The first semester of the European Interdisciplinary Studies programme at Natolin is thematically geared towards the broad defining components of EU studies on the one hand, and towards the main elements of context of European history and politics on the other. Concretely, students learn about the EU institutions, the web of rules surrounding them, and the economic governance in the EU against the backdrop of history of European civilization, development of national identities, roles of democracy  and religion in contemporary societies, and influence of phenomena such as migration, energy and technology on political agendas.

The first semester study trip offers to students a deeper understanding of European identities and a first-hand experience of policies in practice at the EU’s borders. The study trip is an integral part of the academic programme, participation is obligatory and students are expected to attend all related conferences and activities. It counts for 2 ECTS.

After finishing their first semester with a comprehensive and well-contextualized grasp of European integration, Natolin students then move to the second semester where they specialize in one of the four offered thematic majors, customizable according to student interests.

European Security and Strategy Study Track: The European Security and Strategy Study Track (ESSST) has been conceived in response to the growing need in Europe for strategic thinking and expertise in the multidimensional facets of security. The programme addresses some of the most pressing contemporary challenges for Europe and the EU. The study track will be implemented across the entire academic year, in both semesters. Upon successful completion of the track, ESSST students will receive a degree in European Interdisciplinary Studies with the mention “European Security and Strategy”.

European Regional Studies programme: Throughout both semesters, students will benefit from an offer with area-studies focus in addition to the thematic focus chosen within majors or within the ESSST. The European Regional Studies programme will enable them to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the political, economic, social, cultural, and historical dynamics within selected regions, concretely the Central and Eastern Europe.

Introductory courses

All students must follow all introductory courses on the Natolin e-Learning platform before the start of the academic year.

• HAMMAMI, A.; STEINGASS, S. – Introduction to Political Science (0 ECTS)
• SCHUMACHER, T. – Introduction to International Relations (0 ECTS)
• VAN ELSUWEGE, P. – Introduction to Law (0 ECTS)
• BOBROWICZ, B. – Introduction to Economics (0 ECTS)
• CHRISTIE, E. H. - Elementary Foundations in Economics and Econometrics (0 ECTS)
• WESSELS, W. – Introduction to Theories and Strategies of European Integration (0 ECTS)
• SZOSTAK, R. – Introduction to Interdisciplinarity and Transdisciplinarity (0 ECTS)
• SCHIRMANN, S. – L'Histoire de la construction européenne (0 ECTS)
• BUTTERWICK-PAWLIKOWSKI, R. – History of European Civilization (0 ECTS)

Core Courses

Students enrolled in the EIS programme who do not follow the ESSST are required to take altogether five Core Courses. They are expected to take the Pluridisciplinary Option courses, but may replace one, two, or all three with courses from the Interdisciplinary Option, provided that they pass the relevant entry tests. In addition, they follow both courses from the ERS programme.

Compulsory courses

All students must follow both compulsory courses.

• BUTTERWICK-PAWLIKOWSKI, R. – History of Central and Eastern Europe, 1740-1940 (20h, 4 ECTS) (ERS)

• MINK, G. – L'Europe centrale et orientale depuis 1940 (20h, 2 ECTS) (ERS)

  Pluridisciplinary option:	Interdisciplinary option:
  LORD, C. – EU Institutions and Decision-making (20h) VAN ELSUWEGE, P. – The EU Legal Order: Rights, Norms and Values (20h) WESSELS, W. – EU Economic Governance (20h)	MARTELLI, A. – Political Economy of Europe in a Changing World Order (20h) HENDERSON, J. – Energy in a Globalised World: Economics, Politics and Policies (20h) CASSARINO, J.-P. – International Cooperation and the Governance of Migration (20h) LANNON, E. – The EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Strategies: a Geo-Legal Approach (20h)

Contextual courses

All students are required to select two or three Contextual Courses.

• PORTIER, P. – La religion dans l’Europe contemporaine (10h, 0 ECTS)
• MHANNA, A. – Grands enjeux de la liberté de la presse (10h, 0 ECTS)
• BRAGUE, R. – Orientalisme (10h, 0 ECTS)
• SASNAL, P. – Climate Induced Migration (10h, 0 ECTS)
• KIMBER, A. – Strategic Communication in a Digital Age (8h, 0 ECTS)
• KRUKOWSKA, E. – Media and Climate: Communicating the Green Transition (8h, 0 ECTS)
• CICHOCKI, M. A. ; DĘBSKI, S. – Cold War Strategies from the Central Eastern Europe Perspective (10h, 0 ECTS) (ERS)

Masterclasses
Simulation Games and Masterclasses are optional, with no limit on the number students may take. 

• LUCAS, E. – The Cold Wars

Simulation games

• BUTTERWICK-PAWLIKOWSKI, R. – The Paris Peace Conference of 1919-20 (10h)
• MARISSEN, V. – EU Decision-making and Interest Representation in Practice (10h)

Master’s thesis and Research strategies and tools

In addition to the courses they take during the first and second semesters, students must write and defend a Master’s thesis in English or French, counting for 16 ECTS.

• STEINGASS, S. (coord.); BOBROWICZ, B.; BRUN PEDERSEN, R.; CHABAN, N.; EXADAKTYLOS, T.; LONGHURST, K.; MINK, G.;ROZUMALSKI, J.; SZOSTAK, R.; VAN ELSUWEGE, P.; VANNONI, M.; WINAND, P. – Research Strategies and Tools (20h)

The academic programme above applies to the 2026-2027 academic year and reflects the version approved by the Academic Council as of 18 June 2026.

Professional development

The Capacity Building Office complements the academic programme with on-site, made-to-measure support and guidance in helping to shape the students’ professional paths.

Language courses

In addition to benefitting from a bilingual study programme, students can take advantage of language courses on offer implemented by the Languages and Intercultural Dialogue Office. The following languages are on offer: English, French, Italian, German, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. The courses are tailored to the individual students' needs, and are also focused on transversal skills required by employers.