Armenian-Georgian Cultural Days in Natolin
The College of Europe in Natolin hosted Armenian-Georgian Cultural Days - celebrating the rich traditions, history, and shared heritage of Armenia and Georgia. Organised by students for the Natolin...
Study Track: Politics and Governance
Academic Year 2026-2027
Why follow the Politics and Governance study track?
Students can diversify their studies of transatlantic affairs with a course programme offering indepth study of the EU’s institutions, governance structure, and policy areas, both internal and external. This provides advantages to students desiring to work in EU and transatlantic affairs in the future by providing a comprehensive knowledge of the EU’s policy priorities and complex institutional operations.
“The MATA degree, with its academics, professional experience and even the experience on both sides of the Atlantic, provided me with some of the keys to pursue and actively engage in a successful career in transatlantic trade and economic affairs. I can hardly wait.”
Cecilia Perez Weigel, MATA-POL student, class of 2023
MATA-POL Students starting at the College of Europe
Students of the MATA programme who choose to join the “European Political and Governance Studies” (MATA-POL) study track during their studies at the College of Europe will be specialising in the institutions and policies of the European Union for one year. Students learn the political, economic, and legal foundations of European integration, with the chance to specialise in specific institutions and policy areas. This includes policies and institutions related to transatlantic affairs, which will then be complemented by coursework on political and governance studies and international affairs at The Fletcher School.
Semester 1 (22 ECTS)
MATA-POL students will follow 7 courses during the first semester. All MATA (Y1) students at the College of Europe Bruges and Natolin campuses and The Fletcher School take the course, “US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs” (5 ECTS). This course is based at The Fletcher School.
They also take 5 compulsory POL courses: all follow “The Political Economy of European Integration” and “Governance, Politics and Policy-Making of the EU”. MATA-POL students select 3 of the following 6-hour compulsory courses: “Public Integrity and Ethics in the EU”; “Rise of Populism, Political Polarization and Fragmentation Across Europe”; ” Future of Europe – Views from the Capitals”; “The Consensus Machine: Formal and Informal Interinstitutional Cooperation in the EU”; and “EU security and defence: a new kind of geopolitical actor? Responding to traditional threats and new security challenges”.
Each student chooses 1 elective on EU Institutions, Bodies and Administration These courses are designed to familiarise students with the political and economic rationale for European integration and introduce them to the EU’s main institutions and policy areas.
MATA-POL students may voluntarily take “Research Design & Methods in Governance, Politics and Policy-Making of the EU” (no ECTS).
Compulsory MATA course
Dimitris Skiadas | US-EU Relations in the 21st Century : Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs | 27 h.
|
|
POL compulsory courses
CHANG Michele | The Political Economy of European Integration | 30h. | 6 ECTS |
KAEDING Michael | Governance, Politics and Policy-Making of the EU | 25 h | 4 ECTS |
Students select 3:
ALEMANNO Alberto | Public Integrity and Ethics in the EU* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
DE VRIES Catherine | Rise of Populism, Political Polarization and Fragmentation Across Europe* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
KAEDING Michael | Future of Europe – Views from the Capitals* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
KURPAS Sebastian | The Consensus Machine: Formal and Informal Interinstitutional Cooperation in the EU* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
WESTON Alison | EU security and defence: a new kind of geopolitical actor? Responding to traditional threats and new security challenges* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
*For this course no mark is attributed but full attendance is compulsory and any absence has to be compensated by a paper assignment. If a student fails, a mark will be attributed and mentioned on the transcript (coefficient 1) and will be taken into consideration in the calculation of a possible compensation.
Each student also chooses 1 elective on EU Institutions, Bodies and Administration that counts for 4 ECTS.
