The world is moving and so are we! Our successful Master's Programme has been developed into a Joint Degree Programme offered by the University of Graz, the University of Zagreb and the Autonomous University of Barcelona in cooperation with the European Institute for Public Administration and the European Academy of Bolzano.   European integration as seen from a regional and cultural perspective Is "Europe" simply Brussels, London, Paris, Rome and Berlin? Is "Europe" simply made of "Eurocrats" sitting in those capitals? No! Europe is also Graz, Aberdeen, Belgrade,  Maastricht, Nancy, Novi Sad, Sarajevo, Bolzano/Bozen and Zagreb where our friends and partners of the Master's programme live and work. European integration is not only a bureaucratic, top-down process in favour of abstract market forces applying "legalese" newspeak, but also has a much broader regional and cultural dimension which finds expression in current tendencies to strengthen regions, preserve cultural diversity against the few negative harmonising effects of the Common Market and to prevent discrimination against individuals. Moreover, enlargement of the European Union has drastically augmented and will continue to augment the degree of diversity through the enormous increase of not only states, but also of cultures, languages, minorities and regional and economic disparities.   The vision of an inclusive Europe Enlargement must not however only be seen as a tremendous challenge, but also as a unique chance to overcome continental divides and mental 'iron curtains' so as to successfully create an ever closer Union of peoples and to ensure the whole of Europe remains a zone of stability, prosperity and lasting peace. Hence, what is required and what actually will be offered by this programme is a vision of a politically, socially and culturally inclusive Europe in stark contrast to the mistaken prophecy of what Huntingdon once described a "clash of civilisations", since only the concept and practices of "multi-cultural democracy" can provide for the necessary European "Unity in Diversity."   Satisfy the need for interdisciplinary knowledge Each of these new challenges creates a vast and ever expanding need for interdisciplinary knowledge and up to date skills from civil servants, students, and other professionals engaged in various fields. In order to fulfil such a task, the multidisciplinary Master's programme will provide participants with a sound knowledge of the intricate relationship between European integration and regionalism. A strong focus upon horizontal integration through trans-regional and functional co-operation and the 'bottom-up' approach differentiate this innovative Master's programme in comparison to other European studies courses.     TARGET GROUP   The Program is tailored for ·         civil servants from local, regional or national administrations who primarily work with EU law and therefore require both theoretical and practical training in EU and regional issues; ·         lawyers, economists, social scientists and others in the employment of non-governmental organisations wishing to enhance inter-disciplinary skills and to specialise within different aspects of European integration, regionalism and diversity; ·         journalists and teachers interested in the recent developments and advanced training in the related fields; ·         graduate students wishing to acquire greater competitive personal competence beneficial for a future career in the academia or even practice-orientated professions.   STRUCTURE   Interdisciplinary The proposed curriculum is highly interdisciplinary and designed to provide in particular a firm understanding of institutions and fundamental concepts of EU and European Community law, governance, public administration reform and economics, regional and social policies, regionalism and federalism, cultural diversity and minority protection under the auspices of the process of European integration.   Module structure (click here for details) SEMESTER 1  SEMESTER 2  SEMESTER 3  Module 1   THE ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION         Graz   31.08 - 11.09 2009 Module 2 LAW OF THE EUROPEAN UNION           Luxembourg    09.11 - 20.11 2009 Module 3 Governance, Public Administration Reform and Economics       Zagreb   18.01 - 29.01 2010 Module 4 Regional Affairs: Policies, Structures and Management     Barcelona   12.04 - 23.04 2010 Module 5 Human Rights, Minorities and Diversity Management Bolzano   14.06 - 25.06 2010 Master's thesis         January 2011 *N.B. Periods might be subject to slight changes.   The Joint Master's programme consists of a taught period over two semesters which will include five individual modules. This period will commence with an introductory module in September and will be followed by four modules in November, January, April and June. Each of the five modules will last for two weeks.  Modules can also be 'collected' in the course of two academic years, thus leading to the award of the Master title once all five modules and a thesis have been completed.   DEGREE Successful participants of the Master's programme will be jointly awarded by the University of Graz, the University of Zagreb and the Autonomous University of Barcelona the academic degree of a "Master of European Studies" (M.E.S.)   Theory and practice The fifty days of the taught period will comprise 400 study units which will include study visits to institutions in Luxembourg, Zagreb, Barcelona and Bozen/Bolzano. Each module will be taught by university professors and international practitioners. Internships in an institution of local, regional or national administration of an EU Member State, an International Organisation or other bodies of regional concern may be carried out during the programme.   Research period Students will be expected during a third semester to produce an academic thesis on an appropriate topic suitable for submission. Research and preparation for this thesis may, if the student so wishes, either be undertaken at a Partner University or as part of an internship in an institution of local, regional or national administration of an EU Member State, an International Organisation or other bodies of regional concern. Students are not however obliged to undertake such additional study at a Partner University or to undertake such an internship.   e-support platform EURACworld Online facilities have been developed in order to enable participants to easily acceed to the compulsory and recommended reading materials, necessary for the preparation of exams and further deepening of knowledge in specific fields of their interests. Contact and discussion with lecturers and other students is possible also in the extra-curricular periods by means of a unique communication platform. For details please click here.   MEIR Rules of Procedure for Exams For details about the Rules of Procedure for Exams please click here.   Compliance with the European Credit Transfer System In order to facilitate recognition of the diploma and international comparability of the studies, the entire programme will consist of ninety Credit Points. For each of the modules a student can collect a minimum of 10 ECTS and a maximum of 20 ECTS. The five modules altogether account for 65 ECTS. The thesis accounts for 25 ECTS.   Participation in single modules Applications may be made to either the full study programme or to single modules of the taught elements. This option provides participants with the possibility to select one module of interest, with no commitment to the entire Joint Master's programme. Attendance of a single module will lead to the award of a certificate.   DEGREE AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS   Applicants for the programme are required to hold a university degree, preferably in law, political science or economics. The number of the participants is limited. Selection is based upon academic success and relevant work experience related to the subjects of the programme. Proficiency in English is compulsory.   APPLICATION AND SELECTION   The following documents are required when applying to the programme: ·         Application form ·        Curriculum Vitae ·        Personal Statement, describing your fields of academic and professional interest and career goals. Please also indicate the reasons for wishing to participate in the Masters programme/single module and how it will contribute to your professional development. ·        Copy of Degree Certificate ·        Essay (in English) of not more than 2,500 words written by yourself, on one of the topics that you can find on the application form.   The completed application should be sent to the European Academy by either post, fax or e-mail. Applicants will be notified by e-mail upon receipt of their application form and again once the selection process has been completed.      COSTS AND PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS    The registration fee for the overall Joint Master's programme is 7,500 EUR.   For participants of single modules, a registration fee of 1,500 EUR per module will be charged.   These fees do not include travel expenses or accommodation, which are to be covered by the participants themselves.   The European Academy is able to offer partial scholarships. This means that a part of the tuition fee of 7.500 EUR is waved and the student shall cover only the remaining part.   Applicants should apply for financial support directly to local foundations, international NGOs or other funding agencies. Upon request from your prospective sponsor, we will send all the information regarding the programme to the potential donor.