Master of European Social Security
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
This one-year advanced master's program deals with social security and social protection from a legal, economic, sociological, administrative, and philosophical perspective. In addition to being multidisciplinary, the curriculum contains a strong comparative and multinational component focusing on the provision of social protection rights across Europe.
The Master of European Social Security gives you the opportunity to understand the many different approaches to social security that co-exist within the historic continent of Europe. At the same time, you will gain a better understanding of your own national system within the context of the wider continental picture. The program also includes a careful, in-depth study of the role of international bodies such as the European Union.
As a student of the program, you’ll become part of an international network of experts in the field of social security. Students come from various European countries and beyond and have different academic backgrounds and motives for participation. The teaching staff consists of renowned professors from KU Leuven and other European universities specializing in various disciplines related to social security.
Strengths
- The unique teaching format offers you the best of both worlds: an authentic university experience at one of Europe's foremost universities and the flexibility to complete the majority of the program from home.
- Throughout the program, you will be connected to a unique international network of universities and be in contact with teaching staff and fellow participants from all over Europe.
- The multidisciplinary and multinational approach will broaden your perspective and will help you look at problems from a new angle. This alternative approach develops your ability to adapt to new situations and will be highly valuable throughout your professional career.
Curriculum
Executive Summer School Social Security
- Comparative Study of Social Security Systems in Europe
- Social Security Law, Policy, and Economics
Master European Social Security
- Social Policy and Law, including Discussion Sessions
- European Social Security Law (Advanced)
- Report and Tender Writing
- Master Paper: Internship and Reflecting Report
Ideal Students
Student Profile
You may be a master’s graduate eager to specialize in social security, a social security researcher or teacher, or a professional involved in social security administration and/or policy development.
Ideally, you have:
- Good knowledge of your own social security system and its functioning
- An ability to formulate research questions and carry out corresponding research in the area of social security
- High-level skills to critically evaluate national social security research within your own discipline
- An appropriate degree in a social security-related discipline.
While all prospective students should have knowledge of social security acquired by study, those with practical experience, e.g. experience working in a social security administration, are particularly valued. Some previous exposure to European social affairs and/or foreign social security systems is also helpful.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 60 ECTS
- Degree Type: Advanced Master
- Specifications: Master of Laws.
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly-ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their research. In our FabLab, students can use several high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programs as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student center is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Program Leaders
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Past graduates are often employed in European, international or national social security institutions or administrations, in insurance companies, in NGOs or academic research, and in institutions dealing with social security and social protection.