Master of Science in Political Science: European and International Governance
Ixelles, Belgium
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 5,720 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for EEA nationals | non EEA nationals : 31 March 2026
** for non EEA nationals| EEA nationals: EUR 1182 per year
Key Summary
About: The Master of Science in Political Science: European and International Governance at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is a one-year English-taught programme. It covers European studies, governance and international politics and can extend to a second-year interdisciplinary MasterAfterMaster on European integration. Based in Brussels, VUB sits near EU institutions and NATO.
Career Outcomes: You'll access career opportunities in diplomacy, national and international institutions, policy analysis, lobbying, journalism, academic research, NGOs, think tanks and corporate public affairs. The programme supports internships, conferences and networking near European institutions and embassies, helping you build practical experience and professional contacts for international governance careers.
Study Europe and the World
Taught in English, the Master is a one-year program dealing with two of the most important fields of political science: European studies/governance and international politics/relations. It will allow Belgian and international students to acquire the skills and know-how needed for kickstarting a career in diplomacy, national and international institutions, or related professional fields (such as lobbying, journalism, policy, and academic research). If students are interested in getting a higher degree of specialization, the program can be extended easily and favourably to a second-year interdisciplinary MasterAfterMaster on European integration.
The master program consists of 60 ECTS. The courses include Institutions and Governance of the EU, Economics of European Integration, International Security and Strategic Studies, World Politics, and Modern Diplomacy. There will also be a High-Level Lecture Series on European and World Politics and an elective course allowing for a deepening in either European or International Governance. The writing of a Master's thesis will be combined with a course on research design and methodology. The professors will align their conditions and requirements, so students will be able to learn a wide range of methodological and analytical skills.
The program for the next academic year consists of 3 categories (Methods, Skills and Leadership Development, and Substantive courses), in total 9 mandatory courses.
Professors from academia teach you up-to-date political science concepts and theories on European and international challenges and responses. In a module on modern diplomacy, practitioners will share their experience and insights on how to contribute to the peaceful management of international relations. Beyond this module, the program will fully capitalize from its embedment in Brussels, a city hosting NATO and EU institutions as well as the largest number of embassies and international journalists in the world.
We are a public university and thus subsidized by the government. This results in relatively low tuition fees for the bachelor’s, master's, and PhD programs. We have some scholarships available for our master’s programs.
Our program is taught in one of the world's centers of governance, at a stone's throw from the European institutions, NATO, and hundreds of embassies, corporate offices, and NGOs. This is the ideal point of departure for any student with an interest in international politics, offering the opportunity to participate in conferences off-campus, to find internships, to network, and to engage in one of the many organizations.
Are you interested in one of our English-taught programmes and want to know more about studying in Brussels at VUB? VUB organises general and programme specific online info sessions. Book your timeslot today!