Masters degrees in European Studies look at the history, politics, culture and law of Europe and the institutions of the European Union. Programmes usually take an interdisciplinary approach to the subject, sometimes in combination with the study of a modern European language.
Postgraduate specialisms and related subject areas include International Relations, Economics, Geography and Sociology. Entry requirements typically involve an undergraduate degree in History or a social science.
The Master in Advanced European and International Studies - European integration and global studies provides an overarching and extensive view of the political, social, economic and cultural issues of the present times. Its encompassing teaching method at the crossroads of theory and practice helps the students to gain thorough academic expertise in European affairs as well as a first hand-insight into the work as a Policy Officer at a European institution or international organisation. With its leitmotiv "Learning and living Europe", the programme follows an original approach that distinguishes it from other Master's courses in European Studies and International Relations: the European integration and global studies programme is taught in English and takes place in three different study locations: Berlin, Nice, Rome or Istanbul. After two common terms, the participants have the possibility to chose between two options for the spring term: they can opt to finish their studies either in Rome or in Istanbul.
The academic year starts in Berlin (from October to December), it encompasses classes on the basics of all the four modules (Conflict and cooperation in the international system, European integration and external action; Federalism and multi-level governance; Globalisation and sustainable development), completed by the seminar « Project cycle management », the core part of the fifth module "Professional Skills Workshops".
In Nice, teaching focuses on the current international order, examining the reasons for conflict and the perspectives for cooperation. Lectures explore Europe's policies in diverse fields (trade, democracy promotion, conflict resolution, climate change, development aid) to explain how important a role the EU plays on the international stage.
At the same time, the programme looks into the current challenges the European integration project is facing (euroscepticism, the challenges of economic governance, Brexit, refugee crisis). During this term, students take their mid-term exams.
A one-week study trip takes the students to European and international institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg. Visits to the European Council, the European Commission and NATO are highlights of the stay in Brussels, whereas Strasbourg hosts not only the headquarters of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rignts, but also the plenary sessions of the European Parliament.
According to their choice, students will do their third trimester either in Rome or in Istanbul.
In Rome, special focus is given to the Mediterranean region and Africa with particular emphasis on the issues of migration, poverty and food security. Students will visit relevant UN institutions.
In Istanbul, students study the changing EU-Turkey relations and focus on area studies of the Black Sea region, the Caucasus including ENP, and Central Asia.
During the third term, students have the opportunity to advance in their research work, as they are free of obligations from mid-May to mid-June to work on their thesis. The programme concludes with the defence of the thesis and oral exams. With their graduation, students become part of CIFE’s worldwide Alumni network.
A theoretically grounded approach to revisit the continuities and changes of international relations. Following a theoretical introduction into the grand schools of thought of international relations theory, we will approach the interdisciplinary field of conflict and violence studies. From its very beginning, understanding and explaining questions of war and peace has been at the heart of 'International Relations' as an academic discipline. A special focus will be given to inter-group violence and inter-state conflicts in both the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe: from the Western Balkans to Cyprus, from Israel to Palestine, from Ukraine to Syria.
This module aims at familiarising the students, who could well become the next generation of European and international decision-makers, with an expert knowledge of the structures, institutions, and problems of the European Union.We focus firstly on the historical development of European integration and then go on to analyse the Union’s institutions and study the basics of EU law. The last part of the program is devoted to the different policies of the EU and especially emphasises the challenges of enlargement.
For the last fifteen years, federalism has known a revival as an international field of studies. In this framework, three major developments can be considered. The first is the study of the European Union, not analysed any more as a process of integration but in terms of federal institutional comparative approach. The second development is multi-level governance, that can be conceived as an extension of federalism as it deals with any form of multi-tier institutional system. This cooperative/competitive approach has appeared to understand the institutional consequences of the process of globalisation in post-industrialised societies, and of the subsequent changing of nature of sovereignty in the relevant states. Eventually, federalism has become a tool of conflict resolution, in order to resolve violent conflicts all over the world.
The module puts a specific focus on the role of the EU as an economic actor on the global stage, with its opportunities and challenges driven both by European specific evolutions and globalisation trends. Finally, the module proposes an introduction to global sustainable development issues (climate change, access to water, etc.), as they are among the most decisive challenges that will shape the future of the world economy.
This module equips the participants with the professional skills and competences that will enable them to work in the context of the European and international organisations. They will take actively part in several simulation games and follow workshops on project cycle management, intercultural management, as well as on mediation and negotiation.
Application deadline is 30 June of the current year.