EU Institutions, Bodies and Administration
KAEDING Michael | The Role of EU Agencies as Policy Entrepreneurs in Decentralizing EU Governance | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LEHMANN Wilhelm & RIPOLL SERVENT Ariadna | The European Parliament in the EU’s Political System | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
PUETTER Uwe | The Council of the EU - Inside the EU’s Negotiation Machine | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
SAURUGGER Sabine and TERPAN Fabien | The Court of Justice of the European Union as a Policy Actor | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
SZAPIRO Manuel | La Commission européenne en pers/pros-pective : Métiers, Mutations, Réformes | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
WESSELS Wolfgang & SCHRAMM Lucas | The European Council: A Real World Analysis of the Leaders’ Institution | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
Voluntary seminar in research design (no ECTS)
TOSHKOV Dimitir | Research Design & Methods in Governance, Politics and Policy-Making of the EU | 12 h.
| - |
Students may follow any of the non-assessed Workshops in Professional Development (6h) and they may apply to participate in any of the extracurricular activities offered by the European Political and Governance Studies Department.
During this semester, students will also start preparing their thesis proposal on transatlantic affairs as well as their internship. The primary thesis supervisor will be allocated by the POL department.
Semester 2 (24 ECTS)
In their second semester at the College of Europe, MATA-POL students follow 5 courses. All MATA (Y1) students take the course, “US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Security and Trade in Practice” (5 ECTS). In the second semester, this course is focused on practical exercises.
Students must take 1 POL compulsory course: “Negotiation and Decision-Making in the EU: A Simulation Game”.
For their electives, students chose 3 optional courses.
In addition to the POL study trip to Strasbourg, all MATA students at the College of Europe participate in the MATA study trip to Brussels.
Students will continue to work on their thesis in transatlantic affairs and prepare their internship. At the end of their first year, students submit their thesis proposal.
MATA compulsory courses:
BERTI Benedetta & KOVLOVSKY Michael | US-EU Relations in the 21st Century : Security and Trade in Practice
| 20 h. | 5 ECTS |
POL compulsory courses:
HERMANIN Constanza, RIBO LABASTIDA Alejandro & SETTEMBRI Pierpaolo
| Negotiation and Decision-Making in the EU: A Simulation Game | 50 h | 8 ECTS |
Optional courses
Each student chooses 3 optional courses from 4 different clusters. Each course counts for 4 ECTS.
EU Internal Policies
BEIRENS Hanne | Managing Migration in Europe: Taking Stock of the Legal Tools, Best Practices and Practical Challenges in the Field of Migration and Asylum | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
MUNOZ Rodolphe & BERNARD Elsa
| Le marché intérieur face aux défis du 21éme siècle : libre échange, compétitivité et protection face à la montée des replis nationaux. | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
BUSCHLE Dirk and NIES Susanne | The Green Deal – Unpacking the EU´s Energy and Climate Policies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
CHANG Michele & GLÖCKLER Gabriel | Financing the EU’s Geopolitical Ambitions and Economic Transformations: EU Fiscal, Financial, and Monetary Policies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
CRESPY Amandine | The EU and the Fight Against Social Inequality | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
DELREUX Tom | Governing the green transition: EU environment and climate policy | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LORENZANI Dimitri | Foresight, Industrial Strategy, and Digital Policies: a New ‘Consistent Trio’ in the EU | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
PETERS Eric & KLEINER Thibaut | Les politiques numériques dans l’Union européenne | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
European Governance
COEN David & KATSAITIS Alexander | Interest Representation in the EU | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
HODSON Dermot & WESTLAKE Martin | Politics, People and Power: Personalities and European Integration | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
HÖGENAUER Anna-Lena & MIšIK Matúš | Influence without the numbers? Challenges and Strategies of Small-to-Medium-Sized States in the EU institutions and policies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LEFKOFRIDI Zoe & CERON Matilde | Gender and Power in the EU: Theory, Policy Practice and Future Challenges | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
SCHIMMELFENNIG Frank | Differentiated Integration and the Future of Europe: Preparing the EU for Geopolitical Change, Enlargement and Policy Reform | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
VITREY de GARDEBOSC Anne | Les finances publiques de l’Union européenne | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
EU and the Member States
EYMERI-DOUZANS Jean-Michel | Comprendre la mise en œuvre différenciée des politiques européennes sur le terrain. Analyse comparée d’une Union d’États membres. | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
KASSIM Hussein | Bringing the member states back in: national narratives, domestic politics, national institutions and the EU | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LOPRIORE Marco & TINELLI Cristina
| EU Agriculture and Cohesion Policy After 2028: A Radical Shift or Revision? | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
VAN INGELGOM Virginie | Les opinions et attitudes des citoyens et citoyennes et de la société civile dans l'UE : une approche comparative | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
Europe and the World
ANGHEL Veronica & JONES Erik | Beyond Borders: EU Enlargement and Europe’s Geopolitical Turn | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
GREVI Giovanni & GÜRKAN Seda | Shifting Global Order: The EU’s Foreign Policy, Security and Defence Responses | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
HOEFFLER Catherine | L'Europe géopolitique : marchés, sécurité et technologies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LANNON Erwan | L’UE et son voisinage vers une « association politique plus étroite » et une « intégration économique plus approfondie » ? | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
Workshops in professional development
Workshops in Professional Development are an ‘added value’ of the programme. Participation is voluntary, though once registered students are expected to attend all sessions. No ECTS are attributed to these workshops.
