Become a student

Become a Student

Choose where to begin your transatlantic journey

MATA is a two-year, full-time joint degree offered by the College of Europe and The Fletcher School at Tufts University. You may begin in Bruges, Natolin or the Boston area, study on both sides of the Atlantic and graduate with one jointly awarded, 120-ECTS Master of Arts in Transatlantic Affairs.

Your starting institution determines your application process, first-year curriculum, tuition and financial-aid arrangements, and normal second-year sequence.

Applications through the College of Europe for the 2027–2028 academic year are expected to open in October 2026. Applicants wishing to begin at Fletcher should consult Fletcher’s admissions website for the next published application cycle and deadline.

[Compare the two starting routes]

[Admissions requirements]

[Fees and funding]

Is MATA right for you?

MATA is designed for internationally minded, self-directed students and early-career professionals who want to:

study in both Europe and the United States;
understand transatlantic issues from European and American perspectives;
develop expertise in diplomacy, governance, regional affairs, security, trade, technology, climate or another policy field;
combine academic study with professional experience;
learn within a multinational and intercultural community;
take an active role in shaping their academic and professional pathway;
prepare for an internationally oriented career.

One close-knit transatlantic community

Whichever route you choose, you will become part of the College of Europe, The Fletcher School and the close-knit MATA community.

MATA Study Trip 26-27.02.2026, Brussels | College of Europe

MATA combines academic excellence with practical experience. The close-knit cohort gives students regular contact with MATA faculty and personalised support in developing their academic interests and professional goals. It also brings together a bright, internationally minded network and provides the knowledge, skills and connections needed to build a career in transatlantic affairs.”

Nicolás Fernández de Bobadilla Albert, MATA ’27
MATA Student Representative, 2025–2027

Admissions requirements

MATA applies the same academic and professional admissions requirements regardless of whether you wish to begin at the College of Europe or The Fletcher School.

Applicants should have:

at least four years of university study;
at least six months of relevant professional experience;
a strong interest in transatlantic affairs;
basic knowledge of the European Union;
the academic preparation required for their intended study track.

Applicants will typically have studied a relevant subject, such as international relations, political science, diplomatic studies, European or American studies, contemporary history, law, economics, business or another related field.

Applicants intending to follow the EU International Relations and Diplomacy track should have prior knowledge of EU institutions and decision-making.

All applicants selected for further consideration must participate in an admissions interview.

Compare the two starting routes

Where would you like to complete your first year?

MATA students may begin at either the College of Europe or The Fletcher School. The programme applies the same academic and professional admissions requirements to both routes, but each institution administers its own:

application system and required documentation;
application deadline;
interview arrangements;
scholarship and financial-aid process.

Apply through the institution at which you wish to begin MATA.

Both routes lead to:

the same jointly awarded MATA degree;
academic study at both the College of Europe and Fletcher;
participation in the shared MATA curriculum;
a master’s thesis with academic input from both institutions;
membership in both institutions’ alumni communities;
the option to follow an eligible second-year internship route.

The application procedure regarding the 2026-2027 intake for the Master of Arts in Transatlantic Affairs will open in October 2025. Students will pay the regular tuition fee at each partner institution, except during the time of their internship. Partial scholarships and tuition fee waivers are available. The College of Europe and The Fletcher School also support students in their internships search.

At a glance

	Start at the College of Europe	Start at Fletcher
First-year location	Bruges or Natolin	Medford/Boston area
First-year emphasis	Specialised European study track	Interdisciplinary international affairs
Application submitted to	College of Europe	The Fletcher School
MATA admissions requirements	Same programme-wide requirements	Same programme-wide requirements
Application process	College application, documentation and deadline	Fletcher application, documentation and deadline
First-year curriculum	One of four College study tracks	Coursework across Fletcher’s academic divisions
Partner-institution study	Fletcher	College of Europe
Usual internship region	United States	Europe
Financial-aid process	College scholarship process	Fletcher financial-aid process
Final award	Joint 120-ECTS MATA degree	Joint 120-ECTS MATA degree
Alumni membership	College of Europe and Fletcher	College of Europe and Fletcher

This comparison is a simplified guide. Academic sequences, internship locations, fees, funding and immigration requirements are governed by programme rules and may vary by cohort. Internship locations are not guaranteed and remain subject to the nature of the placement and programme approval.

Route 1: Start at the College of Europe

Build your specialisation in Bruges or Natolin

Begin with a specialised European academic track before broadening or deepening your expertise at Fletcher.

Your first year

Complete two semesters at the College of Europe through one of four MATA study tracks:

EU International Relations and Diplomacy — Bruges;
European Political and Governance Studies — Bruges;
European Interdisciplinary Studies — Natolin;
European Security and Strategy — Natolin.

Because your study track determines your first-year curriculum and campus location, review the four options carefully before submitting your application.

[Compare the four study tracks →]

Your second year

Depending on your approved route, you may:

complete one semester of coursework at Fletcher and one semester undertaking a three- to four-month internship; or
spend the full academic year completing coursework at Fletcher.

