European Politics and Society (MA)
Career prospects
Where do our graduates work?
Your Master's programme will qualify you for roles in almost every sector of the employment market. Many of our graduates work for public services, research institutes, business services, banking and financial services, communications, education, advisory work, policy development, management, co-ordination, editing and information services.
Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:
- Senior policy advisor at the European Union
- Senior policy advisor for national governments
- Senior policy advisor for multinationals or NGOs
- Embassy staff
- Consultant
- Development worker
- Academic researcher
- PhD candidate
- Policy advisor for central and local governmen
- Policy advisor for businesses
- Policy advisor for NGOs
- Journalist
Nino Makhauri
Graduated in MA European Politics and Society
"Prior to enrolling in the EPS programme, I already had a master’s degree in modern and contemporary History. I chose the European Politics and Society master’s programme, because I wanted to add a different perspective to my knowledge and deepen my understanding of Europe: its societies, people, and the challenges Europe faces, especially since Georgia, the country I come from, has a clear aspiration to join the EU in the near future."
Ph.D. Research
I am currently working on my Ph.D. thesis that studies the military aggression Russia launched on Georgia in 2008 and the aftermath of the war: continuous occupation of Georgian lands, kidnapping and killing of Georgian citizens by Russian soldiers. I incorporate accumulated knowledge and experience into the research so that I can draw a clear picture of the 2008 war and its consequences for the broader public.
Practicing knowledge
Right now I am also working on writing History textbooks for the schools in Georgia corresponding to the new standards and guidelines the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia had set up in the national strategies. I am very happy that I can put my knowledge into practice, since I believe that one’s knowledge is best used when it is shared to affect a positive change.
In which sector do students find jobs?
The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA European Union Studies 2016-2020.
- 54 % Government and semi-government organisations
- 15 % Non-profit
- 10 % Communication and marketing
- 5 % Financial institutions
- 4 % Education
- 4 % IT
- 4 % Consultancy
- 4 % Media and journalism
Graduates of the EPS Programme will primarily obtain high-level academic knowledge and skills during the two-year Master Degree. In addition to that, thanks to a large network of Associate Partners in all Consortium member countries, in Brussels and partner countries outside Europe such as Chili, Armenia and Mexico, you will get a practical experience in the field of European studies and international relations. You will be capable of open but critical understanding and of conceptual thinking, and of appreciating cultural diversity. This intellectual equipment will provide you with an opportunity to find positions related to the problems of the studied area in both public and private spheres.
During your studies you will have ample opportunity to gain experience studying, working, or conducting research at an organisation or institution. This experience is highly valued within international organisations. In class, we encourage every student to participate in discussions with fellow students and lecturers to develop their confidence articulating ideas. Regular events throughout the year, including an Employment Café, present opportunities to network with alumni and explore internship and job opportunities.
Internships are an obligatory part of the programme. They are a great way to gain invaluable first-hand experience in your area of interest before you decide on making it a career. In recent years students from the closely related Master’s programme in International Relations have been doing internships at the following organisations:
- Communications manager and project assistant at an NGO promoting reconciliation and peace
- PhD student
- Policy advisor for the European Parliament
- unior advisor on public affairs at a communications and consultancy firm
- Research assistant at a legal institute
- Junior advisor on PR at a consultancy firm
- Programme assistant at an NGO promoting Eastern European interests and development
- Research analyst at a consultancy firm
- Project officer at an embassy in the Netherlands
- Project manager at a company specialising in geo-services, international development and project management
Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at Humanities Career Service provide all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV.
The Humanities Career Service offers you various (online) workshops, webinars and info sessions. Check our overview of career activities.
The Leiden University Career Zone is an online career portal that helps you to prepare for the job market. Here you can find information, tools and tips to help you gain more personal insight, learn about the job market, develop your application skills, plan your academic and professional career, find job vacancies and discover what the Career Service can do for you.
Join the Mentor Network to contact alumni with experience on the labour market and ask them for advice. More than 1200 alumni are happy to help you!
Jelle on finding an internship via Leiden University's Mentor Network
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