European Governance

This innovative two-year double-masters degree from University College Dublin and the Utrecht University investigates vital questions facing European countries today.



Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to answer these questions and formulate appropriate responses to the challenges they pose.



In Year 1 students study in UCD with a particular focus on Law and Governance of the EU, and European Political Economy.



In Year 2, you study in the Utrecht University in the Netherlands and complete a research internship as part of your masters thesis, which is co-supervised by both universities.



Internship with organisation that deals with European governance issues



Students graduate with two masters degrees – an MSc in European Governance from UCD and an MSc in European Governance from the Utrecht University



Specialised and detailed knowledge in EU Governance and Law; Application of knowledge and understanding and enhanced capacity for problem solving in the context of EU law and governance; Understanding of the interdisciplinary context of EU governance and law; Ability to communicate their ideas.

The MSc in European Governance is a double degree programme to be run in conjunction with the University of Utrecht School of Governance, starting in September 2016. As an interdisciplinary programme leading to two degrees, with bi-location and internships (in the Netherlands), and a co-supervised, end of programme(s) thesis, students will develop interdisciplinary skills, working in the domains of law and politics, with an enhanced capacity for problem solving.



The distinctive contribution of the UCD programme is that it brings legal insights into questions of European governance, exploring law as a framing and constraining device and looks at the EU as an actor from a global perspective paying close attention to political economy questions.

Stage 1 Core Modules

LAW41040 Law and Governance of the EU Autumn 10

POL40970 Politics of European Governance Autumn 10



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 4 of:

Students must choose 4 option modules from the following list in year 1 of the programme.

LAW40120 Foundations of Environmental Law Autumn 10

LAW40150 International Competition Law Autumn 10

LAW40780 Law of the ECHR Autumn 10

POL40050 Theories of International Relations Autumn 10

POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn 10

POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn 10

POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn 10

POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn 10

POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn 10

POL42530 Politics of International Trade and Investment Autumn 10

POL42550 Feminist Theory Autumn 10

SPOL41060 Public Administration & Policy Autumn 10

LAW41090 Climate Change Law and Policy Spring 10

LAW42170 Behavioural Laws Spring 10

POL40100 Politics of Development Spring 10

POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Spring 10

POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring 10

POL40370 International Political Economy Spring 10

POL40540 Comparative European Politics Spring 10

POL40610 EU Foreign, Security, and Defence Pol. Spring 10

POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring 10

POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring 10

POL41910 Political Violence Spring 10

POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring 10

POL42060 International Security Spring 10

POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring 10

POL42430 IR Theory: Conflict and Identity Spring 10

POL42560 AI and Large Language Models Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:

Students should choose the European Governance Dissertation in year 2 in Utrecht

POL42390 EG Thesis(Internship) Summer 30

You will need:



If English is not your native language, unless you have done your primary degree through English in an English speaking country, an English language qualification is required for all programmes. Exceptional cases will be decided on a case-by-case basis.



MSc European Governance



You will need:



This programme is intended for applicants with an upper second class honours or international equivalent in a primary degree in a relevant subject such as archaeology, development studies, economics, EU studies, geography, global studies, history, international relations, law, philosophy, political science, public policy,social science, sociology, .



Relevant professional experience may also be taken into account.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in each element) or equivalent.

Please apply directly to Utrecht University:



http://www.uu.nl/masters/en/european-governance/admission-and-application



Note application is directly via Utrecht University and not through the online application system in UCD



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

2 years full-time.

Commencing September 2025

Careers & Employability

The skill set acquired in this double degree opens up a wide-range of job opportunities in local, regional and national governments; EU institutions; other European organisations; non-profit and for-profit organisations; and consultancy firms that deal with issues of European governance.