Programme
The duration of the European Joint Master’s in Strategic
Border Management programme is 18 months (not including summer and winter season breaks). The programme constitutes 90 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits, where one ECTS credit reflects 28 hours of student learning activity directly related to the programme outcomes.
The programme is delivered over three stages. Each stage
represents one semester of full-time study, carrying 30 ECTS credits.
Stages 1 and 2 contain the taught component of the programme and comprise a total of 10 modules. Each module comprises a contact period of 1 week (modules 1 to 8) or 2 weeks (modules 9 and 10), delivered by an institution from the consortium. Five out of 10 contact sessions are conducted in person, and five are delivered online. To ensure that students entering this phase of the programme are all at the same level, students are requested to read the preparatory material listed in the description of each module. The programme also incorporates an experiential learning element which is applied in the operational context and takes place after intensive contact sessions.
The dissertation, which is planned during stage 3, is meant to be the keystone experience which requires students to synthesise the depth of learning from the programme.
Upon graduation, the students are awarded the diploma of the European Joint Master’s in Strategic Border Management that is signed by all the academic partners and recognised internationally as a master’s degree.
Stage 1
Stage 1 comprises of six modules:
Strategy, Planning and Evaluation in Border Guarding (5 ECTS credits)
Fundamental Rights and Ethics in European Border Security Management (5 ECTS credits)
Leadership and Organizational development in Border Management (5 ECTS credits)
EU Borders Policies and Strategies (5 ECTS credits)
Innovation and Technology In Border Security (5 ECTS credits)
Researching Management practices in Border Security (5 ECTS credits)
Stage 2
Stage 2 comprises of four modules:
The Global Context of European Border Security (5 ECTS credits)
Strategic Risk & Threat Management for European Border Security (5 ECTS credits)
Cooperation In Strategic Border Management (10 ECTS credits)
Researching Integrated Practices in Border Management (10 ECTS credits)
Stage 3
Dissertation (30 ECTS credits)
This stage provides students an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to work independently on a well-defined problem in a coherent, well-organised and critical manner.
The dissertation themes are drawn from the topics proposed by the Member States/Schengen Associated Countries to fill the gaps in research areas and innovation in strategic border management.
The purpose of a dissertation is to develop the ability to draw on literature in the discipline to synthesise a research topic and/or to select, interpret and apply a methodologically sound research approach.
The completion of the dissertation will enhance students’ ability to reflect on their own and their organisation’s practice with reference to international research in the area. Students will develop critical awareness of previous work in their chosen field and contribute to knowledge by exploring or modifying some additional areas. They will be able to present and critique their work in a clear, structured style, using logical argument.