The trinational master’s degree is just right for you if you

• are interested in society, politics and law in Europe,
• want to understand and explain the EU and its institutions,
• are flexible, open-minded and curious,
• enjoy other European cultures, countries and languages, and
• can see yourself working in an intercultural environment like this in the future.

The Europa Master is a trinational degree program in which you and your fellow students spend the first semester in Opole (Poland), the second semester in Mainz and the third semester in Dijon (France).

The program is supplemented by various cultural events and the EU simulation MEUM in Mainz as well as various field trips, including to EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg, the European Central Bank, or Auschwitz.

• In the first semester in Opole (Poland), the focus is on European cultures and societies. You will take modules such as “Central Europe within the European Integration Process” or “Culture and Society in Europe.” While the language of instruction is generally English, you will also complete foreign language modules in German, Polish, and French.
• In the second semester in Mainz, you will focus on the analysis of European integration, international cooperation and institutions from a political science perspective. The specialist courses are offered in English and/or German and include the modules on policy in Europe, political sociology in Europe, and research methods. There are also compulsory foreign language courses.
• In the third semester in Dijon (France), you will delve deeper into topics relating to European law and European institutions. You can choose from modules such as “European Politics in Selected Policy Fields” and “European Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.” The language of instruction is French unless stated otherwise. You will also take compulsory foreign language courses in Dijon. 
• In the fourth semester, you will write your master’s thesis and take your final examinations. You can spend this semester at one of the three partner universities by arrangement with the lecturers. You must also complete a six-week internship related to Europe.

After successfully completing your studies, you will receive a degree in each country from all three partner universities. Even after graduation, many graduates remain connected to the participating institutions and other study cohorts through the EMA-DOM alumni association.

Stays abroad

The M.A. in European Studies is an international master’s degree program in which you study abroad for up to three semesters in a row. Each study cohort begins its studies in Opole (Poland) and then goes together to Mainz in the second semester and to Dijon (France) in the third semester. In the fourth semester, you can write your master’s thesis and take the final examinations at one of the three universities.

Internships

An internship of at least six weeks with a connection to European politics or European law is a compulsory part of the program of study. 

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

At home in Europe, graduates of the master’s program have a wealth of exciting career opportunities:

• Positions in European institutions such as the EU Commission, EU Parliament and the Council of Europe
• Appealing prospects in the private sector, especially at international companies
• At international organizations such as UNESCO
• In public administration such as state ministries
• In chambers of commerce, trade unions and NGOs
• In the Federal Foreign Office and at embassies
• Journalism 
• Political consulting
• Political press work
• Educational work at political foundations

In addition, the Europa Master offers you a sound academic education that will prepare you for a career in academia and research. You have gained

• in-depth knowledge of EU institutions, decision-making processes and policy areas,
• comprehensive knowledge of European cultures and societies, especially in Eastern Europe,
• the ability to take an informed and competent position on the challenges of European integration and current European political issues (e.g. EU expansion and disintegration tendencies, problems with rule of law in EU member states, Euro-skepticism and the rise of right-wing populist parties, and European debt, financial and migration crises),
• basic knowledge of the importance and function of European law,
• excellent foreign language skills, including the ability to communicate in the languages of all three partner countries and to speak and write in the (European) lingua franca – English – fluently.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.