Institute for European Studies (IES)

The Institute for European Studies (IES) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) specifically explores EU institutions, policies and law within the context of globalization and global governance, including a focus on the EU in international affairs and institutions. The disciplines applied at the IES include law, social/political sciences, economics and communication sciences, and the Institute’s activities focus on the various ways in which institutions, law and politics intersect with each other in the EU, its member states and at the international level. 

Based on its research, the IES constitutes the focal point for teaching European Studies at the VUB. Our study programmes include:

Advanced Master in European Integration and Development*

LLM in International and European Law*

Postgraduate Certificate in EU Policy Making

Summer School on European Policy-Making

The Institute utilises its central location in Brussels for regularly organising events such as the IES Lecture Series, the IES Policy Forum, the biennial EU in International Affairs conference and other conferences and workshops for academia and the interested public. Furthermore, the IES publishes a book series, the IES Working Papers and the quarterly IES Newsletter.

*Admission to these programmes require an initial Master's degree. Students interested in initial Master's degrees may consult the graduate programmes offered by our partner institution Vesalius College in Brussels.