This interdisciplinary MA promotes the understanding of Europe in its political, social and philosophical dimensions. Choosing specialisms within European thought, society, history and politics you will develop discipline-specific skills and regional expertise, while the interdisciplinary programme structure encourages thinking across boundaries, gaining an expansive overview of the continent.
The Modern European Studies pathway focuses on the emergence of modern Europe, the political implications of integration, and its transition from competing nation states and forms of governance to an expanding political and economic union. Students take complementary optional modules, which may be national, regional, or European in scope.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Two pathways are offered: Taught and Research.
The Taught pathway consists of two core modules (60 credits), four optional inter-faculty modules (60 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits). The Research pathway consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional inter-faculty modules (30 credits), and a dissertation (90 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma, two core modules (60 credits), four inter-faculty optional modules (60 credits), full-time nine months or part-time two years) is offered.
Core modules
Optional modules
Students on the Taught pathway take four, and students on the Research pathway take two of the following inter-faculty optional modules
Dissertation/report
All MA students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of approximately 12,000 words, or 18,000 words for the Research pathway.
Teaching and learning
Key aspects of European theory and culture are taught through participation in lectures and seminars. Through feedback sessions on presentations and essays, students are encouraged to reflect on, and improve, their own work. Assessment is through a combination of coursework essays, unseen written examinations, and the dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: European Studies: Modern European Studies MA
MPhil and PhD degrees often follow on from a Master's programme; both the Taught and Research pathways of the MAs offered by the Centre for Multidisciplinary & Intercultural Inquiry (CMII) are intended to allow this type of progression, as well as standing as degrees in their own right. Outside academia, potential careers may include politics, business, commerce, teaching, public relations, or journalism.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
Graduates of this MA have used their extensive knowledge and understanding of European institutions, policies and society to obtain positions within the European Union. The high level of interdisciplinary training and research skills offered by the programme have equipped others for positions as researchers in UK and European universities, museums and non-governmental agencies. The emphasis on written and verbal communication, collation and presentation of research and analysis have provided transferable skills for the fields of accountancy, law and PR.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The Centre for Multidisciplinary & Intercultural Inquiry (CMII) at UCL is unique in offering graduate students the opportunity to investigate Europe in its entirety, from European integration and public policy to European cinema and poetry.
The central London location offers easy access to the British Library, British Museum, Institute of Germanic and Romance Studies, German Historical Institute, Goethe Institut, Institut Français, and other similar research and cultural centres.
Less than three hours away from Brussels and Paris, and with such a wide range of resources, this is a highly favourable location for the study of Europe.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
This interdisciplinary MA promotes the understanding of Europe in its political, social and philosophical dimensions. Choosing specialisms within European thought, society, history and politics you will develop discipline-specific skills and regional expertise, while the interdisciplinary programme structure encourages you to think across boundaries, gaining an expansive overview of the continent.
The European Society pathway aims to provide a solid theoretical grounding and encourage students to look at different types of historical and social-scientific inquiry. It offers the opportunity to experiment with new ways of integrating the interpretation of literary texts, art and film in their study of history and society.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Two pathways are offered: Taught and Research.
The Taught pathway consists of three core modules (90 credits), two optional inter-faculty modules (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits). The Research pathway consists of six optional inter-faculty modules (90 credits) and a dissertation (90 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma, three core modules (90 credits), two optional inter-faculty modules (30 credits), full-time nine months or part-time two years, is offered.
Core modules
Students on the Taught pathway take the following core modules:
Optional modules
Students on the Taught pathway take two, and students on the Research pathway take six of the following optional inter-faculty modules:
Dissertation/report
All MA students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of approximately 12,000 words, or 18,000 words for the Research pathway.
Teaching and learning
Key aspects of European theory and culture are taught through participation in lectures and seminars. Through feedback sessions on presentations and essays, students are encouraged to reflect on, and improve, their own work. Assessment is through a combination of coursework essays, unseen written examinations, and the dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: European Studies: European Society MA
MPhil and PhD degrees often follow on from a Master's programme; both the Taught and Research pathways of the MAs offered by the Centre for Multidisciplinary & Intercultural Inquiry (CMII) are intended to allow this type of progression, as well as standing as degrees in their own right. Outside academia, potential careers may include politics, business, commerce, teaching, public relations, or journalism.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
Graduates of this MA have used their extensive knowledge and understanding of European institutions, policies and society to obtain positions within the European Union. The high level of interdisciplinary training and research skills offered by the programme have equipped others for positions as researchers in UK and European universities, museums and non-governmental agencies. The emphasis on written and verbal communication, and collation and presentation of research and analysis has provided transferable skills for the fields of accountancy, law and PR.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The Centre for Multidisciplinary & Intercultural Inquiry (CMII) at UCL is unique in offering graduate students the opportunity to investigate Europe in its entirety, from European integration and public policy to European cinema and poetry.