ALCIDI Cinzia | Working with and within think tanks | 8 h. |
BANNER Helene & SCHÄFER David | How to Brief a European Decision-Maker: Strategic Political Communication in the EU Institutions | 8 h. |
COMAN Ramona | Defending Democracy and the Rule of Law in the EU Politics and Challenges through Simulation and Foresight | 8 h. |
D’ANIELLO Cesira & ROGER Christine | Want to Join an EU administration? Policies, rules, practices, culture—what you can hope for, what you can expect and what you are going to find | 8 h. |
HERBERT Didier | Mieux légiférer et l'avenir de la législation et de la politique réglementaires de l'UE | 8 h. |
HOREL Stéphanie
| EU projects in action: From budget to impact---Inside the practice of EU project management | 8 h. |
MARISSEN Vicky | Deciphering delegated and implementing acts: practical insights and tools | 8 h. |
MÜLLER, Manuel | Impactful EU Writing: publishing on online platforms, blogs and public newsletters | 8 h. |
PATTEN Russel Mcleave | EU Lobbying: Demystifying the Reality and how AI can add value to effective good governance | 8 h. |
SAINT MARTIN Florent | Assistants parlementaires et collaborateurs d’élus | 8 h. |
TOYGUR Ilke | Understanding the Impact of External Political Risks and Megatrends on the Future of Europe | 8 h. |
Students in the MATA programme will participate in the MATA study trip to Brussels to visit transatlantic stakeholders and the POL study trip to Strasbourg to visit European and international institutions.
For semester 3 and 4, students can choose between 3 options.
Option 1:
Semester 3 (24 ECTS)
At The Fletcher School, MATA-POL students will select 4 courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each) from any of the 3 divisions: International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB). They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of these 4 courses by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University.
If a student has not already made arrangements with a member of the Fletcher faculty to be their second thesis supervisor, one will be assigned during the third semester. During this semester, students will continue to work on their thesis, with 1 mandatory exchange with their primary thesis supervisor at the College of Europe
Semester 4 (50 ECTS)
Students will carry out a high-level internship (25 ECTS) related to transatlantic affairs of ideally 4 months, but at least 3 months. Students who start the MATA programme at the College of Europe are encouraged to do their internship in the United States.
In late March, MATA students will hand in their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs and the thesis defense will be in April.
Option 2:
Semester 3 (25 ECTS)
Students will carry out a high-level internship (25 ECTS) related to transatlantic affairs of ideally 4 months, but at least 3 months. Students who start the MATA programme at the College of Europe are encouraged to do their internship in the United States.
If a student has not already made arrangements with a member of the Fletcher faculty to be their second thesis supervisor, one will be assigned during the third semester. During this semester, students will continue to work on their thesis, with 1 mandatory exchange with their primary thesis supervisor at the College of Europe.
Semester 4 (49 ECTS)
At The Fletcher School, MATA-POL students will select 4 courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each) from any of the 3 divisions: International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB). They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of these 4 courses by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University.
In late March, MATA students will hand in their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs and the thesis defense will be in April.
Option 3:
Semester 3 (24.5 ECTS)
At The Fletcher School, MATA-POL students will select 4 courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each) from any of the 3 divisions: International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB). They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of these 4 courses by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University. In addition, MATA students must take a half-credit course (0.5 ECTS).
If a student has not already made arrangements with a member of the Fletcher faculty to be their second thesis supervisor, one will be assigned during the third semester. During this semester, students will continue to work on their thesis, with 1 mandatory exchange with their primary thesis supervisor at the College of Europe.
