Summer School on EU Policy Making 2025

Brussels School of Governance at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Diplomatische Akademie Wien – Vienna School of International Studies

30 June - 11 July 2025

2025 Summer School theme: Analysing civil rights in today's EU

The intensive two-week Jean Monnet Summer School on EU Policy Making, taught on campus, is held one week in Brussels and one week in Vienna from Monday, 30 June to Friday, 11 July 2025. This Summer School allows students to explore both the old and the new centre of diplomacy in Europe. The Brussels School of Governance joins forces with the Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies to bring you this 'crash course' in European Union Policy Making. The focus area of the Summer School, which will be civil rights, touching on policy discussions related to human security, migration, anti-discrimination, diversity.

Packed with interactive seminars and study visits, this summer programme attracts students and young professionals who wish to broaden their knowledge of the European institutions, European law and the European decision-making process in general. The first week of the summer school takes place in Brussels and reviews the main EU institutions and decision-making procedures. During the second week students learn more about EU foreign relations, while enjoying the beautiful city of Vienna.

The Summer School corresponds to 5 ECTS. It is also part of the Postgraduate Certificate in EU Policy Making. This certificate is equivalent to 25 ECTS credits and provides an even better insight in the different EU policy areas.

The Brussels School of Governance is an alliance between the Institute for European Studies (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Vesalius College.

"Despite my completely different educational background, this Summer School experience was surprisingly comprehensive and enriching for me. The central theme of civil rights was a perfect fit and sparked engaging discussions with experts, leaving me inspired and passionate about policy and advocacy. On top of all this I also got to experience Brussels and Vienna through a new lens, amazing!"

Chloë Mbarushimana, 2023 Summer School student

Key features

Intensive 5 ECTS programme
Inter-university summer school: week 1 in Brussels, week 2 in Vienna
Perfect for students and professionals
Includes in-depth study visits to prime international institutions
Organised as part of a Jean Monnet Chair on the doorstep of the main EU institutions
Broadens your expertise on the functioning of the EU, its intricate decision-making process and the roles of various actors involved
Provides insider knowledge on the focus area of civil rights in today’s EU
Creates close connections with other students and professors, a network that will help boost your career

"As an industrial engineering graduate, I was curious about how my technical profile would fit into a broader policy-focused professional environment. The programme’s diverse lectures, dynamic study visits, and engaging simulation exercises built a strong foundation and understanding in EU policymaking, which proved instrumental in securing my current engineering role within the EU sector. It truly demonstrated that every background is welcome and can greatly benefit from this experience."

Casper Van Herzele, 2024 Summer School student

Curriculum

The Summer School’s main theme in 2025 is Analysing civil rights in today’s EU.

The first week in Brussels (30 June to 4 July) provides an introduction to the various decision-making actors and key policy areas. The second week in Vienna (7 to 11 July) offers in-depth knowledge on EU policy making and human rights, with a focus on external affairs. Lectures, discussions and exercises facilitated by academics and practitioners are complemented with study visits to EU institutions.

Throughout the two weeks, the summer school participants engage in a policy simulation exercise where they work in small groups to negotiate a policy solution to a civil rights-related problem in the EU. They are assigned a role and asked to broker political and legislative agreements among EU member states. Upon attendance and active participation in the two-week programme, the participants receive a 5 ECTS certificate for taking part in the Summer School.

Tuition fee

The tuition fee for the Summer School is EUR 1,900, to be paid before 1 May. However, if the applicant is offered an early bird discount, the tuition fee is to be paid before 1 April.

We offer the following tuition discounts*:

10% early-bird discount: Applicants who submit their application by 16 March at the latest and are subsequently admitted to the programme, are eligible for a 10% discount on the tuition fee.
20% discount applicable to all BSoG / Vesalius College / Institute for European Studies alumni, their siblings, their spouse(s) and/or their children

* These discounts cannot be combined.

For current BSoG and Study Abroad students, acceptance depends on whether they meet the criteria for admission.

The tuition fee includes: course material, access to online platform, daily lunch in Brussels and Vienna, public transport, group flight from Brussels to Vienna on the Sunday at the end of the first week of the summer school, and study visits. The tuition fee does not include: accommodation, breakfasts and evening meals, flights to Brussels and from Vienna back home.

Admission

Please apply via the following online application form:
https://www.eu-summerschool.eu/admission/

Admission requirements

It is recommended to be (at least) in the final year of a Bachelor degree.
Candidates from partner countries neighbouring the EU are especially encouraged to apply.
All candidates must demonstrate a high level of motivation and interest in their letter of intent.
A good level of English is necessary.

Deadlines

Please note that applications will be reviewed as of February – you may of course already apply before that date.
Assessments are on a rolling basis, namely every two weeks in the period February - 28 April.
Early bird deadline: 16 March
Applicants who submit their application by 16 March at the latest and are subsequently admitted to the programme are eligible for a 10% discount on the tuition fee.
Tuition fee waiver deadline: 16 March (see "Tuition fee" tab)
Application deadline: 27 April

CONTACT

Brussels School of Governance (BSoG)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel

W www.brussels-school.be

Summer School flyer (PDF)