FAQ
Which entity awards the degree of this programme?
The degree for this Postgraduate certificate in EU policy making will be issued by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
What happens after I applied?
Admission decisions are usually made within three weeks after receipt of the complete application. Once accepted, students must pay a € 1000 pre-registration fee to be deducted from tuition. In addition, they must provide a degree-verification confirming their diploma, as explained here.
Are lectures in this programme to be attended ‘live’?
No, the lectures in this programme are organised in an asynchronous format, meaning that they can be followed by the students at their preferred time, no matter which time zone they are in, or whether they are available to follow lectures during the day.
How much time do students need to allocate on a weekly basis when following this programme?
While this programme requires a significant time commitment, it is possible to combine it with part-time or full-time employment. It is important to note that the assignments within this programme can sometimes be extensive. However, our professors are flexible and open to discussing workload and deadlines on an individual basis. The time required for students to invest in this study programme varies depending on the period of the year and the assignments due during that specific time, as well as, of course, your choice to take the programme in one or two years. Students who take the programme in one year, can expect an average time commitment of 12-15h/week in the first semester, and about 20h/week in the second semester. Students should also foresee 3-5 days for exams / end papers per course on average, as well as the two weeks to attend the Summer or Winter School.
How is the programme structured? Are the classes and exams organised on a fixed time?
The online courses of the PGC follow the academic calendar of the VUB. Each course is structured in six different modules that are published online every two weeks, during the first or second semester of the academic year. The classes and exams are nonetheless organised in a way that allows students to have control over their learning experience and create a study routine that suits their individual needs. Thus, in this programme, the lectures are delivered in an asynchronous format. This means that students can access and watch the pre-recorded lecture videos at their preferred time, regardless of time zone or availability during the day. Likewise, students are provided with different time slots to plan and complete their exams, whether written or oral. The scheduling of exams is arranged between the students and their professors, allowing for flexibility and individual planning.
As this is an online programme, are there also possibilities for interaction with professors or other students?
While direct interaction is not available during the lecture videos, students have the opportunity to engage with their professors via emails and/or through virtual meetings over the course of the academic year. In this way students can seek clarification, discuss course content, and receive personalised guidance from their professors, as they would do in a classroom. Additionally, students have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers, notably through group work. This allows for interaction and collaboration in an online environment, promoting a sense of community and shared learning experience.
What kind of assignments do the students get and how are these assessed?
Assignments in this programme can take various forms such as classic written essays but also policy briefs, with a more practical focus, or yet video presentations in which students record themselves. This enables students to showcase their understanding and creativity through multimedia formats. In terms of assessment, we apply a combination of continuous assessment throughout the programme and a more traditional exam period, which also takes place online, in January and June, at the end of the first or second semester of the academic year. Continuous assessment ensures that students' progress is monitored on a regular basis, while the classic exam period provides an opportunity for comprehensive evaluation.
Which teaching and exam regulations are applicable?
The VUB Teaching and Exam Regulations apply, complemented by a set of regulations specifically applicable to programmes organised by the Institute for European Studies / Brussels School of Governance. The latest version of the VUB Teaching and Exam Regulations can be consulted here (in Dutch - official version) and here (in English). The latest version of the VUB Teaching and Exam Regulations with Institute for European Studies / Brussels School of Governance complements can be consulted here (in Dutch).
What are the cancellation terms?
The applicable cancellation policy depends on whether a student starts the PGC in EU Policy Making with the Summer School in early July, or with the online courses in late September:
- For students starting the programme with the Summer School, the cancellation policy of the Summer School applies. This policy is different from the September cancellation policy, as Summer School preparation includes the booking of flights, accommodation, etc.
- For students starting the programme directly with the online courses, the following cancellation policy applies. In case of cancellation before the start of the academic year, an administrative fee of 350 EUR will be charged. Cancellations after the start of the academic year but before 1 December will result in an administrative fee of 350 EUR and a reimbursement of 50% of the total tuition fee. Cancellations after 1 December will not be reimbursed.