Joint Master in European Public Governance

Overview

Joint Master in European Public Governance, organized by UCLouvain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Università di Pisa. The programme provides an in‑depth understanding of the current challenges facing European democracies (climate change, economic inequalities, migration) through interdisciplinary study of political science, law, history, and economics.

Program Structure

Students spend the first semester at UCLouvain. They then undertake teaching semesters at a minimum of two partner institutions (UCLouvain, HU, UNIPI), with the possibility of teaching at all three. One semester may be spent at another Circle U. university via Erasmus, provided that agreements exist. The final semester (Q4) is dedicated to writing the master’s thesis at a partner institution where the student has already completed at least one semester.

• UCLouvain (Semester 1)
  • Political History of the EU (5 ECTS)
  • Economic History of the EU (5 ECTS)
  • EU Legal System & Political System (15 ECTS)
  • EU Advocacy Training (5 ECTS)
• UCLouvain (Semester 2)
  • Digital Economy in the EU (5 ECTS)
  • Internal Market & Competition Law (5 ECTS)
  • Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights (5 ECTS)
  • EU Gender and Non-discrimination Policies (5 ECTS)
  • Seminar Designing and Managing EU-funded Projects (5 ECTS)
• UNIPI (Semester 2)
  • International Law and Law of International Spaces (9 ECTS)
  • Political Thought in the Age of Globalisation (6 ECTS)
  • EU external action and the challenges of the EU enlargement Institutional Law (3 ECTS)
  • English as a foreign language (6 ECTS)
  • Optional Course (6 ECTS) – choose from:
    • Economics
    • Political Science
    • Law and International History
• HU (Semester 2)
  • Vocational Module (5 ECTS)
  • Social Transformations and Economic Change (5 ECTS)
  • Comparative Government (15 ECTS)
  • Global, European Politics (15 ECTS)
  • Sociological Issues (15 ECTS)
• UCLouvain (Semester 3)
  • Advanced issues in Economic and Monetary Union (5 ECTS)
  • Climate and Energy Transition in the EU (5 ECTS)
  • Ecosystems and Human Health in the EU (5 ECTS)
  • Defence and Security Policies (5 ECTS)
  • Migration and Mobility in the EU (5 ECTS)
  • EU Fiscal and Social Policies (5 ECTS)
• UNIPI (Semester 3)
  • History of Transatlantic Relations and Russia-Europe Relations (5 ECTS)
  • European Sociological Theory (6 ECTS)
  • Optional Course (6 ECTS) – choose from:
    • Economics
    • Political Science
    • Law and International History
• HU (Semester 3)
  • Democracies in Comparison (5 ECTS)
  • Germany in Change (5 ECTS)
  • The EU: Its Borders and Neighbours (10 ECTS)
  • Comparative Government (15 ECTS)
  • Global, European Politics (15 ECTS)
  • Sociological Issues II (15 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Describe and explain the EU’s economic, political, legal and historical foundations and governing principles
• Develop a critical and expert opinion on key challenges facing the EU (climate change, artificial intelligence, migration, rule‑of‑law threats, etc.)
• Understand, analyse and evaluate major EU policies (trade, environment, defence and security, migration, etc.)
• Write policy papers and develop advocacy/lobbying strategies
• Apply for and manage EU funding

Your Profile

• Interest in European affairs, the functioning of the EU, and its place in the world
• Desire to develop cutting‑edge expertise and critical thinking on EU policies and governance
• Willingness to learn from leading academics and high‑level practitioners from EU institutions
• Motivation to acquire practical skills that will help in applying for EU‑related jobs

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree in Political or Social Sciences
• Working knowledge of English (C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference)
• Successful admission according to academic results, prerequisite requirements, and demonstrated motivation
• Compliance with mobility rules across UCLouvain, Humboldt‑Universität zu Berlin, and Università di Pisa