Description

This program is offered at ELGS Athens and ELGS Rome campuses.

In your application, you will be asked to select the campus of your preference. All ELGS academic programs will be conducted ON PREMISE unless there is a strong limitation for in situ presence. Online attendance is allowed under specific conditions.

The Program

This uniquely designed and cutting-edge three-year taught undergraduate degree program lies at the heart of the mission of the ELGS, which is to offer students an in-depth look at the governance of the European Union. The program provides students a comprehensive understanding of the world of contemporary governance, with a focus on the European Union, and a cross-disciplinary grasp of its historical, institutional, legal, economic, and political dimensions. Moreover, this program will grant students the opportunity to develop critical skills and valuable professional experience that will prepare them for life after graduation.

This pioneering program fills a gap in education about the EU and how it is governed by providing students with a unique interdisciplinary background that will allow them to comprehend its complex reality and interrelated aspects.

The BA in European Governance is created and supported by the expansive ELGS International Faculty network of over 100 legal and governance scholars and practitioners worldwide, the ELGS’ Partner Universities across Europe and the world, and the EPLO. Importantly, students of the program will be granted access to attend EPLO events on key themes in EU law and governance and to interact with renowned EU leaders and decision-makers. Students graduate with a clear understanding of the most up-to-date scholarly research in the field of EU Governance, as well as the practical applications of the theoretical knowledge, and a solid professional network to support them in their career after the ELGS.

To whom it is addressed

This degree is ideal for students that:

  • seek positions in EU institutions and bodies,
  • aim to be national public administrators that work on an EU and international level
  • aim to pursue a career in the areas of public policy, public affairs, civil society organizations, and related sectors
  • are interested in further studies and specialization in governance, public policy, politics, and international relations

Program Benefits

This program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and tools to make sense of the world of public policy and management, as well as politics so that they can critically analyze situations and problems, and use this to improve practice. This course is designed to blend practitioner and academic perspectives on governance, and the wide range of modules draws on examples from around the world. It features international curricula focusing on key public sector developments in the UK, EU, USA and other countries and is informed by world-leading research, reflecting the expertise of staff in the fields of political science, international relations and policy analysis. It enables students to better understand the current context, framework and long-term objectives of the EU in its mission for the full integration of member states, and also enables students a great degree of flexibility, mobility and personalization of their studies. Through the many partnerships of the ELGS, or the Master 1,2 path of the ELGS, students can further specialize in any of the specific subject areas of the program.

With the addition of elective modules within our curricula, students will gain a deeper understanding of the factors and contexts that determine a diverse range of domestic and international governance practices. They will explore the key themes that drive the creation of public policies – how they are made, framed, brought to life, and managed. What makes the cogs of international organizations turn? What are the motivations, ambitions and factors that are considered and acted upon to shape the world as we know it? From patterns of global trade and finance to state restructuring and its consequences, it will give you a detailed insight into the decision-making processes that govern our lives.

Additionally, students will need to serve as interns in return for course credits, thus gaining invaluable on-the-job experience and building a professional network to support them after graduation. By the end of this program, students will be able to understand the origins of EU legal integration, its systems and framework, where the challenges lie, and where more work needs to be done.

Content

Program Content

The BA in European Governance is a three-year taught degree program, earning a total of 180 ECTS credits. Courses are led by key theorists and practitioners in their fields, and delivered through classic lectures and interactive tutorials. Some courses will also integrate other teaching methodologies where appropriate, such as seminars, site visits to various public and private offices, as well as group presentations. Students must successfully complete 18 compulsory modules and select from a list of 7 optional modules, which include skills courses and an internship.

The list of available courses is as follows. Elective modules are subsequent to adequate enrolment:

Courses

Year 1 (offered jointly to all ELGS degrees)

Semester I

  1. General Principles of Criminal Law
  2. General Principles of Civil Law
  3. Introduction to Legal Systems and Legal Reasoning
  4. History of European Integration
  5. ***Elective*** 

Semester II

  1. EU Law I: Institutions, Governance and Basic Principles Public International Law
  2. Introduction to Public Law
  3. Intro to Political Science
  4. International Law and Institutions
  5. ***Elective***

Year 2

Semester III

  1. Research Methods in Political Science: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
  2. Comparative Public Policy
  3. EU Data Law & Policies
  4. ***Elective***
  5. ***Elective***

