“Working for the EU” often gets used as a catch-all phrase, but it actually covers two very different things.
There’s becoming an EU official through a formal competition process, and there’s building a career in EU affairs, working around EU institutions from a consultancy, an NGO, an agency, or a communications team, without necessarily going through an EPSO competition.
Both paths are real, and both are competitive, but before choosing either one, it helps to step back and look at the degree programs that actually prepare you for this kind of career. Below, we break down the roles, the degrees that fit best, and the different routes into an EU-related career.
What Types of Roles Exist in the European Union?
Before choosing a degree, it helps to see the full picture. “Working for the EU” isn’t one job; it’s a family of roles with very different entry points.
| Type of role | Where | What profile they usually look for |
|---|---|---|
| EU official / civil servant | European Commission, Parliament, Council, EEAS | University degree, strong analytical skills, multilingual profile, competitive selection process |
| Institutional traineeships | EU institutions and bodies | Requirements vary by program, typically final-year students or recent graduates, strong language skills, motivation and international awareness |
| Decentralised EU agencies | EUIPO, EBA, ECHA, ESA and other agencies | Technical or specialised profile depending on the agency, often direct recruitment |
| EU affairs consultancies and think tanks | Brussels, Madrid, Berlin, Paris | Political analysis, public affairs, communication, policy knowledge, English |
| NGOs and EU-funded projects | Spain and across Europe | Project management, cooperation, communication, languages |
| Institutional communication teams | EU institutions, agencies, national governments, consultancies | Media relations, content, campaigns, European affairs communication |
Beyond these six categories, there’s also a wider layer of opportunities: delegations representing the EU outside Europe, national and regional agencies working on EU-funded programs, and specialized units inside larger companies that manage EU regulatory affairs. The common thread is that many of these opportunities do not require going through a standard EPSO competition first.
What Should You Study to Work for the European Union?
There’s no single degree that guarantees a seat at the table, but some paths open far more doors than others depending on the type of role you’re aiming for.
| Degree | Why it fits EU careers | Possible career paths |
|---|---|---|
| International Studies / International Relations | European politics, diplomacy, international organizations, cooperation, global analysis and institutions | EU institutions, cooperation, diplomacy, international projects, NGOs, consulting |
| Law | EU law, regulation, treaties, compliance, public policy | Institutions, legal advisory, regulatory consulting, public affairs |
| Economics / Business Management | European markets, trade, funding, economic analysis, policy impact | Consulting, banking, organizations, economic analysis, European projects |
| Political Science | Institutions, public policy, governance, political systems | Public administration, policy analysis, think tanks, EU affairs |
| Communication / Journalism | Institutional communication, public campaigns, media relations, European content | EU communication, press, events, public affairs, institutional communication |
| Translation and Interpretation | Languages, legal/technical translation, institutional interpretation | Linguistic services, EU institutions, international organizations |
International Studies stands out because it treats European integration, diplomacy and multilateral cooperation as a single, connected subject rather than isolated topics. That’s exactly the lens most EU-related roles require, whether you end up doing policy analysis, working alongside a political analyst team, or moving into a role closer to public affairs.
Requirements to Work for EU Institutions
Requirements shift depending on the entry route, but a few conditions come up again and again:
- EU citizenship, generally required for permanent official positions through EPSO competitions.
- The required level of education, depending on the role (AD-level EPSO positions require a degree; some AST-level roles don’t).
- Knowledge of at least two official EU languages, at the levels required for the specific selection procedure.
- Strong analytical and reasoning skills, assessed through tests that may include verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning.
- Relevant experience or specialization, particularly for agencies, consultancies and EU-funded project roles, where recruitment is often direct rather than competition-based.
Ways to Start a Career in the European Union
There isn’t just one door into the European institutional world, and picking the right one can save you years of waiting. Here are three of the main routes, each with its own selection process and requirements.
EPSO Competitions
This is the classic route into a permanent EU civil service career. The European Personnel Selection Office runs the competitions that recruit staff for the European Parliament, Commission, Council and other institutions, through a multi-stage process that includes reasoning tests and a competency-based assessment. It’s a demanding process, and successful candidates are placed on a reserve list from which EU institutions recruit as vacancies arise, but it can lead to some of the most stable, well-defined careers within the EU system.
EU Traineeships
Most EU institutions and bodies run their own traineeship programs, typically lasting several months and paid, aimed primarily at university graduates and, in some programs, students nearing graduation. Traineeships are one of the fastest ways to get real, hands-on experience inside an institution, and they often become a stepping stone toward temporary or contract positions afterward. You can find current openings for EU institutions directly on the official EU careers portal.
EU Agencies, Consultancies and EU-Funded Projects
Not every EU-related job runs through Brussels or through EPSO. Decentralised agencies, such as the EUIPO based in Alicante, can run their own selection procedures for certain positions, without going through a standard EPSO competition. The same applies to public affairs consultancies, think tanks and NGOs managing EU-funded projects, where hiring depends far more on your background, languages and prior experience than on passing a formal exam.
How to Build Your Profile from University
If an EU-related career is your goal, the foundation you build during your degree matters just as much as the entry route you choose afterward. Three things make the biggest difference:
- A degree genuinely built around European and international politics. Touching on the EU as a topic within a broader syllabus isn’t the same as studying a program where institutions, cooperation, and diplomacy sit at the core of the curriculum.
- Studying entirely in English. English is widely used across most EU institutions and consultancies. Studying your degree in English from day one prepares you for that environment directly, rather than translating your knowledge later.
- Being close to an international, institutional context while you study. You don’t need to be in Brussels to build this kind of profile. Madrid hosts embassies from around the world, major multinational headquarters, and organizations working on EU-funded programs, giving you exposure to international affairs well before graduation.
At CIS University, our International Studies program is built around exactly this: a degree in Madrid focused on international relations, politics, and their impact on society, culture, and economics.
It’s taught 100% in English, with small class sizes that allow for a much more personalized, discussion-based learning experience, closer to how EU institutions themselves work through case analysis and policy debate.
Discover the International Studies degree at CIS University
No. EPSO competitions are the standard route into permanent civil service positions, but EPSO also manages selection procedures for certain contract staff roles. Traineeships, some agency roles, consultancies, and NGO project work all offer legitimate ways into an EU-related career without going through EPSO first.
Yes, and it is actually a well-established career path. Public affairs consultancies, think tanks, law firms with EU regulatory practices, and NGOs managing EU-funded projects all hire professionals who work closely with EU policy without being EU officials themselves.
Not at all. While Brussels remains the institutional center, cities like Madrid host a genuine international ecosystem — embassies, multinational headquarters, and organizations tied to European programs — that gives you exposure to EU affairs and diplomacy without requiring you to relocate during your studies.
English is highly valuable across EU-related careers. For EPSO competitions, candidates generally need knowledge of at least two official EU languages, while specific language requirements vary depending on the position.
Very much so. Beyond the hands-on experience, traineeships give you direct exposure to how an institution actually operates and help you build a network that often proves valuable for later roles, including EPSO applications, agency recruitment, or consultancy work related to UN work opportunities and other international organizations.
If you’re still comparing degree paths, our breakdown of Political Science and International Relations can help you decide which one fits your interests best. And if your focus is closer to the diplomatic side of international careers, we also cover what it takes to work at a Consulate in more detail.
Want to see the full curriculum, coursework in European politics and institutions, and internship opportunities within the International Studies program?
Explore the International Studies programs at CIS University