Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi
Centre for European Studies

Master's Program in European Studies and the Eastern Neighbourhood of the EU

The MA aims at training highly educated specialists, able to work in the fields of foreign policy and international relations, management of EU funds, as well as in domestic policy-making.

The MA in European Studies and the Eastern Neighbourhood of the EU represents a unique and innovative programme, taught in English, which addresses a wide range of students with various backgrounds (Economics, International Relations, Politics, History, Sociology, Law, Humanities) determined to enhance and deepen their knowledge and expertise in European integration, as well as in the EU’s international affairs (with a special focus on the Eastern Neighbourhood of the EU).


OBJECTIVES

• Analysing issues of international relations and European studies (IRES) in the context of the political, economic and social changes and challenges that take place globally and, in particular, at the European level;
• Developing a thorough understanding of the theoretical approaches in the IRES field, as well as the ability to use them in the study of the political, economic and legal system of the European Union
• Understanding the operating system of the European Union, as well as the EU’s decision-making process in relation to Central and Eastern Europe, the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia;

WHO CAN APPLY

This MA programme is suitable for students specialising in International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Public Administration, as well as those interested in History, Law, Humanities, Political Geography. There are no pre-requisites for enrolling in this programme.


LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this MA, students will:

• have developed a broad and detailed knowledge of the EU’s relations with its Eastern European partners, the post-Soviet space and Russia;
• have enhanced their understanding of the EU’s international presence;
• be able to connect conceptual debates and empirical analyses of the EU’s external role, internationally and regionally.

CURRICULUM

This MA is structured over two academic years / four semesters, 120 ECTS credits, including mandatory and optional courses, in line with the most up-to-date MA programmes in European Studies.

The MA will be completed upon writing and defending a dissertation paper in English (5 ECTS). The proposed research topics will chiefly focus on the EU’s relations with Central and Eastern Europe, the Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia.


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In order to enrol in the MA in European Studies and the Eastern Neighbourhood of the EU, the applicants must possess a legally recognized BA Degree or equivalent title in any academic field, obtained upon the completion of the undergraduate level of academic education (minimum 3 years of study). Since the entire activity relating to the programme takes place in English, potential candidates should have a good command of English (at least the European level B2).

Number of places:

• 25 state-funded places (for EU citizens)
• 25 places with tuition fee (4,500 Lei/year/ EU citizens; 2,070 Euro/year/ non-EU citizens)

CAREER PERSPECTIVES

The programme will facilitate the integration of its graduates in politics or diplomacy, by providing specific career orientation, and will develop a well-trained professional body of officials in the fields of international relations and European affairs.

The career opportunities target a wide range of institutions, such as: public institutions at the national level: Presidency, Parliament, Government, ministries and other agencies; public institutions at the local level: county prefectures, county councils, local councils, local executive bodies and agencies; regional development agencies and other institutions at the regional level; EU institutions: the Commission, the Parliament, other institutions and agencies; the diplomatic service (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European External Action Service, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe etc.); education and research institutions; think-tanks and NGOs; private firms and consultancies; foreign organizations; the media.


THE CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN STUDIES

The Centre for European Studies (CES) is an interdisciplinary department within the Faculty of Law from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Romania and operates as a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in European Studies, from 2009.

CES's mission is to contribute to the development of the European dimension of education, to promote research and consultancy, information, documentation in the area of European studies and to, directly and indirectly, support the process of economic and social development in the North-East region of Romania. The main goal is to contribute to a better knowledge and understanding of the process of integration, in its different aspects, of the standards for Romania's participation in this process and of the place and role of the European Union in the world.

In this goal we develop education, training and research programmes, organise different scientific events. As major fields of interest, the institution is focused on European economy, European policies, internal market, trade, interregional and trans-border cooperation etc.

We are also interested to intensify our research concerning the issues of regional development in the subjects of interest for the convergence of regions as: disparities, cohesion, the centre-periphery model, secondary growth poles, international specialization and competitivity, tourism and regional development, foreign direct investments, migration, local and regional governance, European cohesion policy, cross-border cooperation and European Neighbourhood Policy.

CES participates to programs of national and international cooperation regarding research, education and the dissemination of information about the EU and the integration process, it develops mobility programs for students and teachers, it promotes public - private partnership and debates on European issues, cooperating with public institutions, professors and researchers from Romanian academic centres as well as from other academic centres situated in EU member states.


WHY THE CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN STUDIES?

• The CES ensures the continuation of the bachelor/ undergraduate studies through accredited MA programmes, completing the 3 + 2 university cycle (bachelor’s + master’s);
• Our programmes are in line with the academic offer advanced by other well-established universities in the European Union;
• More than 2000 MA students have graduated from the CES since its creation (autumn 2001), and our graduates have constantly been recruited by top-level public and private institutions, in Romania and abroad.
• As our academic programmes are interdisciplinary, the students have the opportunity to work with academics and researchers from various fields;
• The skills associated with our programmes complement those acquired during the undergraduate studies, improving our students’ perspectives on the labour market;
• The students can benefit from scholarships, campus lodging, internships abroad, access to documentation;
• Books, journals and online resources are provided by our own library and the European Documentation Centre;
• The CES organises conferences, seminars, discussion sessions on a continuous basis, actively involving the students into scientific research;
• Interested students can participate in the CES research projects, facilitating their access to doctoral studies;

About the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi

Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi is the oldest higher education institution in Romania. Since 1860, the university has been carrying on a tradition of excellence and innovation in the fields of education and research. With over 23.000 students and 745 academic staff, the university enjoys high prestige at national and international level and cooperates with 403 universities world-wide.

Alexandru Ioan Cuza University is a member of some of the most important university networks and associations: the Coimbra Group, EUA – European University Association, Utrecht Network, International Association of Universities, University Agency of Francophony and the Network of Francophone Universities (RUFAC). These partnerships offer us the opportunity to experience changes, to have student and teacher mobilities and joint academic, research and strategy programmes.