What is the College of Europe?

[hotchoc]

Hi all!

I decided to write this post profiling the College of Europe. I basically originally wrote it for myself, but I hope it can help others as well. I welcome comments.

 

College of Europe:

 

The College of Europe is a master’s level school in the social sciences and humanities, designed mostly for people who want to work in EU affairs. It offers master’s degrees in fields like law, economics, diplomacy, public policy and the humanities, all linked to EU affairs.

 

Here are some takeaways on the College of Europe:

 

Not only for aspiring civil servants:

“Long known as a training ground for future members of the European Union bureaucracy…the college is [now] also getting closer to the private sector…in terms of placing its students into jobs…Mr. Murarasu, [a] Romanian graduate, who recently took a job in the legal department of Airbus, said that he believed a majority of his classmates had found positions in the private sector. “A lot of people want to be civil servants, including myself. But these days it’s not that easy to get,” he said.” Source: New York Times

 

Looking at the list of notable alumni I realized that graduates from the college end up working different fields: academia, politics, public policy, journalism, diplomacy, public sector consulting…

 

The college is attracting some non-Europeans interested in the EU:

“The school has become significantly more global. While citizens of France, Spain and Italy still make up the largest contingents of students, the college’s most recent pool of graduates comprised 51 nationalities and included nationals of Australia and China. “They may want to join the Foreign Office or a big company with links to Europe,” said Dr. Monar of these “third country” students. “That’s why they want to understand European decision-making procedures.”” Source: New York Times

 

A mixed and non-tenured faculty:

“Most faculty members are “visiting professors,” who teach on yearlong, renewable contracts.” Source: New York Times

 

The faculty is a mix of practitioners and academics.

 

A renowned institution that opens doors in Europe :

“Like other high-level educational institutions, it opens unique academic and work opportunities, particularly if you want to work on EU-related stuff. In my particular case, the Harvard LL.M may sound better (especially when my father wants to show off) but the College definitely opened me more doors.”, Alfonso Lamadrid de Pablo writes on the Chillin'Competition blog.

 

“The College of Europe, in the medieval Belgian city of Bruges, is to the European political elite what the Harvard business school is to American corporate life. It is a hothouse where the ambitious and talented go to make contacts.” Source: The Times

 

“The [College and the ENA] recruit at the same level of study (Postgraduate), and have the same purpose: training an ‘Elite’.” Source: Slate.fr blog

 

“Lots of work, but it pays off”

I was recently with a former colleague last week. His girlfriend had studied at the College. He mentioned that the master’s degrees are very intense, but that it helped her find a job later on.

 

Hard to get in

The College has a reputation of having highly competitive admissions. But I couldn’t find any stats.

 

Notable alumni

 Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former Prime Minister of Denmark

Nick Clegg, the former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdo

Valerie Plame, former United States CIA Operations Officer