Trinational MA in European Studies (Europa-Master) Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Uniwersytet Opole
Université de Bourgogne, Dijon

Courses are held in

• English (in Opole and Mainz)
• French (in Dijon)
• German (optional in Mainz)

Participants can choose to write their Master's thesis in either language.

The MA European Studies (Europamaster) offers a specialisation in European cultures, societies, politics and law at three renowned European universities in Opole (Poland), Mainz (Germany) and Dijon (France). During the course of your studies, you will gain intensive “European” experiences – intercultural, international, and cosmopolitan. You will also learn and practise three national languages – Polish, French and German – plus English as the European lingua franca. You will study in a cohort of 30 students per year and go from Opole to Mainz and to Dijon together as a group. This cosmopolitan experience will open up many professional opportunities for you. 

We are proud that the DAAD and DFH/UFA provide funding and scholarships for the programme and for groups of students for many years.

Designed for graduates holding a first degree in political science, law, social sciences, or a related field, the programme leads to a career-oriented degree. It not only broadens the participants’ general socio-scientific knowledge (both theoretical & empirical) but also focuses on the political and social challenges and opportunities related to Europe and the European integration processes. With its strong foreign-language component, the programme also improves intercultural skills.

Subjects include inter alia European and international institutions, democratic mechanisms (especially in multi-level systems), legal foundations of decision-making in the EU, and European policies and politics. Special attention is given to Eastern European states. The programme in a nutshell: covering topics related to the political, institutional, social, and cultural foundations and processes of European politics and institutions.

Participants gain specialised knowledge and skills that will qualify them for a wide range of employment opportunities with a European and international focus. The programme is specifically designed to provide students with an authentic European experience through study periods in three different European countries and university systems. This enhances not only language skills but also personality and character. The Trinational Europamaster is designed to prepare students for the international job market, where bilingual and bicultural education are in great demand. Our MA European Studies is one of the few programmes that takes this into account.

During the first three semesters, students stay together in a small multinational group that moves together as a single cohort from one partner university to the next. It is an extraordinary feature of the MA European Studies that successful participants receive degrees from all three partner universities, because the programme is recognised in all three countries as a national MA degree. With its harmonised module syllabus, the programme allows for the preservation of different national academic traditions and customs.

We invite gifted and motivated graduates who, besides having a strong interest in European affairs, share a special interest in the three partner countries of the programme: Poland, Germany, and France, countries that share a long history of intense and complex relations. It is ideal for students who already have a certain proficiency in one or more of the teaching languages involved in the programme.

All applicants: 15 May for the following winter semester

The Trinational MA in European Studies: Study Europe – Live Europe!

• four semesters
• 120 ECTS credits
• three universities
• three degrees
• three languages

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, starting with orientation days. During this period, you may learn some 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 sciences 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, international institutions and current challenges of the EU. There will be an opportunity to engage in a simulated European decision-making process called "Model European Union Mainz". People from many countries in Europe and beyond take part in this international politics simulation.

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, you will specialise in topics relating to European law and European institutions. Courses are taught in French.

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 your location

In the fourth semester, you will write your Master's thesis and take your final examinations. You may choose and spend this semester at one of the three partner universities by arrangement with your lecturers. The obligatory six-week internship with a European focus shall be completed in this semester.

M10: Internship and Exam Module

After successfully completing the programme, you will receive an MA European Studies degree with national certificates from all three partner universities.

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• Participants form an international cohort of students, as every partner university recruits up to 10 students for the programme.
• Students in the cohort begin their studies in the first semester in Opole (Poland). They move together to Mainz (Germany) for the second semester and to Dijon (France) in the third semester.
• Students learn European languages at every partner university (notably French, German and Polish) in every semester.
• Courses are taught in English (in Opole and Mainz) and French (Dijon). German is optional (in Mainz).
• Students may write their Master's theses at a partner university of their choice (international co-supervision is an option).
• International guest lecturers contribute regularly to the curriculum and academic education.

The Trinational MA in European Studies is an international Master's programme in which you study abroad for up to three consecutive semesters. Students in each cohort begin their studies in Opole (Poland), and they go to Mainz (Germany) together in the second semester and to Dijon (France) in the third semester. In the fourth semester, students write their Master's theses at one of the three universities of their choice (international co-supervision is an option).

An internship of at least six weeks relating to European policy or European law is an obligatory part of the programme. The internship shall be completed in the fourth semester.

No tuition fees

The Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz charges an administrative fee (approx. 350 EUR / semester), including a semester ticket. Students from partner universities can be exempted.

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

English at B2 and French at level B1 are additional admission requirements.

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 B2 level:
(e.g. a B2 or equivalent certificate; a documented record of at least four years of high-school English 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 B1 level:
(e.g. a B1 or equivalent certificate, a documented record of at least three years of high-school French 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

Students recruited in Mainz enjoy:

• a DAAD mobility grant for the first semester in Opole
• a DFH/UFA mobility grant for the third semester in Dijon
• Erasmus funding for one or two semesters

In Mainz, the "Studierendenwerk" offers accommodation for university students. (Shared) housing is also available on the private market. The cost for accommodation in a student dormitory starts at around 350 EUR per month.

In Opole and Dijon, student accommodation is available through student services or on the private market. Our partners will help you with further details.

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Career Service:
https://www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/career-eng/

International Office at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz:
https://www.international-office.uni-mainz.de/

https://www.studium.uni-mainz.de/en/starting-your-studies-as-an-international-student/