Study Europe – live Europe!

The European Master’s degree not only offers a specialization in culture and society(Opole), European politics and integration (Mainz) and European law (Dijon), but also enables the maximum of 30 students in a year to gain intensive “European” experience by studying together in three different European countries.

In the first introductory module, you will deal with the history of central political institutions as well as social movements in Europe. You will also receive an introduction to political communication and political psychology.

In the second module, you can choose between two focal points: You can either concentrate on the European integration process – with a particular focus on the Central European states – or you can concentrate on the EU’s eastward enlargement and the human rights situation in Europe.

The third module consists of two language courses. You choose two of the three languages of the trinational Master’s program – Polish, French and German. If you already have a very good command of two of the languages, then choose another European language.

As part of Module 4, you will attend courses on the political system of the EU, current European challenges and political philosophy in Europe.

In the fifth module, you will become active yourself: the module consists of a project seminar, in which you will prepare your own project outline on current challenges facing the EU, and a methods seminar. You will also take part in a simulation of EU decision-making procedures lasting several days. In the simulation, current legislative proposals on topics such as climate neutrality and migration policy are discussed. Other young people from Europe and around the world will come to Mainz for the simulation and there will be plenty of time for discussion and exchange. The simulation is prepared by a seminar in which you will learn about the institutions and decision-making procedures of the EU.

During the semester in Mainz, you will also take two language courses (e.g. French and Polish) and thus continue your language training from the first semester.

This module introduces you to European law and the European institutions and also focuses on the European financial order and budgetary policy.

You can choose between two modules (8a and 8b) and focus either on European fundamental rights and freedoms or on two other policy areas – European environmental policy and economic policy. In both cases, you will also attend a course that complements your methodological training.

You will also complete your two language courses in Dijon.

In the final semester, you will complete an internship of at least six weeks with a European focus, write your Master’s thesis and take the final examination. This semester is usually supervised by the home university.

April 1 – May 15 of each year

Apply via the applicant portal (tab: “Application/Registration”).

1. application for admission to the trinational M. A. in European Studies (jogustine)

2. bachelor’s degree in social sciences, law, economics, media or communication sciences, history, philosophy or cultural studies (each with a minimum of 65 ECTS in political science or law) or an equivalent degree (officially certified copy);

  • In addition to the certified copy, an English translation is required. (In principle, certificates must be translated by an official body, such as the issuing institution or a sworn translator or interpreter. If, for example, you have obtained a certificate at your home university, this can be translated at your home university or issued in several languages. Translations made by private individuals or by yourself are not sufficient. You should keep the original translation with your own documents – Mainz University requires an officially certified copy).
  • If you have not yet submitted your Bachelor’s degree certificate by the deadline, but can provide proof of at least 135 credit points, please submit a certificate (transcript of records, in English) of all study and examination achievements to date, including the resulting average grade. This certificate must be issued by the relevant university (original or officially certified copy). The average grade and the total number of credit points earned to date must be stated by the relevant university. If you are provisionally admitted on this basis, you must be able to provide proof of 180 credit points by October 1 in order to successfully enroll in Opole and thus be able to begin the European Master’s program. If this proof is not provided, admission will be revoked.
  • Applicants with a foreign university degree can only apply if they have already received the degree certificate from their foreign higher education institution! (Proof of at least 135 cr is not sufficient in this case.) In order to be eligible for admission to a master’s degree program in Mainz, you must first have your foreign degree recognized! Recognition is always carried out by the higher education institution at which you wish to study. As the recognition process can be time-consuming and lengthy, a proposal for recognition of a foreign university degree should be submitted very early (approx. 6 weeks before the application deadline). The letter of recognition must be available for the application! For more information on the procedure for “Recognition of foreign qualifications” and to download the form for applying for recognition of your degree, please click on the following link:

3. proof of English language proficiency at least at level B2 (by means of a corresponding or equivalent certificate, by proof of at least four years of schooling completed with at least “sufficient”, by certification of completion of a “Test of English as a Foreign Language” (TOEFL) with a score of at least 213 (computer-based test, CBT), 79 (internet-based test, IBT) or 550 (paper-based test, PBT) or an IELTS with a score of at least 5.5);

4. proof of knowledge of French at least at level B1 (by means of a corresponding or equivalent certificate or by proof of at least three years of schooling completed with at least “sufficient”).
  • You will receive notification of the result of your application by post by mid-June.
  • If you receive a place and accept it, complete the formal steps of the “application” as soon as possible at the University of Opole, where the first semester will be studied, and at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon. It is guaranteed that all students who are admitted to the degree program at one of the partner universities will also be admitted to the partner locations, provided they complete the application formalities properly. You will receive the necessary instructions, forms and assistance from us in good time for the “applications” and enrolment at the partner universities.
  • The first semester in Opole begins in mid-September – your accommodation in a hall of residence there is guaranteed. The European Master’s study program begins in Opole with introductory “integration days” for your comprehensive orientation.

With the admission documents from Johannes Gutenberg University, you will receive an information package from us with assistance for the further administrative steps through the degree program. You can also contact a member of staff at the Department of Political Science who is specifically responsible for this degree program at any time with any questions you may have.

