Master of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives

Catholic University of Leuven (KU)

• Konum Leuven, Belçika
• Degree Type Master
• Start Date No info
• Duration No info
• Application Deadline No info
• Language İngilizce
• Attendance On Campus
• Dedication Full-time
• Pace Instructor-paced
• Tuition fees No info

Program description

The interdisciplinary and international Master of Arts in European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives (MAES)offers insights and knowledge about the nature and functioning of Europe both in the contemporary world and in an historical perspective.

What is the program all about?

This program invites ambitious and talented students from all over the world and various disciplinary backgrounds to study Europe as a continent of strong interactions across national boundaries and constant exchanges with the outside world. Our research-­driven education enables you to anticipate and find solutions for complex global challenges that transcend national and disciplinary boundaries. Interaction with staff members from various disciplines and faculties (Social Sciences, Arts, Law, Economics, and Theology) exposes you to a wide range of theoretical approaches and allows you to acquire crucial methodological skills.

All courses are taught in English and complemented by many guest lectures delivered by internationally renowned scholars and high-ranked European diplomats and officials. Our students also benefit from their interactions within a highly international group of nearly 40 nationalities. Moreover, we organise various study trips to the European and transatlantic institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg as well as excursions to the historical World War I battlefields.

Structure

All MAES students take a common course on 'Transnational and Global Perspectives on Europe' and write a Master thesis. In addition, students choose a major and a minor out of the following modules as well as at least one elective from any of the modules or the additional electives:

• European History, Integration and Political Order
• European Diversity and Cultural Policy
• European Governance
• European External Relations
• Globalising Europe
• European and Global Political Economy
• Social Europe and European Welfare States
• Sustainability and Europe
• Europe and its Eastern Neighbourhoods
• Europe and its Southern Neighbourhoods
• Europe and Asia

All courses are taught during the day and for most courses your attendance is required. It is therefore difficult to combine a job with this demanding program.

Student profile

The Master of Arts in European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives is a demanding and specialised initial master's programme. It is advisable to apply only if, in your previous studies, you obtained at least 'cum laude' ('honours' / 'with distinction' / 'onderscheiding').

• You are capable of using and discussing scholarly ideas and literature in English.
• You have good analytical skills and are open to interdisciplinary thinking.
• You have a general knowledge of world history, global politics, European history, politics, society and culture and of European integration.
• You possess basic methodological skills for conducting research in the humanities and are familiar with ICT tools. You are, furthermore, capable of working individually on a research topic and organising work independently.

Students who have not yet obtained sufficient preliminary knowledge of Europe and the EU during previous academic studies should prepare themselves through thorough self-guided study. Consult the MAES website for a list of background reading.

Objectives

The multidisciplinary ‘Master of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives’ engages students to study Europe as a continent of strong interactions across national boundaries and constant exchanges with the outside world. By choosing one of the five modules, students focus on:

• Transnational perspectives on European history, society, diversity and culture.
• The external relations and policies of the European Union.
• The position and interactions of Europe in a context of globalisation and global governance;
• The interactions and comparisons between Europe and Asia.
• Or the connectivities and dynamics in the history and current affairs of Russia, wider Europe and the European Union.

The multidisciplinary and research-based education enables students to acquire skills to understand, contextualize and assess complex challenges that transcend disciplinary boundaries as well as national and regional borders. It allows students to engage in a critical debate about Europe within a context of complex internal and external dynamics, and formulate alternative options. Interaction with staff members of various disciplines and faculties exposes students to a wide range of academic approaches in the study of Europe. Supervision by individual staff members, particularly in the context of their master thesis, provides students with focus and guidance for their own research.

Career opportunities

MAES graduates are equipped with in-depth knowledge of various aspects of European politics, law, history and culture, are schooled in various research methodologies, and are able to communicate their findings to a diverse audience. MAES graduates are thus well positioned for a wide range of professional pursuits.

Many of our alumni work for European institutions and interest groups, provide advice on European affairs to national, regional or local administrations and governments, or work as European affairs officers for private companies and non-governmental organisations. Others are engaged in national and multinational diplomacy or hold academic positions in European politics, economy, history and culture at universities all over the world. Still, yet other alumni inform the public about European affairs as journalists or cultural officers.

Having delivered its first graduates almost 30 years ago, MAES counts many prominent figures in European affairs among its alumni. Many of them attribute their MA degree in European Studies as a decisive factor in their career success.