Master of European Politics and Policies (MEPP)

EMPA Network Exchange practicalities Testimonials

EMPA Network

The MEPP programme finds its roots in the European Masters of Public Administration (EMPA) programme. This programme was set up in 1988 by the Public Management section of the Political Science Department. Later on, the Institute for International and European Policy and the Public Management Institute took over the full responsibility of the MEPP programme.

The MEPP programme is part of a wider network, comprising several European universities. Building on the respective strengths and potentials of the institutions, these universities have developed a framework for outstanding research and well-structured and closely supervised student exchanges.

The following institutions of the European Master of Public Administration Network (EMPA) network are full partners of Leuven University MEPP programme:

Exchange practicalities

MEPP students are offered the possibility to continue the second semester of their study programme at one of the above-mentioned EMPA institutions, receiving a travel reimbursement and exempted from paying any additional registration fees. Successful students will be awarded an EMPA certificate, signed by both the home university and the partner institution.

The information on the pages below only concerns exchange students sent in the framework of the EMPA Consortium. Other exchange students (Erasmus, etc.), wishing to study at K.U.Leuven’s Faculty of Social Sciences, can find relevant information on the Erasmus webpages.

Testimonials

Paris ... I spent an exchange semester at SciencesPo in Paris. I can recommend this experience to everybody! First of all, as a city Paris had certainly many things to offer that you cannot find in Leuven. Keep in mind though, that it is not student-minded at all and that costs for housing and general expenses can be multiplied by two or three compared with Leuven. The courses at SciencesPo were very interesting, I took for example "Lobbying européen" and "Systèmes politiques nationaux de l’ UE". You can take courses in French or English or both - like I did - but if you already have proficiency in French, it might be worthwhile to take all courses in French (being of course more demanding). At SciencesPo, one also works with a pleasant teaching method. Emphasis is placed on presentations and papers during the semester, meaning you will have a lot of work during the semester. Therefore, the exams at the end only count for a smaller percentage of the grades. But eventually, it all pays off since the courses offered are very stimulating. Moreover, SciencesPo is perhaps not the “typical” exchange experience, in that teachers are demanding and treat you as a regular student. 

- Bregt KIPPERS, outgoing exchange student 2007-200


Leiden … What can I say: the learning experience was amazing!  The university as a facility was very good, the professors where excellent.  I liked the fact that they welcomed the input I offered as someone who has worked for the EU institutions before.  At times, they would even ask me to lead the class with them; they would consult me to verify whether the theory fits the practice. 
As for the lodging, I was a little disappointed there.  I arranged to have the university find me a place, but the standard was not very good.  I would suggest to future exchange students to go and look on their own for a place; they'll definitely find something nice and cheap. 
Apart from that, Leiden is very safe and tourist-friendly, everyone speaks English, if not more languages.  Moreover, you can get anywhere on a bicycle, the sights to see on your way are excellent, and for me at least it was really worth it to have gone. 
- Karolina ROMANSKA, outgoing exchange student 2006-2007

 

Leiden is a very nice city near Amsterdam and La Haye and where you will circulate only by bike. It is very quiet and you have a lot of students living there. Everybody speaks English, so it is not the best place if you want to learn Dutch ;)
The way of teaching asks from students that, each week, they prepare/read/analyse materials for the next course and everybody is asked to participate in class. It could appear like "binding" but it is not, it is a very good and nice way to teach and you will get a lot of experience which will be helpful in your next career.
They have a system with trimesters what enabled me to go to Leiden from end of March until June and have a traineeship in the European Parliament in between Leuven and Leiden (from February till March). Of course, my period in Leiden was then very short.
In a nutshell, I would say that it is a great university, very nice city still close to Brussels and Leuven. Great courses, great teachers, great environment!
- Tanguy STUCKENS, outgoing exchange student 2004-2005