European Politics in a Global Perspective

The track European Politics in a Global Perspective:

• Enables to design a study programme tailored to your needs and interests.
• Offers a research-led and policy-oriented curriculum taught by committed staff.
• Includes a placement that excellently prepares for the labour market.
• Provides you with a research-oriented profile which makes you fit for participation in a Research Master and/or a PhD track.

The Master's track European Politics in a Global Perspective is special because of its interdisciplinary and policy-oriented nature. We study integration from an historical, IR-theoretical, legal and social-economic point of view. We strongly feel that developments in Europe cannot be properly understood from a mono-disciplinary perspective and that a thoroughly integrated approach is needed to gain a proper insight in the issues under study. European Politics in a Global Perspective is interdisciplinary by nature. Moreover, we attach great importance to the practical translation of the knowledge and (oral and writing) skills acquired during the MA track. Students in the Master's track European Politics in a Global Perspective write policy notes and research papers, participate in debating sessions and simulation games, (critically) review standard works in European Politics in a Global Perspective studies and, last but not least, can do a traineeship with a European organization (public or private), either in the Netherlands or abroad. In other words, we are highly motivated to provide the students with an appropriate background in knowledge and skills to prepare them for a well-positioned entry on the labour market.

Upon graduation students hold a (60 ECTS) MA degree in International Relations with a track in European Politics in a Global Perspective from the University of Groningen. The Master programme in International Relations prepares its students for professions and research careers where knowledge of international-political developments and the ability to analyze and assess complex issues and to form grounded judgements are relevant.

Although not limiting you to a specific field, your track choice strengthens your profile in European Politics in a Global Perspective and benefits you when applying for specialized jobs in that field.

During the programme you will complete an internship: this will provide you not only with an insight into the job-market, but also further develop your professional skills as well as expand your network.

Many graduates become policy advisors for national governments, NGOs, and international organizations in international politics. An increasing number of graduates also use their analytical skills to advise international businesses, or work as lobbyists, international executives, press officers, journalists, and researchers.

Alumni of the European Politics in a Global Perspective track work at:

Government:

• Policy Officer – Ministry of Foreign Affairs (The Hague)
• Support and Training Youth and Child Care System - Regionale Inkooporganisatie Groninger Gemeenten (Groningen)
• Beleidsadviseur Economie – Gemeente Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht (Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht)
• Project Officer - BMWE-Gemeenten (Bedum, De Marne, Winsum, Eemsmond)

Business:

• HR Analyst - Shell (Den Haag)
• Sales Support – Larex Recruitment (Deventer)
  
  

European Politics in a Global Perspective research investigates the complex, multilayered structure of the European Union. The EU is studied as a unique example of regional cooperation, increasingly influenced by global developments.

European Politics in a Global Perspective research focuses on actors, institutions, policy-making and decision-making in the European context, studied in past and present. Not only the interests of institutions and actors are subject of study, but also the ideas and values on which these interests are based and which find their expression in the policy-making process.

Three central research areas can be distinguished:

1. Research into the mutual relationship between ‘founding father’ the Netherlands and the European Union. To what extent has this relationship been subject to change during the most recent decades and how should this possible change be explained?

2. Research into the EU’s internal security policies (the former ‘third pillar’ of the EU Treaty) since the Lisbon Treaty. What is the current state of affairs regarding EU cooperation in the areas of police and justice and what are the main developments in (communitarian) asylum- and migration-policies? How do the latter affect the process of policy-making and administration in the member-states?

3. Research into the relationship between the EU and two important (emerging) regions outside Europe: North Africa and South East Asia. Concerning North Africa, particular emphasis is placed on democratization movements in Tunisia, Egypt and other countries, as a direct consequence of the ‘Arab Spring’. With respect to South East Asia the focus is on EU-China relations, in particular the process of EU inter-institutional policy-making regarding the PRC.

For more information about the IR department, please visit: The Department of International Relations and International Organization