Master of Science in European Politics and Policies (MEPP)

  My profile | Admission requirements | Study programme | Studying abroad | Assets | Career prospects| Registration fee | More information | Application

Fact sheet

The Master's

Master of European Politics and Policies, a combination of European Public Administration and European Policies and Politics.

The MEPP programme has both an explicit European and a public administration orientation. Your postgraduate programme will include both the study of the institutions, decision-making and policies of the European Union as well as the analysis of public sector problems and solutions in European countries. Being part of a wider European Master in Public Administration Network, you will have the opportunity to go abroad for the second semester. We seek to combine academic excellence – facilitated through research-based education, taught in a small, international group – with a continuing concern for the practical challenges professionals face. You will hear first-hand from practitioners and are invited for multiple visits to the EU institutions.

My profile

To embark on the MEPP programme, you should have a solid background in institutional developments and political processes in your home country and at the international or European level. In addition, you should show a genuine interest in comparative analysis and in the European integration process. We expect you to be open to diversity in the European context and to have excellent communicative skills in view of group work and academic writing of publications and reports.

The programme is primarily directed towards graduate students of the humanities and social sciences, and those with professional experience in (European) public management and public administration or in the European arena in general.

Admission requirements

A university degree consisting of at least 4 years of study (Master's degree or equivalent) in the fields of Political Science, Sociology, Law, Economics or Contemporary European History is required. This degree should be obtained 'cum laude' ('honours'/ 'with distinction') from an internationally recognised university.

The Steering Committee may consider the cases of candidates with a degree in other fields than the ones mentioned above either on the grounds of professional experience or based on additional studies in a relevant field.

All applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language by submitting the results of an internationally recognised language proficiency test, indicating a C-level on the Common Framework of Reference level of the Council of Europe.

To the definitive admission requirements
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Study programme

The MEPP programme consists of three modules, amounting to 60 credits:

1. During the first semester, all students attend courses at KU Leuven.
2. During the second semester, students may attend courses either at KU Leuven or at one of the participating institutions of the EMPA network (see below).
3. Finally, students are expected to produce a publishable thesis (15000 words) that contributes to the theory and practice of public administration and public policymaking in the European context.

The curriculum is characterized by a strong core of compulsory courses, providing all students with a solid introduction to the comparative study of public policies, public administration and public management in the different national traditions on the one hand and with the dynamics of European integration on the other.

As both dimensions of the programme are present in the compulsory core, no subgroups are provided. However, thanks to the rich variety of elective courses, students can choose either specific policy issues (political economy, foreign policy, international security, social policy), or a more historical, political, economic or legal approach. Students will of course have the opportunity to combine their particular interests.

The research dimension is particularly stressed by a single and compulsory research seminar that introduces students to the methods and tools of comparative research on decision-making, policies and administration in Europe. Twenty credits are allocated to the Master’s thesis and research seminar.

To a detailed overview of the programme

Studying abroad

The MEPP programme is part of a wider network, the European Master of Public Administration Network (EMPA). The following institutions are full partners of the MEPP programme:

• Université de Genève (Switzerland);
• Corvinus University of Budapest (Hungary);
• Deutsche Hochschule für Verwaltungswissenschaften Speyer (Germany);
• Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (France); • University of Vaasa (Finland);
• University of Liverpool (United Kingdom);
• Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (The Netherlands);
• Rijksuniversiteit Leiden (The Netherlands);
• Bocconi University (Italy);
• Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia);
• Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium).

MEPP students are offered the possibility to continue the second semester of their study programme at one of the abovementioned EMPA institutions. They receive a travel reimbursement and are exempted from paying any additional registration fees. Successful students will be awarded an EMPA certificate, signed by both the home university and the partner institution. More information on the procedure for participation in the EMPA exchange programme can be found on our website.

Assets

Given the fact that the MEPP programme is a postgraduate programme, the student group is relatively small (approximately 30 students). This allows for more active teaching methods, group discussions, group work and presentations, which facilitates a rich learning experience. Moreover, the international student body enables you to broaden your horizon and to engage in the programme from different perspectives.

In addition to attending the courses, MEPP students are invited to visit a number of European and international institutions. Each year we organise study trips to the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions of the European Union, and to some representation offices of the European regions in Brussels. These study trips enable you to observe the proceedings of the main European institutions from the inside and to meet various European officials during symposia, workshops, conferences and guest lectures organised at the KU Leuven.

Finally…is there a better place to study Europe than at the heart of Europe, 25 minutes from Brussels?

Career prospects

This intensive, one-year MEPP experience is the perfect beginning to a fantastic career. The Master of European Politics and Policies is a road to jobs in the European policy area, European or national administrations and even the private sector, lobby groups and more. Jobs may vary from advisory to more specialised positions or coordinating tasks.

Registration fee

To the definitive registration fees

More information

Extra admission requirements upon application

• Motivation letter (2 pages), describing your reasons for wishing to participate in the MEPP programme.
• Statement (and if possible, proof) of previous research experience, experience with writing papers or a thesis.

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If you have any questions, please contact:

Coordination Office
Coordinator MEPP programme
Parkstraat 45 bus 3609
BE-3000 Leuven
tel. + 32 16 32 31 01
fax + 32 16 32 30 88
E-mail

Application