About the IES

The Institute for European Studies is an autonomous department of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. It was created in 2001 through an initiative taken by the Flemish Government. As a Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, the IES teaches advanced Master programmes, and focuses on interdisciplinary research in European Studies, more specifically on the role of the EU in an international setting. Within this scope, the IES provides academic services to scholars, policy makers and the general public.

The Institute’s central location in Brussels, the capital of Europe, makes it an ideal workplace for both students and established scholars wishing to conduct research in an international and interdisciplinary setting. The IES provides also an ideal forum for conferences and workshops on European issues.

The mission of the IES is threefold:

1. Providing advanced education : through its LLM in International and European Law, MSc in European Integration and Development (EuroMaster), its annual Summer School on the European Decision-Making Process and its 3 e-Learning modules on European Law, Institutions and Information Sources;
2. 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;
3. Providing scientific services in the field of European Studies : organising annual conferences, regular workshops and repeated lecture series, and by conducting commissioned research.

The Institute collaborates closely with numerous universities and research institutions in Belgium, Europe and internationally. These partnerships and the continuous exchange of new ideas with practitioners and scholars allows the IES to strengthen its research goals and produce a high-level blend of conceptual and practical expertise con all major EU policies.

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 fosters an interdisciplinary approach that combines 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

While IES research principally embraces a wide range of European studies, the Institute focuses its resources on an evolving set of research cluster:

• Environment and sustainable development
• Migration and diversity
• European foreign and security policy
• Information society

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

In collaboration with the University of Vienna and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, the IES annually organises the Summer School on the European Decision-Making Process. The intensive two-week programme is specifically designed for students with a background in political science, history or law. Through lectures, seminars, study visits and simulation exercises, students get acquainted with the politics and dynamics of the various decision-making mechanisms of the EU. The summer school typically takes place one week in Brussels and one week in Vienna. [More info]

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 ies@vub.ac.be.

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.