European Governance

Study real-life challenges from different angles

The Master’s programme in European Governance explores pressing concerns facing Europe today:

• How do we handle crisis like the Covid-19 crisis collectively?
• How do we manage flows of refugees into Europe?
• How can we regulate financial markets?
• How can Europe make the transition to a green economy and sustainable forms of energy?
• Will reforms to welfare states foster economic growth, and if so, how do we approach these reforms?
• How do we make the EU more legitimate and responsive to the needs of its citizens?

These are amongst the most important questions facing the European Union today. Each issue involves activities at the local, national and European level, and each requires insight into the fields of economics, law and public administration. The interdisciplinary Master’s programme in European Governance will equip you with the knowledge and skills to answer these questions and to formulate appropriate responses to the challenges they pose. Our programme prepares you to deal with and work within the framework of European governance – both in Brussels and at home.

Live and study in two different European locations

The Master in European Governance is a unique double-degree programme offered in partnership with Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic), the University of Konstanz (Germany) and University College Dublin (Ireland). As a student you will study and live in two different European locations. This means that during the first year of the master, you  study at one of the partner universities (Masaryk University Brno, University of Konstanz, University College Dublin). The second year all students will come to Utrecht. This allows you to study European governance from two different perspectives in the context of a unique personal experience. Read more about the participating universities and the double degree.

Watch the video to see Programme Director Femke van Esch together with a student and alumna elaborate about this programme.

Participating universities

These are the universities that are offering this unique double-degree programme:

Double Degree

Once you have graduated, you will receive two Master's degrees, one from each university, specifying that the degree was completed in cooperation between the universities. The two degrees are equivalent to the Master’s degree in countries of the four partner universities as follows:

• Brno (Czech Republic): Magistr/ Magistra (Mgr)
• Konstanz (Germany): Master of Arts (Ma)
• Dublin (Ireland): Master of Science (MSc)
• Utrecht (The Netherlands): Master of Science (MSc)

To study and live in Central Europe helps you to understand the diversity of Europe even better

Programma Objectives 

In our European Governance programme, you will:

• Obtain two Master's degrees from highly reputed universities.
• Become a trained professional with the skills to apply theory to real-life challenges.
• Analyse issues of European governance from different angles, involving economics, law, and public administration.
• Study in two different cities and countries, where you will have a unique opportunity to see various levels of government at work in two different contexts.
• Write a final thesis and do an internship within an organisation that deals with issues of European governance.

After graduation

You will develop the skills to analyse complex problems of European governance from multiple perspectives, including economics, law, political science and public administration. You will learn to apply abstract knowledge and theory to real-life problems through case studies, simulations and policy-oriented research projects. The challenging course content will train you to use academic knowledge to analyse and solve complex problems in different contexts and from different perspectives. This skill set opens up a wide range of job opportunities in local, regional and national governments; EU institutions; other European organisations; non-profit and for-profit organisations; and consultancy firms that deal with issues of European governance. Read more about the Career prospects.