About the IES
Introduction
The Institute’s central location in Brussels, capital of Europe, makes it a supreme workplace for students and scholars that wish to conduct research in an international and interdisciplinary setting. Benefiting from its location, the IES provides an ideal forum for conferences and workshops on European issues.
- providing advanced education, through its programmes LL.M in International and European Law, MA of European Integration and Development, Summer School on the European Decision-Making Process and E-learning modules on European Law and Institutions;
- carrying out scientific research. Research is coordinated by the IES Academic Director and conducted by PhD researchers as well as post-doctoral Senior Research Fellows that lead research clusters;
- providing scientific services in the field of European Studies, in particular by organising conferences, workshops and lecture series, and by conducting commissioned research.
Strategy
Research at the IES focuses on the EU in an international context. It explores EU institutions, policies and law within the context of globalisation and international law and politics. Research projects analyse the role of the EU as a global actor and the interaction between the internal and external dimensions of EU policies. They also address the inter-relationship between the EU and international organisations. To this end, the Institute aims at developing an interdisciplinary approach, involving legal, economic, social and political expertise. It focuses on forward-looking research that produces policy-relevant results of interest to political decision-makers and the academic community.For more information, see our Strategic Plan 2006-2010 or the detailed research strategy.
Major Research Themes
- Environment and sustainable development
- Migration and diversity
- European foreign and security policy
- Information society
- The EU and China
These clusters are nurtured by means of launching own research projects (principally at PhD level) as well as raising funds from external sponsors. More complete information on current research projects can be found [here].
Advanced Master Programmes
The LL.M. in International and European Law (also known as the Programme on International Legal Cooperation or 'PILC') has been a successful LL.M. programme at the VUB for over 35 years. The Institute for European Studies organises it through the Faculty of Law. PILC is geared towards Law graduates from all over the world, and the programme annually attracts applicants from the five continents. Its method of interactive training and teaching for a selective student body (max. 40 students admitted) is unique and guarantees a high quality output. Teaching staff consists of academics of Flemish and foreign universities and of leading “practicioners” from renowned law firms and European institutions. Programme and registration information can be found [here].
The Master of European Integration and Development (in short 'Euromaster') is an advanced programme in the
study of European integration process, taught entirely in English. The
Euromaster provides an in depth analysis of the European integration
process for advanced students and practitioners. It is organised by the
Faculty of Economics, Politics and Sociology and the Institute for
European Studies in an interdisciplinary programme geared towards an
international student body. The Euromaster is designed to provide
graduate students of different backgrounds with an expert knowledge of
European legislation, institutions, policies and the economic
integration process. The programme combines academic excellence with
practical experience an element that is reflected in its teaching
staff, which is a balanced mix of full-time academics and practitioners
in EU policy-making. The programe counts for 60 ECTS, with each course
amounting to 6 ECTS. The master thesis covers 18 ECTS. Programme and registration information can be found [here].
E-learning
Since 2006, the Institute offers introductory courses on the European Institutions and on European Law through its advanced E-learning platform. Based on content developed by our research team, students can learn about all aspects of the EU wherever they are and whenever they want. [More info]
Summer School
Events
Regularly, the IES organises lecture series and conferences on topical and timely issues regarding the European Union. Recently, lecture series have addressed Globalisation, the Constitutional Treaty, European Security, Multiculturalism and Sustainable Development, while conferences were held on topics such as EU environmental issues and the WTO, the EU and Africa, and the EU within the UN. For an overview of previous events, [click here].
Consultancy
As think-tank and research facility, the IES prepares policy studies, provides legal and political consultancy and offers expert advise to both governmental and non-governmental decision-makers. Governments as well as regional international organisations benefit from its political and legal expertise. For more info contact
Publications
The Institute’s scientific publications include a book series and a working paper series.
The IES Working Papers as well as the bimonthly Newsletter are published both as paper copies and electronically.
[Click here] if you want to look at our publications.
