The MA in European Integration course is directed towards students with a very good research project who can undertake independent research under supervision. The degree is made up of 90 ECTS credits, of which 10 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-units and 80 ECTS credits to the dissertation. The MA in European Integration is a degree programme that allows individuals with direct experience of working in EU affairs or highly specialised, motivated graduates to undertake targeted research in areas relating to the EU and integration and which, through applied research, would lead to substantive work which contributes to our knowledge of EU affairs as well as contributing to the good of society. It need not be added that the range of research topics will also depend on the availability of Institute staff in providing the necessary supervision. In this way, the MA by Research breaks from the Institute’s traditional approach of seeking to create informed generalists and aims to take candidates with a substantial background in EU affairs and produce highly specialised graduates with applied knowledge in their chosen area of research.

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Second Class Honours or Category II in European Studies. (2) The Board may allow applicants possessing a degree other than that specified in paragraph (1) to join the Course, provided that the degree classification is not less than Second Class Honours or Category II, and subject to the submission of a letter of motivation and an interview to establish whether such applicants have sufficient proficiency and background to enable them to follow the Course with profit. In such instances, the Board may recommend that applicants follow a preparatory programme as detailed below. (3) All applicants shall be required to submit with their application a detailed synopsis of their research topic. Applicants shall be interviewed by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose of evaluating the research proposal, which must satisfy the Institute’s criteria. (4) The interviewing board appointed by the Board shall be composed of at least three members. It shall be chaired by the Director or his/her delegate. Preparatory Programme Applicants admitted under paragraph (2) may be required to complete a preparatory programme, comprising not less than 30 ECTS credits and not more than 60 ECTS credits, and to obtain an overall average mark of 55% or better, prior to their registration as regular students on the Course. The Board may grant students full or partial exemption from the requirement of the preparatory programme if it is satisfied that the students possess post-first cycle qualification work experience that is relevant to Course.