Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 7,771 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no strict application deadline | for the most recent – and only official – information on application deadlines, please check the KU Leuven webpage
** for non-EEA; EUR 1157 for EEA | for the most recent – and only official – information on tuition fees, please check the KU Leuven webpage
Key Summary
Introduction
About the programme
This program invites ambitious and talented students from all over the world and various disciplinary backgrounds to study present and past Europe and analyse Europe's role in a global context. Our research-driven education enables you to anticipate and find solutions for complex global challenges that transcend national and disciplinary boundaries. Interaction with staff members from various disciplines and faculties (Social Sciences, Arts, Law, Economics, ...) exposes you to a wide range of theoretical approaches and allows you to acquire crucial methodological skills.
All courses are taught in English and complemented by many guest lectures delivered by internationally renowned scholars and high-ranked European diplomats and officials. Our students also benefit from their interactions within a highly international group of nearly 40 nationalities.
Extracurricular activities
The MAES programme offers excursions to the European and transatlantic institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, as well as to the World War I battle fields around the historical city of Ypres (Flanders Fields). Moreover, we organize internship and job information sessions. During these sessions, our students meet alumni who work for European institutions, non-governmental organisations, lobby groups and private companies. The MAES annually runs a poster conference and a student conference during which students receive feedback from professors and peers on their ongoing master thesis research.
This master programme is linked to the Jean Monet network of European Transoceanic Encounters and Exchanges (ETEE). It aims to enhance the understanding and teaching about Europe’s role in today’s world.
Curriculum
In the MAES programme you will write a master's thesis and follow the courses from the truncus communis. You will also choose one of three modules. Within the selected module, you will enroll in three thematic courses. Additionally, you will choose one or two regional electives.
All courses are taught during the day and for most courses your attendance is required.
Ideal Students
MAES is a demanding and specialised initial master's programme. It is advisable to apply only if, in your previous studies, you obtained at least 'cum laude' ('honours' / 'with distinction' / 'onderscheiding').
- You are capable of using and discussing scholarly ideas and literature in English;
- You have good analytical skills and are open to interdisciplinary thinking;
- You have a general knowledge of world history, global politics, European history, politics, society and culture and of European integration;
- You possess basic methodological skills for conducting research in the humanities and are familiar with ICT tools. You are, furthermore, capable of working individually on a research topic and organising work independently;
- You have a good knowledge of:
- The history, politics, society and culture of Europe or certain European countries (especially students who intend to follow the modules ‘European History, Integration and Political Order’, ‘European Diversity and Cultural Policy’ and ‘Social Europe and the European Welfare States’)
- The history, institutional and legal framework and policies of the EU, as well as of European integration theories (especially students who intend to follow the modules ‘European History, Integration and Political Order’, ‘European Governance’ and ‘European External Relations’)
- World history and global politics and the history, politics, economics, society and culture of at least one non-European region (especially students who intend to follow the modules ‘Globalising Europe’, ‘European and Global Political Economy’ and ‘Sustainability and Europe’)
- The history, politics, society and culture of Asia or certain Asian countries (especially students who intend to follow the modules ‘Europe and Asia’)
- The history, politics, society and culture of Central and Eastern Europe and the Southern European Neighbourhoods (especially for students who intend to follow the modules ‘Europe and its Eastern Neighbourhoods’ and ‘Europe and its Southern Neighbourhoods’).
- The history, politics, society and culture of Europe or certain European countries (especially students who intend to follow the modules ‘European History, Integration and Political Order’, ‘European Diversity and Cultural Policy’ and ‘Social Europe and the European Welfare States’)
- The history, institutional and legal framework and policies of the EU, as well as of European integration theories (especially students who intend to follow the modules ‘European History, Integration and Political Order’, ‘European Governance’ and ‘European External Relations’)
- World history and global politics and the history, politics, economics, society and culture of at least one non-European region (especially students who intend to follow the modules ‘Globalising Europe’, ‘European and Global Political Economy’ and ‘Sustainability and Europe’)
- The history, politics, society and culture of Asia or certain Asian countries (especially students who intend to follow the modules ‘Europe and Asia’)
- The history, politics, society and culture of Central and Eastern Europe and the Southern European Neighbourhoods (especially for students who intend to follow the modules ‘Europe and its Eastern Neighbourhoods’ and ‘Europe and its Southern Neighbourhoods’).
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English and also available in Dutch
Program Outcome
- Credits: 60 ECTS
- Degree Type: Master
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their own research. In our FabLab, students can use a number of high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programmes as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student centre is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Faculty
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Master of European Studies (MAES) are equipped for a variety of career paths. The programme not only provides students with an in-depth understanding of European politics, law, history and culture but also trains them in different research methodologies and teaches them how to communicate their findings to various audiences. Hence, graduates are equipped for various professional careers.
- Traineeships in the EU Institutions
- Jobs at the EU institutions and in their environment
- Opportunities in academia
- Conditions for an internship in Belgium during your studies
- Conditions for an internship outside of Belgium during your studies
- Conditions for an internship after graduation