Semester 4 (49.5 ECTS)
At The Fletcher School, MATA-POL students will select 4 courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each) from any of the 3 divisions: International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB). They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of these 4 courses by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University. In addition, MATA students must take a half-credit course (0.5 ECTS).
In late March, MATA students will hand in their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs and the thesis defense will be in April.
MATA-POL Students starting at the Fletcher School
Students of the MATA programme who choose to spend their first year of studies at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy will focus to a larger extent on international relations and slightly less on European affairs than those students who begin their studies at the College of Europe.
During the 2 semesters at The Fletcher School, students must choose at least 1 course from each of the 3 divisions (‘breadth requirement’): International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB).
Semester 1 (23 ECTS)
At The Fletcher School, MATA-POL students will follow 4 courses during the first semester. All MATA (Y1) students at the College of Europe Bruges and Natolin campuses and The Fletcher School take the course, “US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs” (5 ECTS). This course is based at The Fletcher School.
Students may choose the remaining 3 courses from those offered at The Fletcher School. They may also cross-register and substitute 1 course with a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University.
MATA compulsory course:
SKIADAS Dimitris | US-EU Relations in the 21st Century : Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
During this semester, students will also start preparing their thesis proposal on transatlantic affairs and their internship. The thesis will be co-supervised by 1 professor from each institution.
Semester 2 (29 ECTS)
At The Fletcher School, MATA-POL students will follow 5 courses during the second semester. They will also continue to follow the MATA joint course entitled “US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Security and Trade in Practice”. In the second semester, this course is focused on practical exercises.
Students choose the remaining 4 courses from those offered at The Fletcher School or cross-register and substitute 1 of these courses with a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University.
Students will continue to work on their thesis in transatlantic affairs and prepare their internship. At the end of their first year, students submit their thesis proposal.
MATA compulsory courses:
BERTI Benedetta & KOVLOVSKY Michael | US-EU Relations in the 21st Century : Security and Trade in Practice
| 20 h. | 5 ECTS |
Students will continue to work on their thesis in transatlantic affairs and prepare their internship.
For semester 3 and 4, students can choose between 2 options.
Option 1:
Semester 3 (25 ECTS)
Students will carry out a high-level internship (25 ECTS) related to transatlantic affairs of ideally 4 months, but at least 3 months. Students who start the MATA programme at The Fletcher School are expected to do their internship in Europe.
If a student has not already made arrangements with a member of the CoE faculty to be their second thesis supervisor, one will be assigned during the third semester. During this semester, students will continue to work on their thesis, with 1 mandatory exchange with their primary thesis supervisor at Fletcher.
Semester 4 (43 ECTS)
At the College of Europe, MATA-POL students will follow 4 courses during the fourth semester.
Students must take 1 POL compulsory courses: “Negotiation and Decision-Making in the EU: A Simulation Game”.
For their electives, students chose 3 optional courses; in the framework of 1 of the optional courses, they will be working on their thesis.
In addition to the POL study trip to Strasbourg, all MATA students at the College of Europe participate in the MATA study trip to Brussels.
In late March, students submit their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs with a defence in April.
POL compulsory course
HERMANIN Constanza, RIBO LABASTIDA Alejandro & SETTEMBRI Pierpaolo
| Negotiation and Decision-Making in the EU: A Simulation Game | 50 h | 6 ECTS |
Students choose 3 optional courses from the different clusters. Each course counts for 4 ECTS.
