career paths, either in the public or private sector. The programme consists of lectures and seminars delivered by both academics and practitioners, specialised in public administration, law, ethics, geography, philosophy, polytechnics, political science and sociology.

This multidisciplinary approach arms student to better engage with the complex issues governing legislative procedures, along with anthropological, cultural, environmental, geopolitical and technological challenges faced by political systems.

The Master in Legislative Studies operates as a programme under the auspices of the Chair for Research in Parliamentary Studies of the Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, at the University of Luxembourg. It is also the result of a partnership with the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie and General Secretariat of the European Parliament.

The course is taught in French language (75%) and English language (25%). The master programme is the fruition of a unique teaching and research partnership among the University of Luxembourg, Aix-Marseille University, Babes-Bolyai University and Université Laval*. These unique collaborations, under the umbrella of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, encompass 90 parliaments spread over 5 continents (56 member-parliaments, 15 associated-member parliaments and 19 observer-parliaments) among which the Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, together with co-legislative bodies (Constitutional Courts, Councils of States, Courts of Auditors, Ombudspersons etc…).

*as from September 2021 (double-degree path)

The programme is laid down across four Concentrations (see below). Students are to complete their first year (M1) in one of the four participating universities, based on their choice of concentration. Students are to be based at the University of Luxembourg, where the second year (M2) is to be taught.

• “Legislative studies, comparative politics and European politics”, University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg)
• “Parliamentary law and electoral law”, Aix-Marseille University (France)
• “Parliaments, internationalisation and continental experiences (Asia, Africa, etc), Babes-Bolyai University (Romania)
• “American legislative studies and public administration*”, Laval University (Canada)

* available as from September 2021

• To enhance the understanding and analysis of the functioning of assemblies of deliberative bodies, of their decision-making processes and that of citizens’ right to elect their representatives through political elections.
• To monitor trends and foster the emergence of novel decision-making processes and practices, ensconced in a democratic and multi-level governance framework, including public and private regulators.
• To be part of a thorough, empirical and practical research endeavour, arrayed through continued thinking of the topics.
• To forge tailor-made studies driven by internship theses and/or research projects, upon request of relevant bodies.
• To foster an environment conducive to interactions among decision-makers, scholars and students through federating events (internships and field trips)
• To offer graduates the opportunity to specialise in the craft of preparing normative instruments (such as statutes, regulations, guidelines, international agreements, codes of conduct and governmental contracts) and in the development of public policy.

Students and professionals in life-long training can look for possible career prospects in:

• Professional lobbying organisations registered with public bodies and parliaments.
• Audit and consultancy firms.
• Co-legislative bodies at international, European, national, regional levels (parliaments, constitutional courts, courts of auditors, councils of states, ombudspersons and related parties, etc.).
• Parliamentary and governmental departments for public policy evaluation, certification agencies and national ethics councils.
• Non-governmental organisations, trade unions, political parties and parliamentary groups.