Semester IV

  1.  International Political Economy
  2. The EU as an International Actor
  3. European Economic Governance
  4. ***Elective***
  5. ***Elective***

Year 3

Semester V

  1.  European Security in the 21st Century
  2. Policy Implementation and Policy Compliance
  3.  Governance, Interests and Policy Networks
  4. Europeanization: Potential Limits to Integration
  5. ***Elective***

Semester VI

Internship

 

Indicative Elective Modules

  1. Introduction to Economics
  2.  Intro to Decision-Making in Complex Organizations
  3. Parties and Electoral Competition
  4. Political Systems In Southern Europe
  5.  Diplomacy and International Relations
  6.  Politics and Security in the Mediterranean
  7. EU Internal Market and Competition Law and Policy
  8.  Political Geography and Geopolitics
  9. Constitutionalism and Comparative Constitutional Analysis
  10. Terrorism and Political Violence
  11. Behavioral Sciences in Law and Politics
  12. The EU Migration Policy and the Refugee Crisis
  13. Governing without Government: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
  14.  Governance and Sustainability: An Evolving Agenda
  15. Democracy and Legitimacy in the EU
  16. The Role of EU institution in European Integration
  17. Business and Human Rights

 

Requirements

Admissions Requirements and Procedures

Academic Requirements

Prospective students for the BA in European Governance who have completed their high school studies with top honors in one of the EU Member States and meet requirements to apply to university in their home country are invited to apply. Additionally, students holding an internationally recognized high school degree (ex. International Baccalaureate) that have received top honors are invited to apply.

Students having completed their high school studies at an institution based in a country outside of the EU that have participated in a program that is not recognized internationally, are also invited to apply, but they may be requested to submit additional documents upon the decision of the Faculty Board. Due to the international nature of the program and the student body, grading equivalencies will be determined by the Faculty Board.

Language Requirements

All courses of the program will be taught in the English language, with the exception of specialized optional modules. As a result, students originating from non-English speaking countries must evidence their level of English language skills in accordance with the following:

  • TOEFL Internet based, 83
  • IELTS, 6.0
  • Duolingo, 90
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency, C
  • Other internationally recognized tests with equivalent marks may be accepted, upon decision of the Faculty Board

Students intending to study at a partner institution as part of their studies, or to undertake an internship in a language other than English will be asked to clearly demonstrate their ability to attend courses and work in the relevant language.

Application

Application

Students from all over the world are admitted following a rigorous application process which consists of two phases. Students must first submit their application and once they have done so, candidates considered for admission will be invited to an interview.

To apply for a program, students must first review the application form and its requirements to ensure the collection of appropriate material. By the time they have gathered all documentation, they should proceed with payment of the one-time application fee either at the relevant online portal or via a bank transfer. Students should always add their surname, initial letter of their first name and Degree title in the deposit description. They can then proceed with their application which can only be conducted online and submit it along with the supporting documentation, listed below. Students will be asked first to select the campus of preference. All support documents must be in electronic format and uploaded to be sent with the application, except for the reference letters, which should be emailed directly from Referees to LLB admissions at ba@elgs.eu. Students may be invited to be interviewed. Link to the application process here.

At a glance, the application must include:

  1. Completed online Application Form in English
  2. Photograph and ID (scanned and uploaded)
  3. High School Transcript (scanned and uploaded)
  4. Certificate of Proficiency of English (if non-native speaker, scanned and uploaded)
  5. High school Degree in English (scanned and uploaded)
  6. Personal Statement with Scholarship request if applicable (400-600 words)
  7. Optional: Reference Letters (To be sent directly from Referee to ba@elgs.eu)
  8. Application fee of 50€ (non-refundable)
    Deadline

    Applications for Session 2025/2026 are open for submission until 30 June 2025.

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Tuition fee

Tuition and Aid

Tuition for both EU and International students for the BA program per academic year is 9,900€.

Please be advised that there are other direct and indirect costs related to attendance, in addition to tuition fees, such as books, supplies, accommodation and living expenses which must be taken into consideration by students when applying.

Scholarships are available for a select number of students and take into consideration merit. If you are interested in receiving a scholarship, the appropriate box should be selected on the application form and a 400-600 word personal statement must be submitted, outlining the ways in which you satisfy the criteria. For more information on Scholarships please visit the relevant page under Admissions tab.

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