Rector: Federica Mogherini
Website: http://www.coleurope.eu/
(Bruges) The College of Europe was the world’s first university institute of postgraduate studies and training in European affairs. It was founded in 1949 by leading European figures such as Salvador de Madariaga, Winston Churchill, Paul Henri Spaak and Alcide de Gasperi in the wake of the first Congress of the European Movement in The Hague in 1948. The idea was to establish an institute where university graduates from many different European countries could study and live together. Today, the College consists of two campuses, one in Bruges and the other established in Natolin, (Warsaw, Poland) in 1993 with the support of the European Commission and the Polish government. The College now operates as ‘one College – two campuses’ and what was once referred to as the ‘esprit de Bruges’, is now known as the ‘esprit du Collège’.
Each academic year at the College is presided by a ‘Patron’ who has contributed to European integration and the values of the European Union. The College of Europe is characterised by its academic independence, its bilingualism, the diversity of its teaching staff and its multicultural environment, which together create a genuine European ‘microcosm’. Entry requirements and rigorous selection procedures ensure that students who are recruited are of the highest calibre. The student body reflects a variety of cultures and personal experiences. Students come from over 50 countries, many speaking several languages. The accredited academic programmes of Bruges and Natolin provide students with a specialised grounding in the European dimension of their fields of study, as well as an in-depth understanding of Europe in all its complexity.
In Bruges, students enrol in one of five academic departments: European Economic Studies; European Legal Studies; European Political and Governance studies; EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies and Transatlantic Affairs. In Natolin, the study programme analyses the process of European integration from a pluri-disciplinary perspective. Upon completion of the programme, students are awarded the ‘Master of Arts in European Interdisciplinary Studies’.
Each department is flanked by a team of Academic Assistants who support the students through teaching activities as well as research. Some Academic Assistants also work alongside Research Chairs such as the EP Geremek European Civilisation Chair, the European Neighbourhood Policy Chair, the InBev-Baillet Latour Chair of European Union-China Relations, and the European Energy Policy Chair. Throughout the year at the College, students participate in many academic pursuits such conferences, simulations, moot court exercises, high level lectures, and study trips to international and European institutions. They also take part in organising their own cultural events in the form of “National Days” to allow their colleagues to discover their national heritage.
Relying on its extensive network of professors, trainers and alumni, the College also delivers, through its Development Office, professional training on EU affairs as well as consultancy services.
The Bruges campus and the Natolin campus are both associate TEPSA members.
Latest News (Bruges):
- Recommendations from members of the TEPSA network to the Spanish Presidency
- Job Vacancy: “Academic Assistant – Department of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies”, Deadline May 15 (College of Europe, Bruges)
- Colloquium: “EU staff and professionals’ studies: where are we and where do we go?”, May 15-16 (College of Europe, Bruges)
- Job Vacancies: the College of Europe is hiring an “Action Team of Experts” to assist in the creation of its new campus, Deadline May 2 (College of Europe, Bruges)
- Launch of a new podcast series (College of Europe, Bruges)
- Conference: “The Fast and the furious: Speeding up the green transition Brussels”, April 12 (College of Europe, Bruges)
- WATCH: “Building a Competitive Economy for Europe – Discussion with Michele Chang” | EuropeChats Episode 17
- International Women’s Day 2023: Read our Top Publications
- European Council Experts’ Debrief March 2023: What should the EU do to maintain a competitive green economy?
- Conference: “The Impact of War (in Ukraine) on the EU”, March 27-28 (College of Europe, Bruges)
Latest News (Natolin):
- Job Vacancy: “Chairholder of the European Neighbourhood Policy Chair at the College of Europe in Natolin”, Deadline March 31 (College of Europe, Natolin)
- Summer Programme: “Warsaw Euro-Atlantic Summer Academy (WEASA) 2023”, July 2-12 (College of Europe, Natolin)
- Event Report: “How to Navigate Society and Politics in the Digital Age – Implications for Europe” (College of Europe, Natolin)
- “Shining a Light on Energy – 10 Years of the Lisbon Treaty” , Alexandra Blin et al. (College of Europe, Natolin)
- “Judy Asks: Is the EU Doing Enough for Eastern Europe?”, Andriy Tyushka (College of Europe, Natolin)
- Job Vacancy: “Chairholder of the European Neighbourhood Policy Chair”, Deadline February 20 (College of Europe, Natolin)
- Call for papers: “External Partners in the EU’s Energy Transition: New Dependencies or Similar Challenges?”, Deadline January 31 (College of Europe, Natolin)
- Study Visit of Natolin Students to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum (College of Europe, Natolin)
- High-level Lecture by Mr Bujar Osmani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia (College of Europe, Natolin)
- Guest lecture “Nagorno-Karabakh: Background and Recent Developments” by H.E. Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk (College of Europe, Natolin)