In order to conserve, spread and deepen Wilfried Martens’ European political heritage and ideas, Mrs Miet Smet-Martens, the European People’s Party and his Alma Mater have established in December 2014 the KU Leuven Wilfried Martens Fund.

The Fund supports academic education and research activities and projects focused on the themes that were dear to Wilfried Martens during his European political career, such as the EU’s institutional architecture, its neighbourhood policy and the development of European parties and foundations. The Fund also pays attention to the relationship between politics and religion, the dialogue between religions, and to the European aspirations of the countries of the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership.

The Fund establishes the ‘Wilfried Martens Scholarship’ for students from non-EU Member States allowing them to follow the Master of European Politics and Policies at KU Leuven during the academic year 2020-2021 (September-June). Students that are eligible and who wish to study an English taught one year master degree at the KU Leuven are invited to apply for the scholarship.

Applicants are only deemed eligible if the following criteria are met: 

•Applicants from all provinces and regions of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo.

•Applicants must have a 4 Year University Degree (3 year Bachelors + 1 year Masters) or (4 year Bachelors of 240 ECTS Credits):

oAccepted degrees are in the fields of Political Science, Sociology, Law, Economics or Contemporary European History. For a complete list: see Rules of procedure1.2 .

oDegree grade achieved should be 'cum laude' ('honours' / 'distinction' / Upper Second Class / 3.5 GPA).

•Applicants whose native language is not English are required to prove that they are a C-level on the Common Framework of Reference level of the Council of Europe. The MEPP programme only accepts two tests as valid:

oTOEFL: minimum 600 pt. (paper-based test), 250 pt. (computer-based test) or 100 pt. (internet-based test)

oIELTS: minimum band 7.0-7.5

oFor students whose undergraduate or previous studies have been completely in English (for four years), copies of transcripts and diplomas can act as proof of English proficiency.

Applications have to be submitted online through the website of the KU Leuven Admissions Office. The file consists primarily of the application form and other relevant documents to be uploaded onto the online application file:

•PDF scans of the original university diploma(s)

•PDF scans of the original transcripts of academic records. If these documents are not in English, Dutch, French, or German, please arrange for these documents to be translated by a registered translator. These documents must also be certified by the educational institution that issues them or by a national authority. 

•An official explanation of the grading system used in the academic institution(s) where the student pursued his/her graduate studies;

•Proof of proficiency in English (i.e. TOEFL or IELTS);

•Motivation letter (+/- 2 pages) regarding your application for the Master of European Politics and Policies and (as a conditio sine que non) why applying for the Wilfried Martens Scholarship;

•Scan of passport/ID.

•15 March 2020: deadline for submission of the application

•March-April 2020: intake interview with the jury

•April-May 2020: the scholarship is awarded

The Scholarship includes:

•Monthly paid (September-June) living expenses

•Tuition Fee

•Affiliation with a Belgian Health Insurance Company

•Third Party Liability Insurance

Before applying please read carefully the Scholarship’s rules of procedure at the Fund’s webpage.

KU Leuven – Master of European Politics and Policies

For additional information, please contact Mrs. Sylvia Tutenel