Uniwersytet Opole
Université de Bourgogne, Dijon
All applicants: 15 May for the following winter semester
The Master's programme aims to not only broaden the participants' general socio-scientific knowledge (both theoretical & empirical), but also specifically focuses on the political and social challenges and opportunities related to Europeanisation and European integration processes. The programme has an extensive foreign-language component and aims to improve intercultural skills.
Designed for graduates holding a first degree in political science, law, social sciences, or related fields, this programme leads to an advanced career-oriented degree and gives participants the opportunity to study in an international environment.
Subjects covered include, but are not limited to, democratic mechanisms (especially in multi-level systems), legal foundations of decision-making in the EU, and European policies. Additionally, the programme covers topics related to the political, institutional, social, and cultural foundations and processes of European politics. Special attention will be given to the Eastern-European member states that have recently joined the EU.
Participants will gain specialised knowledge and skills that will qualify them for the expanding range of employment opportunities with a European focus. The programme is specifically designed to provide students with an authentic European experience through study periods in three different European countries. This offers them the opportunity to enhance their language skills in at least two foreign languages. The programme is uniquely designed to prepare students for the demands of the modern international job market. In today's Europe, the demands of the job market require more than just a bilingual and bi-cultural education. This Master's programme is one of the few programmes that takes this into account.
The programme, which is jointly conceived and offered by the Universities of Opole, Mainz, and Dijon, gives participants the chance to spend at least one of the two years abroad, in two different European countries. During the first three semesters of the programme, participants stay together in a small multinational group (15 to maximum 30 participants from at least three countries) that moves from one partner university to the next. Last, it is an extraordinary feature of the programme that successful participants receive degrees from all three partner universities; in other words, the programme is recognised in all three countries as a national MA degree. The programme and module syllabus have been harmonised, allowing for the preservation of different national academic traditions and customs.
The programme is intended to attract particularly gifted and motivated graduates who, besides having a general interest in European affairs, share a special interest in the three countries where the programme takes place. Poland, Germany, and France share a long history of intense and complex cultural, political, and economic relations. The regions of Opole, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Burgundy have additionally signed a trilateral treaty aimed at fostering cultural cooperation. The programme is ideal for students who already have a foundation in one or more of the programme's languages and aim to expand their horizons by exploring another important European country.
The Trinational MA in European Studies: Study Europe – Live Europe!
The European Master's programme provides specialisation in the fields of culture and society (Opole), European politics and integration (Mainz), and European law (Dijon). It enables a maximum of 30 students per year to immerse themselves in an intensive "European" experience by studying in three distinct European countries.
The curriculum in detail:
First semester: Uniwersytet Opole
The semester in Opole begins at the end of September every year, commencing with orientation days. During this period, you can learn your first Polish words; go on excursions; and familiarise yourself with the city, the Master's programme, and your fellow students. The focus of your studies in Opole will be on social and cultural science issues in Europe.
Module (M) 1: Political Science and European Studies
M2: Central Europe in the European Integration Process / Culture and Society in Europe
M3: Foreign Languages I
Second semester: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
In Mainz, the programme focuses on the political science analysis of European integration, European decision-making procedures, and the current challenges of the EU. In the summer, you will have the opportunity to engage in a simulated European decision-making process called "Model European Union Mainz". This simulation involves people from many countries in Europe and around the world.
M4: Advanced Module: Politics in Europe
M5: Advanced Political Science and Study Project: Politics in Europe
M6: Foreign Languages II
Third semester: Université de Bourgogne, Dijon
In the capital of Burgundy, the study focus will be on European law and European institutions.
M7: European Institutions and European Law
M8: European Politics in Selected Policy Areas / European Basic Rights and Freedoms
M9: Foreign Languages III
Fourth semester: you can choose a university
In the last semester, you will complete an internship of at least six weeks, complete the Master's thesis, and take the final exam.
M10: Internship and Exam Module
After this, you will have a Master's degree in European Studies from three countries with three certificates!
PDF DownloadFirst semester: Uniwersytet Opole
Second semester: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Third semester: Université de Bourgogne, Dijon
Fourth semester: In the last semester, you will complete an internship with relevance to Europe, write your Master's thesis, and take the final examination. This semester is usually supervised from your home university, but you can also complete your studies at one of the other three universities.
An obligatory internship of at least six weeks is to be completed during the fourth semester. The internship shall take place at an institution/organisation/company with a European focus or orientation.
The Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz charges an administrative fee of approx. 350 EUR per semester. This includes a public transport ticket, which allows you to use buses, trams, and the underground for free in Mainz and in the surrounding area (such as Frankfurt or Wiesbaden).
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, law, economics, media or communication studies, history, philosophy, or cultural studies with the degree comprising at least 65 credits in political science and/or law
For further information, e.g. on the recognition of foreign degrees from non-EU countries, please consult our website.
Applicants must provide proof of their English and French language skills.
Proof of language proficiency in English at least at level B2:
(e.g. a B2 or equivalent certificate; a documented record of at least four years of high-school English that was completed with a passing grade; a TOEFL certificate with at least 213 (computer-based test, CBT), 79 (Internet-based test, IBT), or 550 (paper-based test, PBT) points; an IELTS certificate with at least 5.5 points; or a transcript of records issued by a university in the UK, the United States, Canada, or Australia, proving the successful completion of at least one semester's worth of university courses taught in English)
Proof of language proficiency in French at least at level B1:
(e.g. a B1 or equivalent certificate, a documented record of at least three years of high-school French that was completed with a passing grade, or a transcript of records issued by a French university proving the successful completion of at least one semester's worth of university courses taught in French)
German and Polish language skills are not required.
All applicants: 15 May for the following winter semester
In Mainz, accommodation is available through the "Studierendenwerk" or on the private market. The cost for accommodation in a student dormitory starts at around 350 EUR per month. More information is available here.
In Opole and Dijon, student accommodation is also available through student services or on the private market. Please ask our partner for further details.
International Office at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz:
https://www.international-office.uni-mainz.de/
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