KU Leuven

Master of European Social Security

This one-year advanced master's programme deals with social security and social protection from a legal, economic, sociological, administrative and philosophical perspective. In addition to being multidisciplinary, the curriculum contains a strong comparative and multinational component focusing on the provision of social protection rights across Europe.

About the Programme

The Master of European Social Security allows you to understand the many different approaches to social security that co-exist within the historic continent of Europe. At the same time, you will gain a better understanding of your national system within the context of the wider continental picture. The programme also includes a careful, in-depth study of the role of international bodies such as the European Union.

As a student of the programme, you’ll become part of an international network of experts in the field of social security. Students come from various European countries and beyond and have different academic backgrounds and motives for participation. The teaching staff consists of renowned professors from KU Leuven and other European universities specialising in various disciplines related to social security.

Structure

The programme comprises 60 ECTS, starting with a summer school in August and concluding in July of the following academic year. This intensive course provides you with basic and multidisciplinary knowledge of social security from a national, international and European perspective. Successful completion ensures 20 ECTS towards the Master of European Social Security Programme as well as a postgraduate diploma. The summer school is also available as a standalone programme.

During the Master of European Social Security, your academic skills will be developed and challenged through the experience of an internship in a social security institution or organisation. Through our partnerships you can take on an internship position in proportion to your own level of experience and field of expertise, focusing either on practice or research. 

The in-person classes and workshops, held in Leuven (Belgium), are condensed together into a limited number of weeks. The remaining coursework is completed via distance learning, making use of a digital learning platform. The platform connects you to Europe's best lecturers, who guide you through their specially designed course materials remotely. This way, you can combine the programme with your job or follow it from abroad.

Strengths

• The unique teaching format offers you the best of both worlds: an authentic university experience at one of Europe's foremost universities and the flexibility to complete the majority of the programme from home.
• Throughout the programme, you will be connected to a unique international network of universities and be in contact with teaching staff and fellow participants from all over Europe.
• The multidisciplinary and multinational approach will broaden your perspective and will help you look at problems from a new angle. This alternative approach develops your ability to adapt to new situations and will be highly valuable throughout your professional career.