MATA-IRD students starting at the College of Europe

Students of the MATA programme who choose the “EU International Relations and Diplomacy” (MATA-IRD) study track during their first year of studies at the College of Europe in Bruges will be specialising on the external relations and diplomacy of the European Union for 1 year. The EU has in many fields – such as trade, development cooperation or climate change, and increasingly also in security-related areas – become an important global actor. Countries, international organisations, large enterprises and many non-governmental organisations must deal with the EU in a variety of ways. These studies will be complemented by coursework on international affairs at The Fletcher School.

Semester 1 (20 ECTS)

MATA-IRD students follow 6 courses during the first semester. All MATA (Y1) students at the College of Europe Bruges and Natolin campuses and The Fletcher School take the course, “US-EU Relations in the 21^st Century: Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs” (5 ECTS). This course is based at The Fletcher School. 

MATA-IRD students follow an intensive, 15-hour refresher course on “EU Institutions and Decision-Making” (1 ECTS). Subsequently, they will follow the compulsory course “EU Foreign and Security Policy” (3.5 ECTS) to familiarise students with the European Union as a global actor and “International and EU Negotiation Analysis” (3.5) for training in negotiation skills. Students choose 2 additional compulsory courses (7 ECTS) from the list below. 

Students may follow any of the voluntary, non-assessed compact seminars (8h each) offered by the IRD Department during this semester (see below). 

During this semester, students will also start preparing their thesis proposal on transatlantic affairs as well as their internship. The primary thesis supervisor will be allocated by the IRD programme. A special seminar “Research Design in EU External Action Studies”, dealing with research design and methodology as well as with theoretical approaches to EU external relations, will be offered to all students (no ECTS). 

MATA compulsory courses:

IRD compulsory courses:

Elective courses:

In addition, students choose 2 of the following courses: 

Voluntary seminar in research design (no ECTS)

Students may follow any of the voluntary, non-assessed compact seminars (8h each) offered by the IRD Department during this semester (see below). 

During this semester, students will also start preparing their thesis proposal on transatlantic affairs as well as their internship. The thesis will be co-supervised by one professor from each institution.

Semester 2 (26 ECTS)

In their second semester at the College of Europe, MATA-IRD students follow 6 courses.

All MATA (Y1) students take the course, “US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Security and Trade in Practice” (5 ECTS).

MATA-IRD students apply their knowledge and negotiation skills during an intensive 1-week simulation exercise (3 ECTS) on EU crisis management. 

In addition, MATA-IRD students select 4 optional courses (18 ECTS), preferably spread across at least 2 different clusters, 

Students also may follow any of the voluntary, non-assessed compact seminars (8h) offered by the IRD Department. These seminars may be offered either in the first or second semester, depending on the professors’ availability. 

Students in the MATA programme will also participate in MATA study trip to Brussels and the IRD the study trip to Geneva, the European hub of multilateral diplomacy. 

Students will continue to work on their thesis in transatlantic affairs and prepare their internship. At the end of their first year, students submit their thesis proposal.

MATA compulsory courses:

IRD compulsory simulation game

Elective courses:

Students choose to follow any 4 optional courses offered by the Department (4.5 ECTS and 25h each). They are strongly encouraged to take these courses from at least 2 different thematic clusters.

Security, Justice and Values

Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development                                                          

Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy 

Specific Professional Skills 

Students will continue to work on their thesis in transatlantic affairs and prepare their internship. They may follow any of the voluntary, non-assessed compact seminars (8h) offered by the IRD Department. These seminars may be offered either in the first or second semester, depending on the professors’ availability. 

Compact seminars

Option 1:

Semester 3 (24 ECTS)

At The Fletcher School, MATA-IRD students will select 4 courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each) from any of the 3 divisions: International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB). They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of these 4 courses by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University.

If a student has not already made arrangements with a member of the Fletcher faculty to be their second thesis supervisor, one will be assigned during the third semester. During this semester, students will continue to work on their thesis, with 1 mandatory exchange with their primary thesis supervisor at the College of Europe.

Semester 4 (50 ECTS)

Students will carry out a high-level internship (25 ECTS) related to transatlantic affairs of ideally 4 months, but at least 3 months. Students who start the MATA programme at the College of Europe are encouraged to do their internship in the United States.

In late March, MATA students will hand in their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs and the thesis defense will be in April. 

Option 2:

Semester 3 (25 ECTS)

Students will carry out a high-level internship (25 ECTS) related to transatlantic affairs of ideally 4 months, but at least 3 months. Students who start the MATA programme at the College of Europe are encouraged to do their internship in the United States.

If a student has not already made arrangements with a member of the Fletcher faculty to be their second thesis supervisor, one will be assigned during the third semester. During this semester, students will continue to work on their thesis, with 1 mandatory exchange with their primary thesis supervisor at the College of Europe.

Semester 4 (49 ECTS)

At The Fletcher School, MATA-IRD students will select 4 courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each) from any of the 3 divisions: International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB). They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of these 4 courses by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University.

In late March, MATA students will hand in their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs and the thesis defense will be in April. 

Option 3:

Semester 3 (25 ECTS)

At The Fletcher School, MATA-IRD students will select 4 courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each) from any of the 3 divisions: International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB). They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of these 4 courses by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University. In addition, MATA students must take a half-credit course (0.5 ECTS).

If a student has not already made arrangements with a member of the Fletcher faculty to be their second thesis supervisor, one will be assigned during the third semester. During this semester, students will continue to work on their thesis, with 1 mandatory exchange with their primary thesis supervisor at the College of Europe.

