On 12 September, our Centre for Judges and Lawyers in Luxembourg welcomed the new cohort of the Master of European Legal Studies (MELS Online) for the 2025-2027 academic cycle. The event brought together first- and second-year students, alumni, experts, and the MELS team for an afternoon of exchange and reflection.
This year’s intake includes scholarship holders supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg. Selected from EU candidate countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine – as for the previous editions these students enrich the programme with diverse perspectives and experiences.
As a practising lawyer and legal trainer for professionals in Moldova, I see MELS as an excellent opportunity to deepen my expertise in EU law, which is becoming increasingly relevant in national practice and regulation.“
The opening programme featured presentations on key evolving challenges of EU governance.:
Artificial Intelligence Governance – Selected OECD Activities, by Nikolas Schmidt, Economist and Policy Analyst in the OECD’s AI and Emerging Digital Technologies Division.
Assessing the Post-Lisbon European Union’s System of Delegated Powers at Fifteen, by Prof. Herwig C.H. Hofmann, Professor of European and Transnational Public Law at the University of Luxembourg.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for newly admitted students to meet their peers, while second-year students and alumni reconnected with colleagues. Alumni shared first-hand insights into their experience, encouraging the incoming cohort to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the programme.
About the MELS Programme
The Master of European Legal Studies (MELS Online) is a two-year, bilingual (English and French) programme jointly offered by EIPA Luxembourg and the Université de Lorraine in France. Upon completion, participants are awarded a French Master II degree: Master en études européennes – spécialité Droit de l’Union européenne.
MELS is designed for professionals who wish to deepen their expertise in EU law while balancing their careers.
Developed in collaboration with the Centre Européen Universitaire (CEU), MELS provides both a solid foundation in the European integration process and the practical skills needed to address complex legal and policy questions in professional contexts.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025-2027 cycle begins, EIPA Luxembourg looks forward to supporting a new generation of students on their MELS journey – a unique blend of academic quality, professional development, and cross-border exchange. Find out more about the programme