EU Internal Policies
BEIRENS Hanne | Managing Migration in Europe: Taking Stock of the Legal Tools, Best Practices and Practical Challenges in the Field of Migration and Asylum | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
MUNOZ Rodolphe & BERNARD Elsa
| Le marché intérieur face aux défis du 21éme siècle : libre échange, compétitivité et protection face à la montée des replis nationaux. | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
BUSCHLE Dirk and NIES Susanne | The Green Deal – Upacking the EU´s Energy and Climate Policies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
CHANG Michele & GLÖCKLER Gabriel | Financing the EU’s Geopolitical Ambitions and Economic Transformations: EU Fiscal, Financial, and Monetary Policies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
CRESPY Amandine | The EU and the Fight Against Social Inequality | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
DELREUX Tom | Governing the green transition: EU environment and climate policy | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LORENZANI Dimitri | Foresight, Industrial Strategy, and Digital Policies: a New ‘Consistent Trio’ in the EU | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
PETERS Eric & KLEINER Thibaut | Les politiques numériques dans l’Union européenne | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
European Governance
COEN David & KATSAITIS Alexander | Interest Representation in the EU | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
HODSON Dermot & WESTLAKE Martin | Politics, People and Power: Personalities and European Integration | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
HÖGENAUER Anna-Lena & MIšIK Matúš | Influence without the numbers? Challenges and Strategies of Small-to-Medium-Sized States in the EU Institutions and Policies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LEFKOFRIDI Zoe & CERON Matilde | Gender and Power in the EU: Theory, Policy Practice and Future Challenges | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
SCHIMMELFENNIG Frank | Differentiated Integration and the Future of Europe: Preparing the EU for Geopolitical Change, Enlargement and Policy Reform | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
VITREY de GARDEBOSC Anne | Les finances publiques de l’Union européenne | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
EU and the Member States
EYMERI-DOUZANS Jean-Michel | Comprendre la mise en œuvre différenciée des politiques européennes sur le terrain. Analyse comparée d’une Union d’États membres. | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
KASSIM Hussein | Bringing the member states back in: national narratives, domestic politics, national institutions and the EU | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LOPRIORE Marco & TINELLI Cristina | EU Agriculture and Cohesion Policy after 2028: a radical shift or revision? | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
VAN INGELGOM Virginie | Les opinions et attitudes des citoyens et citoyennes et de la société civile dans l'UE : une approche comparative | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
Europe and the World
ANGHEL Veronica & JONES Erik | Beyond Borders: EU Enlargement and Europe’s Geopolitical Turn | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
GREVI Giovanni & GÜRKAN Seda | Shifting Global Order: The EU’s Foreign Policy, Security and Defence Responses | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
HOEFFLER Catherine | L'Europe géopolitique : marchés, sécurité et technologies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LANNON Erwan | L’UE et son voisinage vers une « association politique plus étroite » et une « intégration économique plus approfondie » ? | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
Workshops in professional development
Workshops in Professional Development are an ‘added value’ of the programme. Participation is voluntary, though once registered students are expected to attend all sessions. No ECTS are attributed to these workshops.
ALCIDI Cinzia | Working with and within think tanks | 8 h. |
BANNER Helene & SCHÄFER David | How to Brief a European Decision-Maker: Strategic Political Communication in the EU Institutions | 8 h. |
COMAN Ramona | Defending Democracy and the Rule of Law in the EU Politics and Challenges through Simulation and Foresight | 8 h. |
D’ANIELLO Cesira & ROGER Christine | Want to join an EU administration? Policies, rules, practices, culture – what you can hope for, what you can expect and what you are going to find | 8 h. |
HERBERT Didier | Mieux légiférer et l'avenir de la législation et de la politique réglementaires de l'UE | 8 h. |
HOREL Stéphanie
| EU projects in action: From budget to impact---Inside the practice of EU project management | 8 h. |
MARISSEN Vicky | Deciphering delegated and implementing acts: practical insights and tools | 8 h. |
MÜLLER, Manuel | Impactful EU Writing: publishing on online platforms, blogs and public newsletters | 8 h. |
PATTEN Russel Mcleave | EU Lobbying: Demystifying the Reality and how AI can add value to effective good governance | 8 h. |
SAINT MARTIN Florent | Assistants parlementaires et collaborateurs d’élus | 8 h. |
TOYGUR Ilke | Understanding the Impact of External Political Risks and Megatrends on the Future of Europe | 8 h. |
Students in the MATA programme will participate in the MATA study trip to Brussels to visit transatlantic stakeholders and the POL study trip to Strasbourg to visit European and international institutions.
Option 2:
Semester 3 (21 ECTS)
MATA-POL students will follow 8 courses during the third semester.
