In the European Political and Governance Studies Programme’s award-winning four-week "SimGame", students participate in realistic multilateral negotiations that simulate decision-making processes within and between EU institutions. Through role-playing, they explore the interactions which occur within and between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union during the process of drawing up EU legislation under the ordinary legislative procedure.

Students gain formal knowledge of the processes and techniques of negotiation and decision-making in the EU. In addition, they learn how other factors can affect outcomes, including time pressure, informal discussions that take place on the margins, and personalities.

Would you like to know more on how our SimGame was created and developed over the years? You can read here a note on “The Making of the Simulation Game” by Pierpaolo SETTEMBRI*, Jon WORTH &  Costanza HERMANIN.

* Pierpaolo SETTEMBRI is an official of the European Commission. He writes in a personal capacity.

Closing Conference for the 2025/2026 edition

This course received the 2016 PADEMIA Award for Parliamentary Democracy in Europe in recognition of excellence in teaching. PADEMIA is a pan-European network comprising 56 academic institutions from 31 countries, promoting research and teaching in the rapidly developing field of European parliamentary democracy.

Everything I learned and experienced at the POL Department has prepared me to face a future career either in Brussels or in any other public/private institution dealing with the EU. - Piergiorgio Stefanucci (Promotion Chopin)