Semester 4 (49 ECTS)

At The Fletcher School, MATA-IRD students will select 4 courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each) from any of the 3 divisions: International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB). They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of these 4 courses by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University. In addition, MATA students must take a half-credit course (0.5 ECTS).

In late March, MATA students will hand in their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs and the thesis defense will be in April. 

MATA-IRD students starting at The Fletcher School

During their first year of studies at The Fletcher School, MATA-IRD students will focus to a larger extent on international relations and slightly less on European affairs than those students who begin their studies at the College of Europe. 

During the 2 semesters at The Fletcher School, students choose at least 1 course from each of the 3 divisions (‘breadth requirement’): International Law and Organizations (ILO); Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP); and Economics and International Business (EIB).

Semester 1 (23 ECTS)

At the Fletcher School, MATA-IRD students will follow 4 courses during the first semester. 

All MATA (Y1) students at the College of Europe Bruges and Natolin campuses and The Fletcher School take the course, “US-EU Relations in the 21^st Century: Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs” (5 ECTS). This course is based at The Fletcher School. 

Additionally, they choose 3 courses offered at The Fletcher School (18 ECTS). They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of them by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University.

During this semester, students will also start preparing their thesis proposal on transatlantic affairs and their internship with a primary thesis supervisor assigned by The Fletcher School. 

MATA compulsory course

Elective courses:

Students select 3 other courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each), taking into account the ‘breadth requirement’.

Semester 2 (29 ECTS)

At The Fletcher School, MATA-IRD students follow 5 courses during the second semester. They will continue to follow the joint course “US-EU Relations in the 21^st Century: Security and Trade in Practice” (5 ECTS), which is an integral component of all study tracks within the MATA programme and brings together all MATA students from both institutions. In the second semester, this course is focused on practical exercises.  

Additionally, they choose 4 courses offered at The Fletcher School. They may also cross-register and substitute 1 of them by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University.

Students will continue to work on their thesis in transatlantic affairs and prepare their internship. At the end of their first year, students submit their thesis proposal.

MATA Compulsory course:

Elective courses:

Students choose to follow 4 other courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each), taking into account the ‘breadth requirement’.

Option 1:

Semester 3 (25 ECTS)

Students will carry out a high-level internship (25 ECTS) related to transatlantic affairs of ideally 4 months, but at least 3 months. Students who start the MATA programme at The Fletcher School are encouraged to do their internship in Europe.

The student’s second thesis supervisor will be assigned during the third semester. The student must take a course during semester 4 with their second thesis supervisor.

Semester 4 (43 ECTS)

At the College of Europe, MATA-IRD students will follow 4 optional courses (25h, 4.5 ECTS each) offered by the EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies Department during the fourth semester. 

Students may participate on a voluntary basis in the 1-week “Simulation Game: EU International Crisis Response” simulation game (A. RIBO LABASTIDA & Q. WEILER, no ECTS, 1 week).

Students may follow any of the voluntary, non-assessed compact seminars (8h each) offered by the IRD Department. These seminars may be offered either in the first or second semester, depending on the professors’ availability. 

In addition to the IRD study trip to Geneva, all MATA students at the College of Europe participate in the MATA study trip to Brussels

In late March, students submit their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs with a defence in April. 

Elective courses (select 4 across at least 2 different clusters):

Security, Justice and Values

Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development

Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy 

Specific Professional Skills 

Students will continue to work on their thesis in transatlantic affairs and prepare their internship. They may follow any of the voluntary, non-assessed compact seminars (8h) offered by the IRD Department. These seminars may be offered either in the first or second semester, depending on the professors’ availability. 

Compact seminars

Option 2:

Semester 3 (22 ECTS)

MATA-IRD students follow 7 courses during the third semester. 

The student’s second thesis supervisor will be assigned during the third semester. The student must take a course during semester 4 with their second thesis supervisor. Students will have 1 mandatory exchange with their primary thesis supervisor at the Fletcher school.

A special seminar “Research Design in EU External Action Studies”, dealing with research design and methodology as well as with theoretical approaches to EU external relations, will be offered to all students (no ECTS). 

IRD compulsory courses:

Voluntary seminar in research design (no ECTS)

Students may follow any of the voluntary, non-assessed compact seminars (8h each) offered by the IRD Department during this semester (see below). 

Semester 4 (46 ECTS)

MATA-IRD students have 5 courses during their fourth semester. They must follow the “Simulation Game: EU International Crisis Response” simulation game (A. RIBO LABASTIDA & Q. WEILER, 3 ECTS, 1 week). 

In addition, they will follow 4 optional courses (25h, 4.5 ECTS each) offered by the EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies Department during the fourth semester.

Students may follow any of the voluntary, non-assessed compact seminars (8h each) offered by the IRD Department. These seminars may be offered either in the first or second semester, depending on the professors’ availability. 

MATA-IRD students will also participate in the MATA study trip to Brussels and the IRD the study trip to Geneva, the European hub of multilateral diplomacy. 

In late March, students submit their Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) on a topic of transatlantic affairs with a defence in April. 

IRD compulsory simulation game

Elective courses:

Students choose to follow any 4 optional courses offered by the Department (4.5 ECTS and 25h each). They are strongly encouraged to take these courses from at least 2 different thematic clusters.

Security, Justice and Values

Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development

Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy 

Specific Professional Skills 

Students may follow any of the voluntary, non-assessed compact seminars (8h) offered by the IRD Department. These seminars may be offered either in the first or second semester, depending on the professors’ availability. 

Compact seminars