They take 6 compulsory POL courses: all follow “The Political Economy of European Integration” and “Governance, Politics and Policy-Making of the EU”. MATA-POL students also select 4 of the following 6-hour compulsory courses: “Public Integrity and Ethics in the EU”; “Rise of Populism, Political Polarization and Fragmentation Across Europe”; ” Future of Europe – Views from the Capitals”; “The Consensus Machine: Formal and Informal Interinstitutional Cooperation in the EU”; and “EU security and defence: a new kind of geopolitical actor? Responding to traditional threats and new security challenges”.
Each student chooses 1 elective on EU Institutions, Bodies and Administration These courses are designed to familiarise students with the political and economic rationale for European integration and introduce them to the EU’s main institutions and policy areas.
MATA-POL students also take 1 course (3 ECTS) from the Interdepartmental European Advanced Studies (IDEAs) programme.
A College of Europe thesis supervisor (a POL faculty member with whom the student takes a course in semester 3 or 4) will be assigned during the third semester. During this semester, students will continue to work on their thesis, with 1 mandatory exchange with their primary thesis supervisor at Fletcher.
POL compulsory courses |
|
|
|
CHANG Michele | The Political Economy of European Integration | 30 h. | 6 ECTS |
KAEDING Michael | Governance, Politics and Policy-Making of the EU | 25 h | 4 ECTS |
Students select 4:
ALEMANNO Alberto | Public Integrity and Ethics in the EU* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
DE VRIES Catherine | Rise of Populism, Political Polarization and Fragmentation Across Europe* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
KAEDING Michael | Future of Europe – Views from the Capitals* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
KURPAS Sebastian | The Consensus Machine: Formal and Informal Interinstitutional Cooperation in the EU* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
WESTON Alison | EU security and defence: a new kind of geopolitical actor? Responding to traditional threats and new security challenges* | 6 h. | 1 ECTS |
*For this course no mark is attributed but full attendance is compulsory and any absence has to be compensated by a paper assignment. If a student fails, a mark will be attributed and mentioned on the transcript (coefficient 1) and will be taken into consideration in the calculation of a possible compensation.
Each student also chooses 1 elective on EU Institutions, Bodies and Administration that counts for 4 ECTS.
EU Institutions, Bodies and Administration
KAEDING Michael | The Role of EU Agencies as Policy Entrepreneurs in Decentralizing EU Governance | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LEHMANN Wilhelm & RIPOLL SERVENT Ariadna | The European Parliament in the EU’s Political System | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
PUETTER Uwe | The Council of the EU - Inside the EU’s Negotiation Machine | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
SAURUGGER Sabine and TERPAN Fabien | The Court of Justice of the European Union as a Policy Actor | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
SZAPIRO Manuel | La Commission européenne en pers/pros-pective : Métiers, Mutations, Réformes | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
WESSELS Wolfgang & SCHRAMM Lucas | The European Council: A Real World Analysis of the Leaders’ Institution | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
Students may follow any of the non-assessed Workshops in Professional Development (6h) and they may apply to participate in any of the extracurricular activities offered by the European Political and Governance Studies Department.
Semester 4 (47 ECTS)
At the College of Europe, MATA-POL students will follow 5 courses during the fourth semester.
Students must take 1 POL compulsory course, “Negotiation and Decision-Making in the EU: A Simulation Game” (7 ECTS).
For their electives, students chose 3 optional courses (12 ECTS).
MATA-POL students also take 1 course (3 ECTS) from the Interdepartmental European Advanced Studies (IDEAs) (3 ECTS) programme.
In addition to the POL study trip to Strasbourg, all MATA students at the College of Europe participate in the MATA study trip to Brussels.
In late March, students submit their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs with a defence in April.
POL compulsory courses:
HERMANIN Constanza, RIBO LABASTIDA Alejandro & SETTEMBRI Pierpaolo
| Negotiation and Decision-Making in the EU: A Simulation Game | 50 h | 7 ECTS |
Students choose 3 optional courses from the different clusters. Each course counts for 4 ECTS.
