EU Staff 2105-PP-L-D3UUE
A career in EU institutions differs significantly from work in the national administration and the private sector. Its main distinguishing features are three interrelated elements:
1) the elitism resulting from working for an international organization,
2) very favourable employment conditions and job stability,
3) a high entry threshold.
Explaining these differences will provide students with context to better understand the main topics presented in the course:
1) the typology of EU institution staff (full-fledged officials represent only about two-thirds of all EU institution staff; contract, temporary, and other staff currently play a significant role);
2) job profiles within EU institutions, as well as duties, prohibitions, promotion system, disciplinary issues, etc.);
3) employment conditions in EU institutions, including remuneration, leave system, health insurance system, and pension;
4) the recruitment system for various categories of EU staff (substantially different for officials, contract, temporary, and other staff).
This knowledge will be supplemented by a separate lecture on 5-month paid internships in EU institutions, as these internships are often a key moment in deciding on a career path in the world of EU administration. A key part of the classes is the participation of invited guests – EU officials – as interactive discussions with them allow for the experience of specific individuals to illustrate all the topics mentioned above.
Some of the lectures may take place in the Representation of the European Commission in Poland.
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Term 2025Z: | Term 2024Z: | Term 2025L: |
Type of course
Mode
Term 2025Z: Remote learning | General: Classroom and field classes Classroom | Term 2024Z: Remote learning |
Learning outcomes
K_W03: The graduate has an advanced knowledge and understanding of the role of individuals at various levels in European institutions in shaping EU policies and the internal functioning of these institutions.
K_W05: The graduate has an advanced knowledge and understanding of the EU's administrative structure and the normative and functional-structural conditions for shaping this structure by EU authorities.
K_W11: The graduate has an advanced knowledge and understanding of the status of various categories of EU and Member State employees and the tasks associated with their job positions.
K_U01: Graduates can describe and interpret the relationships between political and administrative processes within EU institutions and their practical operation.
K_U05: Graduates can use the rules specific to EU institutions to ensure their proper operation in a given case.
K_U06: By utilizing skills acquired during education and professional internships, graduates can make choices that, if they are interested, will increase their chances of securing employment in EU institutions.
K_U10: Graduates can prepare oral presentations in Polish and English individually and in teams regarding the political and administrative sphere within EU institutions.
K_K01: Graduates are willing to recognize the importance of knowledge and enrich professional experience throughout their lives, in relation to employment in EU institutions.
K_K02: Responsibly fulfill professional roles and, if employed in an EU institution, cooperate in a multinational and complex group, while performing demanding tasks, while fully applying the ethical principles of work for an EU employee. EU
K_K04: Correctly identify and resolve dilemmas related to the performance of professional duties in EU institutions based on legal provisions and internal codes.
Assessment criteria
Attendance at lectures is mandatory (two unexcused absences are permitted).
The prerequisite for taking the EXAMINATION is passing the tutorials.
Passing the tutorials is contingent on meeting the following criteria:
1) Attendance: Two absences per semester are permitted (without asking for a reason). ANY ADDITIONAL ABSENCE, INCLUDING EXCUSED ABSENCES, REQUIRES ANSWER AT THE TEACHING OFFICE;
2) Ongoing preparation and active participation in classes, completion of assignments during classes;
3) Presentation and presentation of a paper to the class group based on recommended literature on a specific topic.
A grade of "Very Good" in the tutorials increases the exam grade by one grade, and a grade of "Good" by half a grade. An increase in the exam grade is only possible if the student has achieved the minimum score (51%) necessary to pass the exam.
The written exam is administered during the exam session. The exam covers topics discussed in the lecture.
The exam is a test with closed-ended, multiple-choice questions and open-ended, problem-solving questions.
The use of AI tools at Level 2 is acceptable during the exercises. (In recognition of the Faculty of Political Science and Management's Academic Council) IDEAS GENERATION AND STRUCTURE CREATION BY AI (AI can be used for brainstorming, structure creation, and generating ideas for improving the work, among other things. No AI-generated content may be included in the final version of the work).
Practical placement
They are not required, but students will be informed about the possibility of several weeks of internships at the EC Representation in Poland and five-month paid internships in EU institutions.
Bibliography
Source materials:
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:PL:PDF
European Code of Good Administrative Behavior, https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/pl/document/pl/3510
EPSO website, Employment opportunities, https://epso.europa.eu/job-opportunities_pl
Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, https://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/nabor-do-instytucji-ue
European Commission website, EU Staff, https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/figures/administration_pl
Database of documents on practical issues arising from the Staff Regulations of EU institutions, External resources | Generation 2004
Scientific publications:
R. Grzeszczak, "The Process of Europeanization of National Administration in the Condition of European Union Membership," "Rocznik Administracji Publicznej," 2/2016, pp. 272-290
E. Jurga-Wosik, "A Comparative Analysis of the Civil Service in Poland and in the Institutions of the European Union," "Środkowoeuropejskie Studia Polityczne" no. 2/2008
M. Witkowska, "The Importance of Poles in the Institutions and Bodies of the European Union, Including the Employment Assessment. Reflections after a Decade of Poland's Membership in the European Union," in: M. Witkowska (ed.), "The Assessment of Polish Membership in the European Union," Warsaw 2015, pp. 97-149.
J. Itrich-Drabarek, "Career Paths of Officials of the European Union and Poland," "Przegląd Europejski" 2008 | No. 1, pp. 40-53
O. Bar, "The Organization of the European Union Public Service in the Light of the Standards of Contemporary Administration," "Gdańsko-Łódź Annals of Labor Law and Social Law," 2011 | No. 1, pp. 119-134
A.-L. Högenauer, Ch. Neuhold, "From Advisor to Interparliamentary Networker: A Typology of Parliamentary Officials in EU Affairs 2025: From Advisor to Interparliamentary Networker: A Typology of Parliamentary Officials in EU Affairs | Review | Politics and Governance
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: