Free of charge and no high school diploma required Studying at the European Academy of Labor

The eleven-month program at the European Academy of Labor (EAdA) at Frankfurt University is quite comprehensive: Participants not only receive training in labor and constitutional law, but also gain a solid foundation in economics, social policy, and the social sciences. They also learn to better understand and assess current conflicts within their European and global contexts.

In short: The EAdA provides a valuable foundation for professional or volunteer work in labor unions or other nonprofit organizations. The degree can also serve as a gateway to further academic studies—even without a high school diploma.

Target Audience

The EAdA program is aimed in particular at young employees who are active in labor unions and social causes. IG Metall recommends that students request a leave of absence from their employer for the duration of the program. This gives graduates the option to return to their company or even to their previous job afterward. However, the employer is not obligated to grant this leave: they may, but are not required to, grant it.

Program Structure

The full-time program lasts eleven months. The next cohort begins in October 2027 and ends in August 2028. Classes are typically held six days a week and are divided into three trimesters. There are two-week breaks during the Easter season and around Christmas and New Year’s.

Course content is taught in lectures and developed collaboratively through group work and intensive seminars. The program comprises a total of over 1,000 instructional hours and group work sessions. In addition, there are written assignments, exams, and field trips to reinforce the material. Tutors provide support throughout the program. All students have access to a subject-specific library as well as group work and recreational spaces.