The two central building blocks of this major are the functioning of the EU governance system and EU policies. Students concentrate on EU policies of critical importance for social and economic progress in the EU, such as the internal market and competition policy, the Eurozone’s macroeconomic policies, security, energy, environment, and social policies.

They study instruments through which EU institutions structure their dialogue with outside stakeholders and learn to critically analyse how the organisation addresses complex social and economic problems such as employment, inflation, balance of payments or economic growth, as well crucial internal security questions. 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: 

• Students of the EPAP and EUW Majors need to select one course from the list of courses of the EHC Major, and one (1) course from the list of European Regional Studies courses.

Core courses

Specialist courses

• BARNARD, C. – EU Substantive Law: The four freedoms (20h, 4 ECTS)
• MARZINOTTO, B. – EU Macro-economic Policies (20h, 4 ECTS)
• ALEMANNO, A. – Lobbying and Interest representation in the European Union (20h, 4 ECTS)
• BACHTLER, J. – EU Structural and Investment Policies (20h, 4 ECTS)
• CARBONE, M. – EU Development Policy and International Partnerships (20h, 4 ECTS)
• EGENHOFER, C. – EU Energy and Climate Policies (20h, 4 ECTS)
• GÓRA, M. – The Political Economy of Welfare States in Europe (20h, 4 ECTS)
• LIANOS, I. – EU Competition Policy (20h, 4 ECTS)
• ŁAZOWSKI, A. – EU Enlargement Policy - Past and Present (20h, 4 ECTS)
• MARINIELLO, M. – Digital Economy (20h, 4 ECTS)
• LAVENEX, S. ; TRAUNER, F. – EU Asylum and Migration Policy in Global Context (20h, 4 ECTS)

Master’s thesis colloquium

Students are automatically registered in the major's research colloquium.

• BOBROWICZ, B. & STEINGASS, S. – EU Public Affairs and Policies Research Colloquium

Compact seminars

Students must select two compact seminars.

• DUMONT, B. ; HOLMES, P. – La règlementation des marchés en ligne (10h, 0 ECTS)
• LAZZARO, E. – Cultural and Creative Industries and Policies in Europe and Beyond: Challenges and Opportunities (10h, 0 ECTS)
• LUFF, D. ; BAKER, P. – Political Economy of International Trade - Tools and Practices (8h, 0 ECTS)
• SZWARC, K. – Climate Finance (10h, 0 ECTS)

Simulation games

Participation in the simulation games is optional.

• BUTTERWICK-PAWLIKOWSKI, R. – The Congress of Vienna 1814-15 (8h, 0 ECTS)
• GUIBOURGÉ-CZETWERTYŃSKI, A. – EU Energy Policy-Making in Practice (8h, 0 ECTS)

Cooperation with external partners

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.

• MIKOS-SKUZA, E. – Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (17h, 0 ECTS)
• Workshops in history organized in cooperation with the Max Weber programme of the European University Institute (TBC, 0 ECTS) 

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.

Professional development

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.

Language courses

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.