The Master in Advanced European and International Studies - Trilingual studies (MAEIS) provides an overarching and extensive view of the political, social, economic and cultural issues of the global world. The MAEIS is an international, interdisciplinary and itinerant programme which aims to educate the next generation of European decision-makers. Its encompassing teaching method at the crossroads of theory and practice helps the students to gain thorough academic expertise in European affairs as well as a firsthand-insight into the work as a Policy Officer at a European institution or international organisation. With its leitmotiv "Learning and living Europe", the programme follows an original approach that distinguishes it from other Master's courses in European Studies and International Relations: the trilingual studies programme is taught in English, French and German and takes place in three different study locations: Nice, Canterbury and Berlin. At the end of the programme, students can opt to do a professional internship (3 to 6 months).
The programme starts in Nice, France.
The first term encompasses introductory classes to all of the five modules (International Relations, European Integration, Economy and Globalisation, Federalism and Governance, and Professional Skills), completed by international conferences and seminars dealing with current world politics events. This term is concluded by a mid-term exam and a three-day-simulation.
The second term takes place in Canterbury, UK, in co-operation with the University of Kent.
During this term, students choose three courses among the curriculum proposed by the School of Politics and International Relations of the University, in line with their specialisation. At the end of the term, students write an essay for each of the three courses.
A one-week study trip to the European and international organisations in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg is organised during the second or third term.
During the third term in Berlin, Germany the programme aims at deepening the students' knowledge of European integration and contemporary problems in international relations, through several thematic workshops.
Our partner in Berlin, the Institut für Europäische Politik provides a dialogue with European integration experts and offers an insight into political life in Berlin. Students have the opportunity to advance in their research work, as they are free of obligations from mid-May to mid-June to work on their thesis. The programme concludes with the defence of the thesis and oral exams. With their graduation, students become part of CIFE’s worldwide Alumni network. The Master programme is credited with 60 ECTS.
Subsequently, students who have taken this option, will do an internship of three to six months. The internship can be accomplished in a European institution, an international organisation, national diplomacy, consultancies, non-governmental organisations or research institutes. At the end of the internship, students submit a substantial internship report, which is assessed by a board of examiners. Internship and internship report are credited with supplementary 30 ECTS.
International Relations
Complex interdependency, dynamic power figurations and imbalances characterise today's world politics, an arena that is influenced by diverse actors in multi-level processes. Since its establishment in the early 20th century, the academic discipline of International Relations (IR) has been shaped by different schools of thought. We will explore the major theories that draft a comprehensive or holistic explanation of international politics, in order both to identify presuppositions in public debates and to apply those theoretical tools to academic analysis.
European Integration
At the beginning of the new millennium, the European Union can look back at considerable achievements such as the completion of the monetary union. On the other hand, the EU remains confronted with greater challenges: new member states need to be fully integrated, the EU institutions must be reformed, a common identity for foreign and security politics must be reinforced, the acceptance of the EU amongst its Member States' populations needs to be strengthened.
Federalism and Governance
For the last fifteen years, federalism has known a revival as an international field of studies. Three major developments can be considered. The first is the study of the EU, not analysed any more as a process of integration but in terms of federal institutional comparative approach. The second development is multi-level governance, that can be conceived as an extension of federalism as it deals with any form of multi-tier institutional system. This cooperative/competitive approach has appeared to understand the institutional consequences of the process of globalisation in post-industrialised societies, and of the subsequent changing of nature of sovereignty in the relevant states. Eventually, federalism has become a tool of conflict resolution.
Economy and Globalisation
This course aims at giving an overview of the forces that drive world trade. International economics analyses the exchanges of goods, services and capitals between countries. It also analyses the conditions under which these exchanges take place. If the rule of free trade appears to have priority, in actuality, many countries resort to protectionism, in spite of WTO rules. Globalisation is at the heart of the concerns (or fears) of various players, such as political leaders, unions, businesses, households, civil society, etc. Are we witnessing the shifting of the world's centre in favour of South and East Asia?
Professional Skills Workshops
This module equips the participants with the professional skills and competences that will enable them to work in the context of the European and international organisations. They will take actively part in several simulation games and follow workshops on project cycle management, intercultural management, as well as on mediation and negotiation.
Candidates can submit their application dossier via online form. They should also include all the relevant documents, or send them by post or email. An academic committee meets regularly in order to review complete applications.
A limited number of scholarship funds can be awarded to particularly qualified candidates to cover some of the costs related to studies or accommodation. The application deadline is 15 June of the current year.
