What is the Intensive Seminar?

The Intensive Seminar on the European Union is a three-, two- or one-week training programme providing professionals with in-depth knowledge and practical skills on EU decision-making and policies. Participants can choose between three different programmes, depending on their prior level and experience on EU affairs: 
 

• For participants who seek to gain a thorough understanding or to refresh their knowledge on the EU, we propose a comprehensive programme covering the institutional framework and the EU's main internal and external policies: see the Classic three-week programme;
• Participants that already possess a good knowledge of the EU institutional framework are invited to join the Advanced two-week programme allowing them to benefit from a full analysis of both the internal and external policies of the EU;

• Participants who are well familiarised with both the institutional framework and the EU's policies are invited to join the Compact one-week programme on the European Commission priorities, which offers a practical review of the main legislative initiatives of the  Juncker’s European Commission whilst looking ahead to the next term.

The three programmes focus on the latest developments of the EU and are practice-oriented; the seminar aims to improve participants’ professional skills and performance when working on EU ;

The seminar will be organised for the 25th year in a row in the Bruges campus of the College of Europe and is the flagship programme among the College of Europe Development Executive Education courses.
 

Why participate?

Each year, a group of 40 to 80 highly motivated professionals from all over the world representing the public and private sectors, civil society and academia participate in the Intensive Seminar to improve their EU knowledge and skills.

The programme offers an intensive and practice-oriented learning experience in a truly international environment giving you the possibility to:

• Improve, extend and update your current knowledge and understanding of the EU through the numerous analytical and practice-oriented sessions and choose the programme that best corresponds to your needs;
• Strengthen your professional skills through exercises in managing the information flow in EU affairs, communication, presentation, negotiation techniques and lobbying practice;
• Experience the Brussels world during and after the sessions with EU practitioners and during a visit to the EU institutions while participating in the Classic programme;
• Enjoy a unique opportunity to debate the EU and extend your personal and professional network with participants from over 30 different countries;
• Benefit from the College’s European Documentation Centre and Library - one of the world’s largest repositories of EU information materials.

What former participants say:

Each year, the Intensive Seminar welcomes participants from all over the world and from diverse professional ;Read about their experiences at the College here and below.

"The Intensive Seminar on the EU is a very well prepared and carried out programme. Even before the official start of the training we already received lots of useful information and preliminary readings. The whole experience is just overwhelming. Starting with the pleasant housing to the remarkable professors, the interesting topics of the lectures and the high class participants. Not to forget the exceptional work of the seminar assistants who try so hard to make everybody feel as pleasant as possible! Participation is highly recommended!."

Steffen Weiss
Political Affairs Manager, Munich International Airport
Participant of the 2018 Classic/Compact programme

"Thanks to the "Intensive Seminar" I have been able to widen my knowledge of the EU deeply, on how it works, why it does what it does, and its relation with all the other "actors" in the EU: from countries, to lobbies, including the EU ; Luis Ander Cabrera Ansoleaga
Erasmus + Entrepeneurs participant
Participant of the 2018 Classic three-week programme

"EU Intensive seminar was an excellent experience for both professsional and personnel development. This course gave me a good combination of EU knowledge, practical concept and tools, fruitfull discussions and debates and an unique opportunity to share experiences with lecturers and participants. I would highly recommend to anyone!."

Ana Vaz Raposo
EU Funding Consultant
Participant of the 2018 Classic three-week programme