European Integration Summer School (EISS)

About the programme

Although challenged by a series of crises, the European Union (EU) remains of paramount importance in several policy areas on the global stage. While the EU is clearly not a superpower, it nonetheless ranks among the most influential global actors. It not only affects the lives of more than 450 million people living within its territory, but also has a significant impact on millions beyond its borders. How, then, can we study the European Union as a central organisation of Europe’s contemporary political order?

Are you aspiring to a career in international business or public administration with a focus on Europe and the European Union? If so, you are most welcome at EISS, where you will benefit from our long-standing expertise and engaging learning environment.

For more than 30 years, the University of Agder’s EISS has received national and international recognition for providing an exceptional learning experience. EISS offers students the opportunity to engage with leading scholars and experts in the field. In 2020, the UiA Department of Political Science and Management was awarded a prestigious Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence (JMCoE) by the European Commission, in recognition of its strong research and teaching profile in European Studies.

Since 2024, the summer school has been offered as a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in collaboration with the FORTHEM European University Alliance (of which UiA is a member), while remaining open to students from partner institutions of the University of Agder both within and beyond Europe.

In 2026, EISS will take place from 7–24 July on campus (with arrival the day before and departure the day after) in Kristiansand. In addition, there will be two compulsory online sessions – our digital campus – tentatively scheduled on 9 June, "Europe in the World: The New Geopolitics of the 21st Century" (11:00-13:00) and 22 June (11:00–13:00). Further details will be provided in due course.

See the EISS Study Guide 2026 (.pdf)

What will you gain?

In short, you will:

• Deepen your knowledge on a wide range of issues pertaining to European integration.
• Add an international dimension to your specific field of training (e.g. in law, public administration or economics).
• Engage with top scholars and experts in a very personal way.

If you aspire for a career in business or public administration and will be exposed to Europe and the European Union, then you are most certainly going to benefit from our Summer School.

 Course content 

Language of instruction: English.

Structure: The course History, Institutions and policies of European Intergration ST-419 is worth 10 ECTS credits. Course plan here 

Recommended previous courses:

Knowledge of EU politics at an introductory level is recommended, e.g., ST-202 European Union Politics (UiA).

Suggested reading for preparation:

• John McCormick, Understanding the European Union. A Concise Introduction (London and Basingstoke: Palgrave 2020)
• Michele Cini & Nieves Peréz-Solórzano Borragán (eds), European Union Politics (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2019).

Learning environment

The summer school has received national and international recognition as a program that provides an exceptionally good learning environment for students.

You will have the opportunity to interact with both Norwegian and international students, and the course maintains a high academic standard. This is achieved through the involvement of top researchers and renowned experts in the field of European integration.

The course includes both a digital and a physical component, with the main emphasis on face-to-face lectures and seminars at Campus Kristiansand. Additionally, social gatherings and excursions are organized, including a trip to Bragdøya and Preikestolen.

Many of our former students particularly highlight this unique combination of academic professionalism and social events as especially appealing.

Costs

This program is tuition-free.

It may be possible for you to receive a scholarship from your home university if your university is a member of the FORTHEM Alliance or has an Erasmus+ agreement with the University of Agder. Please check with the international office of your home university for more information.

Accommodation

Student housing is guaranteed for international students in dormitories run by the Student Welfare Association (SiA). High standard single room accommodation with a shared kitchen and bathroom is provided within walking distance of study locations.  

Student accommodation costs 5000 NOK. More housing information will be given after admission through your e-mail registered when applying, please note that payment must be made in advance to secure guaranteed housing.

The price includes cleaning, internet, electricity and caretaker services. You need to bring your own duvet, pillow and bed sheet, as well as kitchenware.  

Students must organise and pay for the trip to Kristiansand themselves.

However, Kristiansand located in the very south of Norway, is easy to reach by train/bus/plane from Oslo and by ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark. Several direct flights from Amsterdam to Kristiansand airport Kjevik are also possible.