The“European Master” enables students to study in three major European countries and opens up unique career opportunities for our graduates. The trinational degree program is based on the idea of the“Weimar Triangle“, which symbolizes the friendly cooperation between France, Germany and Poland and also stands for how the future in Europe can be shaped together across borders at various levels.

At the end of the European Master’s degree, you will receive the national degrees of all three partner universities. You can thus prove in France, Poland, Germany and beyond that you have recognized expertise in politics and law in Europe, that you have life experience and networks in at least three EU member states and that you are proficient in three to four European languages. This means that Europe is open to you!

With a Master’s in European Studies, you can actively shape Europe. The numerous professional fields include, for example

  • European institutions,
  • European-related international organizations,
  • European-oriented companies,
  • political journalism or political consulting,
  • political press work,
  • Educational work in a political foundation,
  • policy-related scientific collaboration or
  • science itself.

“The Europa Master is a unique opportunity to learn and, above all, to experience Europe. Over the course of 2 years, you’ll have the chance to experience a unique form of mobility, to constantly speak different languages and to discover a different culture and university system every semester. The Master’s gives you all the tools you need to enter the European job market and adapt to all the demands. But above all, the Master’s offers you a network and a family!”

“For me, Europamaster was a unique opportunity to get to know other cultures and languages. It allowed me to gain deeper insights into political and social issues and to see the European Union through the eyes of students from different European countries. My views on the European idea and our common history have developed further by attending the program.”

“Europa Master programme was one of the most valuable experiences of my life, allowing me to gain substantive knowledge in areas of my interest,  and contributing to my professional path. Another important element that I want to put forward is that, thanks to Europa Master I created  (life-long) friendships with amazing people coming from different parts of the world, which is an incredible and unique value of the programme.”

“The Europa Master program is a unique academic experience, focused on excellence and cultural exchanges. It allowed me to pursue a successful career in Brussels, right at the heart of Europe”.

In a podcast, Jonathan Spindler, a graduate of our trinational MA European Studies, talks about his experiences during his studies and everyday life – including at the Université de Bourgogne and Uniwersytet Opolski.

The podcast was produced by the Franco-German University (DFH-UFA) and is part of the series ‘Alma Mater Europa’.

A special feature of the European Master’s program: an alumni association called “Europa Master Association – Dijon Opole Mainz” (EMA-DOM) was founded in 2015 on the initiative of the first year of graduates of the Master’s program.

The association has developed into a cross-generational network of current and former European Master’s students. On the one hand, current students are supported with information, tips and activities for their studies and everyday life outside the university, and on the other hand, the international network of alumni is maintained and expanded. ‘Weimar Triangle’ at its best!

No. The degree program is permanently free of charge at all three partner universities.

In accordance with the Higher Education Act of Rhineland-Palatinate, students (only) pay a social contribution at their respective home university. If you enroll in the European Master’s program in Mainz, you will therefore pay the social contribution in Mainz (throughout). However, for the semesters in which you study in Opole or Dijon, the AStA will reimburse you for the costs of the semester ticket, which are included in the social contribution, upon application. We will ensure that you receive the application form in good time.

Students who have been admitted to the European Master’s in Mainz enrol for the first semester in Mainz and at the same time at the Uniwersytet Opolski and remain enrolled in Mainz and Opole for the entire duration of their studies (no semester fee is charged in Opole). For the 3rd semester, they also enrol at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon (enrolment in Dijon is for the entire academic year).

The language of instruction in Opole for the European Master’s program is English; however, participants who speak Polish well enough can also take the courses in Polish if they are offered. The language of instruction in Mainz is generally German; however, the teaching program is also offered in English for participants without sufficient knowledge of German. The language of instruction in Dijon is French.

As language skills at level B2 are required for admission to a degree course in a foreign language, proof of English language skills at least at level B2 and French language skills at least at level B1 must be provided at the preliminary examination for admission to the European Master’s degree course. By the beginning of the 3rd semester, at least level B2 must also be achieved in French; at the end of the 2nd semester, students will be given the opportunity to obtain a corresponding certificate in Mainz. Students who cannot provide proof of sufficient language skills before the start of the semester in Dijon must take a language test there; only those who pass this test will be admitted to the 3rd semester in Dijon.

Knowledge of Polish and German is not required for the European Master’s program.

Free intensive language courses are offered to foreign students at all study locations in the weeks before the start of the semester. Students with no knowledge of Polish are strongly recommended to take part in these language courses in Opole before the first semester.

In Opole and Dijon, Europa-Master students are guaranteed a place in a hall of residence; in Mainz, a place in a hall of residence is very likely if you apply in good time (no guarantee can be given in Mainz). The local Europa-Master staff will also actively support you with regard to accommodation.

European Master’s students from Mainz can apply for a DAAD part-time scholarship for the semester abroad in Opole and usually receive a mobility scholarship for the semester abroad in Dijon. If you complete the internship abroad, support is also possible for this.

If you have not yet received a scholarship through the Erasmus program, you can also receive Erasmus funding for your semester abroad in Dijon.