European Master's in Asylum and Reception Management
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European Master's in Asylum and Reception Management
(Award Code: EMD_ARM_L7)
Programme overview, objectives and structure.
The European Master’s in Asylum and Reception Management (Award Code: EMD_ARM_L7) is an English taught programme designed to equip professionals with the analytical, managerial, and policy skills required to address the major challenges of international protection across Europe. Asylum and reception management are at the heart of the EUAA Agency’s efforts to uphold fundamental rights and ensure fair, efficient, and humane protection systems. This interdisciplinary degree situates these processes within the wider context of global migration trends, European legal frameworks, and evolving national and EU policies. It also examines how technological innovations create both opportunities and new ethical dilemmas in the governance of asylum and reception. These competencies will strengthen the student’s capacity to contribute to institutional goals, align national practices with European standards, and foster innovation in the management of international protection.
Designed as part of the EUAA’s capacity-building efforts, the European Master’s in Asylum and Reception Management is intended exclusively for professionals working within EU+ countries’ asylum and reception administrations, as well as for EUAA staff. Participation in the programme is therefore based on formal nomination through national Training National Contact Points (TNCPs), ensuring that enrolled students are supported by, and contribute directly to, their national authorities.
Drawing on expertise from across the social sciences, the programme combines theoretical foundations with applied learning. It provides students with a deep understanding of management approaches relevant to operational and rapidly changing environments, supporting both professional advancement and the development of effective public administration practices.
The curriculum culminates in a capstone research project, where students, individually or exceptionally in small groups, apply evidence-based methods to explore current issues in asylum and reception. Supervised by academic and professional experts, this project encourages critical inquiry, innovation, and solution-oriented thinking from a European perspective.
Overall, the Master’s fosters a comprehensive understanding of international protection systems while creating a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange among professionals from different Member States, translating academic insights into practical application in professional contexts. It prepares graduates to contribute effectively to national administrations, EU institutions, and international organisations engaged in migration and asylum management.
The programme aims to support EU+ countries’ administrations by strengthening managerial capacity while promoting a shared European perspective.
Learning objectives
- Develop comprehensive understanding of European and international dimensions of asylum and reception (legal, institutional, policy).
- Enhance personal managerial skills for national and European contexts, with emphasis on leadership in public administration and the asylum/reception domain.
- Strengthen analytical and applied research competencies for evidence‑based, cross‑sectoral decision‑making.
- Expand capacity for inter‑institutional and EU‑level cooperation and knowledge exchange.
On completion, graduates will be able to
- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of European‑level factors shaping the legal, political and institutional landscape of asylum and reception.
- Analyse, evaluate and enhance internal processes within asylum and reception administrations.
- Make operational and strategic decisions grounded in qualitative and quantitative evidence.
- Foster and facilitate organisational and professional development within managed teams.
- Lead and manage teams effectively in asylum and reception settings, promoting collaboration, innovation and accountability.
The master’s is a three‑year, part‑time English programme delivered in a blended format (online and face‑to‑face), tailored for professionals in EU+ asylum and reception administrations seeking to strengthen managerial, analytical and policy competencies from a European perspective.
It comprises fifteen compulsory modules across three academic years. Each module integrates theoretical learning with practice‑oriented activities and is assessed through summative assessments, presentations and participation. Progression runs from legal/policy foundations to advanced managerial and research competencies, culminating in a capstone project of practical relevance.