Students beginning at the College of Europe and following the internship route are encouraged to undertake their placement in the United States.

The master’s thesis develops throughout the programme with academic input from both institutions.

How to apply

Submit your application through the College of Europe application system and identify your intended MATA study track.

Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year are expected to open in October 2026.

[View College of Europe application instructions →]
[Apply through the College of Europe →]

Route 2: Start at The Fletcher School

Begin with interdisciplinary international affairs

Begin in the United States and build a broad interdisciplinary foundation before continuing your studies at the College of Europe.

Your first year

At Fletcher, students build breadth through coursework across:

International Law and Organizations;
Diplomacy, History and Politics;
Economics and International Business.

Your second year

Depending on your approved route, you may:

complete one semester undertaking a three- to four-month internship and a semester at the College of Europe; or
spend the full academic year completing coursework at the College of Europe.

Students beginning at Fletcher are encouraged to undertake the internship in Europe. The master’s thesis is supported by faculty connected with Fletcher and the College of Europe.

During their first year, Fletcher starters prepare for the College component of the programme and select the appropriate College study track and campus in consultation with the MATA academic team.

How to apply

Submit your application through The Fletcher School’s admissions process.

Fletcher sets a separate application deadline for candidates wishing to begin MATA in the Boston area. Consult Fletcher’s admissions website for the deadline applying to your intended entry year.

[View Fletcher application instructions and deadlines →]
[Apply through The Fletcher School →]
[Contact a Fletcher admissions counsellor →]

Fees and funding

How fees work

MATA students pay the applicable tuition and fees at the institution where they are studying:

College of Europe fees apply during College coursework;
Fletcher tuition and fees apply during Fletcher coursework;
no tuition is charged during the internship semester;
students using College accommodation during an internship may be responsible for applicable board-and-lodging charges.

Fees are set separately by the two institutions and are subject to annual change.

Current fees

For the 2026–2027 academic year:

College of Europe, Bruges: €30,000 for a full academic year;
College of Europe, Natolin: €29,000 for a full academic year;
Fletcher: $61,450 in annual tuition, plus applicable fees and living expenses.

These figures are provided for reference only. Applicants should consult the live College of Europe and Fletcher fee pages for the amounts applying to their entry year.

[View current College of Europe fees →]
[View current Fletcher tuition and estimated expenses →]

[View provisional second-year fees and arrangements]

Provisional second-year College fees

For a six-month College coursework semester during 2027–2028, the currently published provisional fees are:

Bruges: €17,000;
Natolin: €16,900.

These figures are subject to confirmation and include board and lodging during the six-month period.

These amounts include tuition and board and lodging for the six-month period and remain subject to confirmation.

Fletcher coursework semester

The cost of a Fletcher coursework semester is based on Fletcher’s applicable tuition and fees for that academic year. Because the 2027–2028 rate has not yet been published, applicants should consult Fletcher’s live tuition page when the new rate becomes available.

Internship semester

No tuition is charged during the approved internship semester.

Students should nevertheless plan for expenses including:

accommodation;
meals;
health and travel insurance;
local transportation;
visa or immigration costs;
travel to and from the internship location.

Students who retain College of Europe accommodation during the internship may be responsible for the applicable board-and-lodging charges.

Important note

Fees depend on a student’s starting institution, campus, academic sequence and year of study. The figures above are illustrative and subject to annual confirmation by the College of Europe and The Fletcher School.

Scholarships and financial support

The College of Europe and Fletcher administer separate scholarships, tuition waivers and financial-aid processes.

Applicants should:

review funding opportunities at the institution where they intend to begin;
observe the relevant scholarship and financial-aid deadlines;
investigate support for their period at the partner institution;
research external funding opportunities;
budget separately for travel, visas, insurance and expenses not included in tuition or College board-and-lodging packages.

The College offers full and partial scholarships to eligible students, while Fletcher considers applicants through its own financial-aid process. MATA students are encouraged to explore funding options for both years of study.

[Explore College of Europe scholarships →]
[Explore Fletcher financial aid →]

The internship

Most MATA students select a second-year route that includes a high-level internship related to transatlantic affairs.

Students are responsible for identifying suitable opportunities and applying directly to host organisations. The College of Europe and Fletcher support the process through career resources, guidance, professional networks and information about relevant opportunities.

All proposed internships must:

have a substantive connection to transatlantic affairs;
provide appropriate professional responsibilities;
meet MATA’s duration and academic requirements;
receive programme approval before they begin.

Organisations named elsewhere on the MATA website are examples of internships secured by previous students. They do not represent guaranteed placements or formal recruitment arrangements.

[Learn about the MATA internship →]

Ready to apply?

Choose where you want to begin, review the corresponding application instructions and submit your application through that institution.

Start at the College of Europe

Begin in Bruges or Natolin through one of four specialised European study tracks.

[Explore the College route →]
[Apply through the College of Europe →]

Start at The Fletcher School

Begin with interdisciplinary international-affairs coursework in the Boston area.

[Explore the Fletcher route →]
[Apply through The Fletcher School →]