MA in European Integration at the University of Limerick
The MA in European Integration commenced in 1989. It is an
interdisciplinary course within which students study European politics, law,
history, economics and the theories of European Integration. The course is quite
intensive and as such, provides students with the knowledge and abilities to
work in numerous working environments. To date some graduates of the course have
completed traineeships in the European Commission, while others have
additionally worked or are continuing to work in EU related fields in
European-oriented institutions and organisations worldwide. Due to the interdisciplinarity of the
MA however, graduates are also working in sectors not related to the EU and have
found employment in national, regional and local administration, commerce,
banking, teaching, research, consultancy, journalism and teaching. Students therefore receive a good
grounding in all fields on account of the multidisciplinarity of the course.
During the first semester of the course, students study five
compulsory subjects including: Theory of economic integration, Theory and
Methodology of the Study of Integration, History of the European Idea, The
European Union as a Legal System, Politics of European Integration.
In semester two, students study 3 subjects in addition to
writing a dissertation (the topic of which is chosen by the student). The
subjects include: Economic Policies of the European Union, Legal Aspects of
Economic Integration, External Relations of the European Union (option),
Comparative Public Administration (option).
One of the highlights of the course is the annual trip to Leuven in Belgium which is very close to Brussels. This trip gives students an excellent opportunity to meet with and listen to presentations given by representatives of the EU institutions and other European organisations. The trip is organised specifically for the MA class and so all presentations and meetings are conducted in a small setting, giving students a greater opportunity to speak with and ask questions to those who kindly give up their time to attend. The interaction that the students have with the policy makers and practitioners they meet enables them to build potentially fruitful contacts for successful careers in a European environment. It is a valuable learning experience for all concerned and a week which is enjoyed by all.
Where are they now?
Wherever they work, our alumni(ae) are using skills and knowledge acquired
during our programme. Here are some examples of young men and women whose time
at Limerick in the MA European Integration programme prepared them for a
challenging career:
Mary-Lou McDonald an Irish Member of the European
Parliament
H E Sylvia Stancu-Davidoiu, Romanian Ambassador in Dublin
Olga Borissova (right) as its Director, welcomes President George W. Bush
to the American University in Bulgaria Center, in June 2007.
Stefan Hudec an international affairs journalist in Bratislava
Sabina Jausovec finishing her LLM degree in Maribor Slovenia
Programme:
Semester 1
Theory of economic integration
Theory and Methodology of the Study of Integration
History of the European Idea
The European Union as a Legal System
Politics of European Integration
Semester 2
Economic Policies of the European Union
Legal Aspects of Economic Integration
Dissertation
(option)
External Relations of the European Union (option)
(option)
Careers:
European-oriented organisations in Brussels and world-wide; national, regional
and local administration; commerce, banking, teaching, research and consultancy.
Entrance Requirements:
In order to apply for the course applicants must have a good honours degree in
an appropriate discipline (e.g. economics, European studies history, law,
politics or sociology) and/or relevant equivalent experience. Proficiency in
English.
Contact Details:
For further information please contact the
Director of the Centre for European Studies (CEUROS) and Course Director of the
MA Professor Edward Moxon-Browne.