The European Union Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is accepting applications for our Master of Arts in European Union Studies program. This two-year program allows students to gain specialized knowledge about the European Union in an interdisciplinary environment while developing their research skills and professional expertise.

The European Union Center is a Title VI National Resource Center as designated by the U.S. Department of Education and a Jean Monnet Center of Excellence through the European Union's Erasmus+ program. These grants facilitate the Center’s robust presence on the University of Illinois campus and its wide network of internal and external partners. Our students have opportunities to engage with expert faculty, leading scholars, and government officials, and are encouraged to study abroad during their time in the program. Our alumni go on to work in government, trade, security, diplomacy, public policy, international relations, sustainability, agriculture, higher education, and arts and culture.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying to the MA in EU Studies program are strongly encouraged to apply for the Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship ahead of their intended first year in the program. Applicants may also apply for graduate assistant or research assistant positions, which often include a tuition waiver.

We welcome submissions through the University of Illinois Graduate Student Application on or before January 31, 2025. (http://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply)

Eligibility:

• Applicants should have completed two years of study of a non-English language of the European Union or be able to demonstrate equivalent fluency.
• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree by the intended enrollment date.

Completed applications must include the following:

• Unofficial transcripts from all Universities and Colleges you have attended, excluding Junior Colleges, unless the program is relevant to this degree.  Transcripts will be used to calculate your GPA from your final 2 academic years of undergraduate study.
• International applications must provide a valid TOEFL or IELTS exam taken within 2 years of their intended start date.  For example, if applying for fall 2025, the test date cannot be prior to August 15, 2023.
• A resume or CV listing academic and non-academic training experience.
• An Academic Statement of Purpose of no more than 1,000 words that describes (1) your academic/professional interests, (2) your academic background and any work, training, research, or other experiences that have prepared you for graduate study, (3) your academic and professional goals in relation to the program’s course of study, and (4) your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this specific program, including prospective faculty or special campus resources vital to achieving these goals.
• A personal statement of no more than 500 words that explains how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Provide insight on your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively together.
• A writing sample (12-20 pages in length) that demonstrates capacity to conduct graduate level research, which includes analytical abilities and superior communication skills.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation - Academic or Professional who can attest to your ability to successfully complete graduate level work.
• While not required, if your undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0, we will accept recent test scores from at least one standardized test for graduate or professional school entry. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is normally preferred, but the EU Center will accept results from the GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT (Institution Code: 1836,Program Code: 00).

Potential applicants with questions should contact Dr. Amanda Smith (ansmith8@illinois.edu), Academic Programs Coordinator.

You can apply at the link here.