Master in European Affairs

The academic offering of the School of Public Affairs is structured around a choice between the Master in European Affairs and the Master in Public Policy, combined with a policy stream. 

Programme Objectives of the Master in European Affairs

The Master in European Affairs provides a high-quality education and training for students seeking careers in European affairs, within the institutions and agencies of the European Union, the national administrations of Member States, international organisations, as well as the private sector.

The objective of the Master’s programme is to train specialists in European affairs capable of analysing the key issues and transformations shaping Europe, understanding the institutional and political dynamics of the European Union and its Member States, and applying their expertise in support of public and private actors operating at European and international levels.

The Master brings together students from more than 35 countries, primarily from European Union Member States, but also from Ukraine, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, China and Singapore, among others. It also benefits from an international and multidisciplinary faculty, comprising academics, researchers, European and national civil servants, as well as leading professionals working in European affairs.

General Structure of the Master in European Affairs

The standard Master in European Affairs programme (excluding dual-degree programmes) is completed over two years, comprising four semesters of study. The final semester is spent off campus, giving students the opportunity to undertake a full-time internship, write a Master’s thesis, develop a personal project or go on an exchange semester, depending on their professional goals.

Students may also choose to complete their second year (M2) through an apprenticeship track.

Students may take a gap year between their first and second years (M1 and M2), and may also undertake optional part-time internships during their studies.

Students enrolled in the Master in Public Policy complement this core curriculum with a policy stream.

Policy streams

Language requirements

Depending on the admissions procedure applicable to you, choosing a programme requires proficiency in English to pursue the Master in European Affairs, as well as proficiency in French if you choose a policy stream taught in French.

For further information regarding admissions procedures and language requirements for admission to the Master in European Affairs, please consult the Sciences Po Admissions Office website.

The Core Curriculum of the Master in European Affairs — Understanding Europe in all its dimensions

By combining law, economics and political science, and complementing these courses with practical experience of the European decision-making process, the Master enables students to develop a comprehensive and practical understanding of the European Union. They acquire the tools necessary to analyse European policies, understand the mechanisms underpinning them, and engage with the various actors involved in their development.

Master in European Affairs students take five core courses over the two taught semesters, regardless of their chosen policy stream.

Semester 1

European Law

European law is a key pillar of the European Affairs curriculum. It enables students to understand the legal foundations of the European Union, the functioning of its institutions, and the way EU law shapes European policies and produces tangible effects for Member States, businesses and citizens.

The Master offers two courses in English, at different levels, considering the knowledge and academic experience students have acquired during their previous studies, particularly in law and European studies. Students can therefore either acquire the fundamentals of EU law or deepen their understanding of its application through the position and rights of individuals within the European legal order.

The Constitutional Foundations of the European Union (beginner level)

This course provides a solid understanding of the European Union’s constitutional system. It covers, in particular, the origins and legal nature of the Union, the division of competences between the Union and its Member States, the functioning of the institutions and the decision-making process, as well as the sources of EU law, the principles of primacy and direct effect, and the European judicial system.

A Europe of Freedoms and Rights (advanced level)

This course provides an in-depth approach to EU law through the position and rights of individuals within the European legal order. Following a review of the foundations of EU law, it examines the internal market and the various freedoms of movement. The course also addresses European citizenship and the area of freedom, security and justice, demonstrating how EU law concretely shapes individuals’ rights and experiences across Europe.

European Economics

Economics of European Integration

This course enables students to gain a better understanding of how the European Union’s economy functions, how its Member States coordinate their economic policies, and how the Union responds to crises and transformations in its economic environment.

After establishing the key foundations required to analyse the European economy, the course examines the development of its institutional architecture and macroeconomic governance, including the role of the European Central Bank and the Stability and Growth Pact.

It also explores major recent economic crises and the responses to them, as well as the microeconomic dimensions of European integration, particularly through the EU budget, competition policy and trade.

Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation

The Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation course provides students with the tools needed to assess public interventions, examining in particular their relevance and effectiveness and using data as a foundation for evaluation.

Taught by a team of academic and professional experts, the course occupies a central place in the School’s mission to develop and promote a strong culture of public policy evaluation, both in theory and in practice.

Students can choose from three levels depending on their existing quantitative skills and their learning objectives.

Semester 2

The Politics of the European Experiment

This course offers a political perspective on the European experience and examines the nature of the European Union and what makes it politically distinctive.

It addresses, in particular, relations between Member States and citizens, the democratic functioning of the Union, its place and role in the global economy and on the international stage, as well as tensions between unity and diversity.

The course also examines how the European Union responds to the crises and challenges it faces, and how it develops its political project.

The EU Simulation

During the second semester, students put their knowledge into practice through a simulation of the European legislative procedure.

Students are assigned different roles within the decision-making process (including Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the Council and the European Commission, journalists, lobbyists and experts) and participate in the various stages involved in drafting and adopting a piece of European legislation.

This simulation enables students to gain practical familiarity with the decision-making and governance mechanisms of the European institutions, while developing their ability to formulate proposals, negotiate and defend a strategic position.

It also provides practical training in diplomacy, negotiation and public speaking, while developing skills such as leadership, problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork.

Preparation for European Competitions and Internships

During the second semester, Master’s students may take courses offered by the Sciences Po Centre for Preparation for European Competitions (CPCE), which supports them in preparing for recruitment competitions for European institutions, particularly the administrator competitions organised by EPSO (AD5 and AD7).

The preparation covers the different stages of the selection process, from verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests (RVNA) to written examinations and the final stages of recruitment.

It also enables students to gain a better understanding of the different pathways into European careers, including the CAST procedures.

In addition to preparing students for recruitment competitions, the Master offers dedicated courses to help them prepare and strengthen their applications for internships within the European institutions, particularly the BlueBook traineeships at the European Commission and Schuman traineeships at the European Parliament. 

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