This major is built along two defining lines – actors and issues. On the one hand, students gain knowledge on pressing challenges related to trade, investment, energy, economic governance, financial regulation, security, terrorism, human rights, migration, health, development cooperation and humanitarian aid, all of which the EU is involved in.
On the other hand, students also gain expertise on EU relations with global and emerging actors in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and other regional and inter-regional arrangements in Europe and beyond. They further deepen their knowledge of the broader historical context by taking a course in the European History and Civilization Major.
The second semester study trip is an integral part of the academic programme, participation is obligatory and students are expected to attend all related conferences and activities. It counts for 2 ECTS.
Students are obligated to select a total of seven Specialist Courses. The following rules apply:
BLOCKMANS, S. – The Legal Dimension of EU External Relations (20h, 4 ECTS)
SCHLEGELMILCH, R. – EU Trade Policy from Rules based Trade to Trade Wars (20h, 4 ECTS)
SMITH, K. E. – The International Relations of the EU (20h, 4 ECTS)
CABESTAN, J.-P. – China and the World (20h, 4 ECTS)
CARBONE, M. – The European Union, the Global South and the Politics of International Development (20h, 4 ECTS)
FRÖHLICH, S. – After Liberal Hegemony - Transatlantic Relations at a Crossroadf (20h, 4 ECTS)
LAVENEX, S. ; TRAUNER, F. – EU Asylum and Migration Policy in Global Context (20h, 4 ECTS)
MAYR-HARTING, T. – The European Union and Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy (20h, 4 ECTS)
NASSEF, Y. – International Climate Governance: Foresight and Transformative Change (20h, 4 ECTS)
SASNAL, P. – Human Rights in International Politics (20h, 4 ECTS)
TARDY, T. – NATO and European Defense Policy (20h, 4 ECTS)
WINAND, P. – Comparative Regionalism (20h, 4 ECTS)
YORK, J. – Politics in the Digital Age: Power, Platforms, and Participation (20h, 4 ECTS)
Students are automatically registered in the major's research colloquium.
WINAND, P. & STEINGASS, S. – The EU and the World Research Colloquium
Students must select two compact seminars.
DIMIER, V. – L'Etat post-colonial en Afrique à l'épreuve des politiques européennes de développement (8h, 0 ECTS)
GARDINI, G. L. – The International Relations of Latin America and its Interaction with the EU (10h, 0 ECTS)
ISLAM, S. – The EU and the Indo-Pacific (10h, 0 ECTS)
WATKINSON, P. – The Central Role of International Cooperation in Strengthening Climate Action (10h, 0 ECTS)
RENDA, A. – Regulation of Emerging Technologies (8h)
Participation in the simulation games is optional.
The Cooperation with External Partners modules are optional. There is no limit on the total number of these modules that can be taken by the students.
The academic programme above applies to the 2026-2027 academic year and reflects the version approved by the Academic Council as of 18 June 2026.
The Skills and Capacity Building offer complements the academic programme with on-site, made-to-measure support and guidance in helping to shape the students’ professional paths.
In addition to benefitting from a bilingual study programme, students can take advantage of language courses on offer implemented by the Languages and Intercultural Dialogue Office. The following languages are on offer: English, French, Italian, German, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. The courses are tailored to the individual students' needs, and are also focused on transversal skills required by employers.
