Apply now: CIVICA Honours Seminar for Masters students

Applications are open Wednesday 19th November until Sunday 30th November 2025. 

About the CIVICA Honours Seminars

CIVICA Honours Seminars are intensive 3 to 5 days learning experiences designed for Masters students of the CIVICA European University Alliance. The seminars aim to foster student engagement in addressing global issues leveraging upon interdisciplinary approaches, while strengthening and promoting common European values and further enhancing a shared sense of belonging through social/cultural activities.

Through seminar participation, students will gain a deep understanding of local, regional and global economic, social, political, cultural and institutional factors. They will be able to cooperate in international teams and consider cultural diversity as key to success. Students will also become confident, agile and reflective decision-makers and problem-solvers, able to formulate and apply innovative solutions to complex challenges and opportunities in their professional and civic life.

Please note before applying:

• These seminars are open to postgraduate (Masters) students only.
• You may only apply to one Honours Seminar.
• This is a competitive application process.
• There is no additional fee to participate in this seminar.
• Travel is required as these are in-person workshops (it is your responsibility to obtain any visas as may be necessary for you travel to a country within the European Union). These are in-person courses over one week and you must commit to participating in all activities in-person.
• Travel costs are covered by the participating institutions (Selected LSE students receive a £250.00 bursary to cover their travel costs).
• A certificate will be issued by the CIVICA Secretariat upon completion of the seminar.
• You will not receive credit on your LSE transcript for this seminar, but you will be issued a certificate. 

 CIVICA HONOURS SEMINARS FOR WINTER 2026

• 'Green Industrial policy in a Global Perspective', hosted by Bocconi University, Milan, Italy from 26th - 29th January 2026 
• 'Demographic Change and Policy Challanges', hosted by Hertie School, Berlin, Germany from 26th January - 29th January 2026
• 'Bridging Gaps, Building Equity: Gender, Diversity and Inclusion at Work', hosted by IE University, Madrid, Spain from 26th - 29th January 2026

For further information abut the CIVICA Honours Seminars, you can view CIVICA's main webpage here, or email civica@lse.ac.uk

 Apply Here 

 Further information on each Honours Seminar can be viewed below:

'Green Industrial policy in a Global Perspective', hosted by Bocconi University, Milan, Italy from 26th - 29th January 2026 

Why are countries increasingly turning to “industrial policy” as their primary strategy for transitioning from fossil fuels? This course examines the historical roots of industrial policies and how they have been translated into the contemporary policy architecture of a “green transition.” We explore key industrial sectors targeted by contemporary green industrial policies, such as semiconductors, electric vehicles and renewable energy. This Seminar is global in scope and examines cases of green industrial policy in both high-income countries, like the US and the European Union, and middle-income contexts, like China, India, Brazil and South Africa.

The CIVICA Honours Seminar—taking place over nine 1.5-hour lectures—will explore aspects of these deep transformations and help students develop informed arguments on their root causes and initial consequences. To apply the insights gained through the course, students need to form six groups of five and develop a presentation of 15-20 minutes delving deeper on a topic covered in class (followed by class discussion of 10-15 minutes). Each group will need to include at least one non-Bocconi student. Detailed instructions on the presentation will be provided at the beginning of the course. 

Required background

• No substantive requirements, but introductory courses on globalization, international political economy, economics and/or comparative politics will be helpful

Pre-requisites for participation

• Completion of limited pre-course reading material
• Collaboration with other students to process class readings and generate debate questions
• Active participation in class discussions, attendance in all lectures and side events, completion of the final collaborative assignment (presentation)

 'Demographic Change and Policy Challanges', hosted by Hertie School, Berlin, Germany from 26th January - 29th January 2026

Demographic ageing and population change is a pressing problem in a growing number of countries. This course introduces participants to core demographic theories, data, measures, and methods. Participants will be informed where to locate high quality demographic data. We will learn how to calculate and correctly interpret demographic indicators such as the fertility rate, the mortality rate, and measures that can be derived from migration statistics. Moreover, we will learn how to forecast populations (using the cohort-component model). There is also time devoted to debating policy-relevant themes. For example, is population decline a challenge for local and national governments? In light of climate change, should we worry about a further increase in world population? What would be appropriate policies to address the challenges that come with demographic ageing and population decline?. We will mainly use hands-on exercises to understand and practice the techniques. Excel will be used for the calculations. 

Main learning objectives 

• Introduction into demographic theories and concepts (including period/cohort approach, Lexis-diagram)
• Introduction to demographic methods and indicators (i.e., difference between tempo and quantum effects)
• Introduction into population forecasting (using the cohort-component model)

Required background/pre-requisites for participation

• Excel proficiency is required
• Each student is expected to bring his/her own laptop equipped with Excel and the main Microsoft Office programs (word and power point)
• As this course is part of the Executive Master Programme of Public Administration (EMPA), Hertie School favors students with previous work or internship experience

'Bridging Gaps, Building Equity: Gender, Diversity and Inclusion at Work', hosted by IE University, Madrid, Spain from 26th - 29th January 2026

This seminar explores the intersections of gender, diversity, and inclusion, highlighting how these dimensions shape workplace culture, leadership, and social equity. Participants will examine structural barriers, unconscious bias, and the benefits of inclusive practices across organizations and communities. Through case studies and interactive discussions, the seminar emphasizes intersectionality as a lens to understand overlapping identities and experiences. The goal is to equip participants with strategies that not only foster equity but also strengthen innovation, collaboration, and resilience in diverse environments. 

Required background/pre-requisites for participation

• Foundational knowledge in social sciences (sociology, political science, psychology, or management) to understand concepts of identity, inequality, and organizational behaviour.
• Critical thinking and openness to dialogue, since the seminar requires reflection on personal perspectives and societal structures.
• Willingness to engage respectfully in discussions about sensitive and sometimes contested issues.