International Relations and Politics in the EU

At CES we have a small team of young-hearted, dedicated people ready to help you, before, during and after the programme. Read more.

Before you start...
You will have one person responsible for your programme, who will guide you through the application process. The programme coordinator will sign you up for classes. You can contact your coordinator with any question you might have.

During the programme...
During the programme, your coordinator will be available to assist you with any questions or issues that may arise.

An intensive study experience
Maastricht is located between the ‘capital of the European Union’, Brussels, Amsterdam and The Hague, centres of international law and politics. The city is renowned as the birthplace of the Maastricht Treaty, which established the European Union.

Maastricht University is an internationally renowned research university with a prestigious Law faculty, dozens of academic programmes in English and a focus on internationalism and themes of European integration.

High academic standard
CES programmes are designed for enthusiastic and intellectually curious students dedicated to expanding their academic horizons. To ensure that students do well, CES offers extensive academic advising, workshops and regular monitoring. Maastricht University uses Problem-Based Learning (PBL), a student-centred teaching approach. Small groups of students (12-15) work on academic or practical cases prepared by their professors. Faculty act as guides to students who are in charge of their own learning and are expected to be committed, active and self-motivated.

  My time with the CES was very useful for ultimately getting my position at the ICTY. It helped me to better understand the jurisdiction of the EU and the work of the International Courts.  
Aphra Lee - University of Melbourne

Make yourself marketable to your future employer by completing an international study programme. A proven track record for being culturally sensitive, independent and proactive makes you a much more valuable candidate for employment, as does having a wider worldview and a deeper understanding of international affairs and global issues. 

Acceptance to the Open Enrolment Programmes is competitive and early application is recommended. While most students participating in our open enrolment programmes are undergraduates at the junior or senior level, applications by motivated students at the sophomore and/or freshman level with a good GPA will be considered too.

You should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to apply for a CES Open Enrolment Programme. If you have a lower GPA, you can request to be considered if you can show a recommendation from a professor or academic advisor at your home university or college with specific details about your academic development so far.

Applicants must be proficient in English. Non-native speakers are required to demonstrate proof of English language proficiency.

Students with an International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma are exempted, as are EU-nationals. International students who are enrolled as fulltime students at university or college in a native-speaking country where English is the language of instruction are also exempted.

All other prospective students must present a current TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Testing System), score before they can be admitted.

Your TOEFL test score has to be at least:

• 575 points (paper-based version)
• 230 points (computer-based version)
• 90 (internet-based version)

Your IELTS test score must be at least 6.5.