EU Internal Policies
BEIRENS Hanne | Managing Migration in Europe: Taking Stock of the Legal Tools, Best Practices and Practical Challenges in the Field of Migration and Asylum | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
MUNOZ Rodolphe & BERNARD Elsa
| Le marché intérieur face aux défis du 21éme siècle : libre échange, compétitivité et protection face à la montée des replis nationaux. | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
BUSCHLE Dirk and NIES Susanne | The Green Deal – Upacking the EU´s Energy and Climate Policies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
CHANG Michele & GLÖCKLER Gabriel | Financing the EU’s Geopolitical Ambitions and Economic Transformations: EU Fiscal, Financial, and Monetary Policies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
CRESPY Amandine | The EU and the fight against social inequality | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
DELREUX Tom | Governing the green transition: EU environment and climate policy | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LORENZANI Dimitri | Foresight, Industrial Strategy, and Digital Policies: a New ‘Consistent Trio’ in the EU | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
PETERS Eric & KLEINER Thibaut | Les politiques numériques dans l’Union européenne | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
European Governance
COEN David & KATSAITIS Alexander | Interest Representation in the EU | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
HODSON Dermot & WESTLAKE Martin | Politics, People and Power: Personalities and European Integration | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
HÖGENAUER Anna-Lena & MIšIK Matúš | Influence without the numbers? Challenges and Strategies of Small-to-Medium-Sized States in the EU institutions and policies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LEFKOFRIDI Zoe & CERON Matilde | Gender and Power in the EU: Theory, Policy Practice and Future Challenges | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
SCHIMMELFENNIG Frank | Differentiated Integration and the Future of Europe: Preparing the EU for Geopolitical Change, Enlargement and Policy Reform | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
VITREY de GARDEBOSC Anne | Les finances publiques de l’Union européenne | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
EU and the Member States
EYMERI-DOUZANS Jean-Michel | Comprendre la mise en œuvre différenciée des politiques européennes sur le terrain. Analyse comparée d’une Union d’États membres. | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
KASSIM Hussein | Bringing the member states back in: national narratives, domestic politics, national institutions and the EU | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LOPRIORE Marco & TINELLI Cristina | EU Agriculture and Cohesion Policy after 2028: a radical shift or revision? | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
VAN INGELGOM Virginie | Les opinions et attitudes des citoyens et citoyennes et de la société civile dans l'UE : une approche comparative | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
Europe and the World
ANGHEL Veronica & JONES Erik | Beyond Borders: EU Enlargement and Europe’s Geopolitical Turn | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
GREVI Giovanni & GÜRKAN Seda | Shifting Global Order: The EU’s Foreign Policy, Security and Defence Responses | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
HOEFFLER Catherine | L'Europe géopolitique : marchés, sécurité et technologies | 25 h. | 4 ECTS |
LANNON Erwan | L’UE et son voisinage vers une « association politique plus étroite » et une « intégration économique plus approfondie » ? | 25 h. | 5 ECTS |
Workshops in professional development
Workshops in Professional Development are an ‘added value’ of the programme. Participation is voluntary, though once registered students are expected to attend all sessions. No ECTS are attributed to these workshops.
ALCIDI Cinzia | Working with and within think tanks | 8 h. |
BANNER Helene & SCHÄFER David | How to Brief a European Decision-Maker: Strategic Political Communication in the EU Institutions | 8 h. |
COMAN Ramona | Defending Democracy and the Rule of Law in the EU Politics and Challenges through Simulation and Foresight | 8 h. |
D’ANIELLO Cesira & ROGER Christine | Want to join an EU administration? Policies, rules, practices, culture – what you can hope for, what you can expect and what you are going to find | 8 h. |
HERBERT Didier | Mieux légiférer et l'avenir de la législation et de la politique réglementaires de l'UE | 8 h. |
HOREL Stéphanie
| EU projects in action: From budget to impact---Inside the practice of EU project management | 8 h. |
MARISSEN Vicky | Deciphering delegated and implementing acts: practical insights and tools | 8 h. |
MÜLLER, Manuel | Impactful EU Writing: publishing on online platforms, blogs and public newsletters | 8 h. |
PATTEN Russel Mcleave | EU Lobbying: Demystifying the Reality and how AI can add value to effective good governance | 8 h. |
SAINT MARTIN Florent | Assistants parlementaires et collaborateurs d’élus | 8 h. |
TOYGUR Ilke | Understanding the Impact of External Political Risks and Megatrends on the Future of Europe | 8 h. |
Thesis submission (25 ECTS) in late March and defence in April