To support students’ preparation for their studies at the College of Europe, the EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies Department offers an e-learning Introductory Course on EU-related topics that all incoming students can access from July onwards as well as an intensive French course in Bruges in late August-early September. Both courses are free of charge.

The e-learning course combines videos and reading materials and comprises several modules (in English and French) on topics such as:

 History of European Integration, EU Institutions, EU Policies, Fundamentals of EU Law, Political Science (incl. major theories of EU integration and of International Relations), Political Economy and International Political Economy, as well as Skills (essay writing, oral presentation, benefits & shortcomings of using AI and the College policy in this regard). For a few students, following this course over the summer may represent a condition for admission to the study programme.

Additionally, the Department offers to a limited number of students an intensive French language course on campus during the two weeks before the start of the academic year. Admission to this course will be based on the selection interview result as well as on a short obligatory test conducted online by the Alliance Française.