The central London location offers easy access to the British Library, British Museum, Institute of Germanic and Romance Studies, German Historical Institute, Goethe Institut, Institut Français, and other similar research and cultural centres.
Less than three hours away from Brussels and Paris, and with such a wide range of resources, this is a highly favourable location for the study of Europe.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
The Master in Advanced European and International Studies - Trilingual studies (MAEIS) provides an overarching and extensive view of the political, social, economic and cultural issues of the global world. The MAEIS is an international, interdisciplinary and itinerant programme which aims to educate the next generation of European decision-makers. Its encompassing teaching method at the crossroads of theory and practice helps the students to gain thorough academic expertise in European affairs as well as a firsthand-insight into the work as a Policy Officer at a European institution or international organisation. With its leitmotiv "Learning and living Europe", the programme follows an original approach that distinguishes it from other Master's courses in European Studies and International Relations: the trilingual studies programme is taught in English, French and German and takes place in three different study locations: Nice, Canterbury and Berlin. At the end of the programme, students can opt to do a professional internship (3 to 6 months).
The programme starts in Nice, France.
The first term encompasses introductory classes to all of the five modules (International Relations, European Integration, Economy and Globalisation, Federalism and Governance, and Professional Skills), completed by international conferences and seminars dealing with current world politics events. This term is concluded by a mid-term exam and a three-day-simulation.
The second term takes place in Canterbury, UK, in co-operation with the University of Kent.
During this term, students choose three courses among the curriculum proposed by the School of Politics and International Relations of the University, in line with their specialisation. At the end of the term, students write an essay for each of the three courses.
A one-week study trip to the European and international organisations in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg is organised during the second or third term.
During the third term in Berlin, Germany the programme aims at deepening the students' knowledge of European integration and contemporary problems in international relations, through several thematic workshops.
Our partner in Berlin, the Institut für Europäische Politik provides a dialogue with European integration experts and offers an insight into political life in Berlin. Students have the opportunity to advance in their research work, as they are free of obligations from mid-May to mid-June to work on their thesis. The programme concludes with the defence of the thesis and oral exams. With their graduation, students become part of CIFE’s worldwide Alumni network. The Master programme is credited with 60 ECTS.
Subsequently, students who have taken this option, will do an internship of three to six months. The internship can be accomplished in a European institution, an international organisation, national diplomacy, consultancies, non-governmental organisations or research institutes. At the end of the internship, students submit a substantial internship report, which is assessed by a board of examiners. Internship and internship report are credited with supplementary 30 ECTS.
International Relations
Complex interdependency, dynamic power figurations and imbalances characterise today's world politics, an arena that is influenced by diverse actors in multi-level processes. Since its establishment in the early 20th century, the academic discipline of International Relations (IR) has been shaped by different schools of thought. We will explore the major theories that draft a comprehensive or holistic explanation of international politics, in order both to identify presuppositions in public debates and to apply those theoretical tools to academic analysis.
European Integration
At the beginning of the new millennium, the European Union can look back at considerable achievements such as the completion of the monetary union. On the other hand, the EU remains confronted with greater challenges: new member states need to be fully integrated, the EU institutions must be reformed, a common identity for foreign and security politics must be reinforced, the acceptance of the EU amongst its Member States' populations needs to be strengthened.
Federalism and Governance
For the last fifteen years, federalism has known a revival as an international field of studies. Three major developments can be considered. The first is the study of the EU, not analysed any more as a process of integration but in terms of federal institutional comparative approach. The second development is multi-level governance, that can be conceived as an extension of federalism as it deals with any form of multi-tier institutional system. This cooperative/competitive approach has appeared to understand the institutional consequences of the process of globalisation in post-industrialised societies, and of the subsequent changing of nature of sovereignty in the relevant states. Eventually, federalism has become a tool of conflict resolution.
Economy and Globalisation
This course aims at giving an overview of the forces that drive world trade. International economics analyses the exchanges of goods, services and capitals between countries. It also analyses the conditions under which these exchanges take place. If the rule of free trade appears to have priority, in actuality, many countries resort to protectionism, in spite of WTO rules. Globalisation is at the heart of the concerns (or fears) of various players, such as political leaders, unions, businesses, households, civil society, etc. Are we witnessing the shifting of the world's centre in favour of South and East Asia?
Professional Skills Workshops
This module equips the participants with the professional skills and competences that will enable them to work in the context of the European and international organisations. They will take actively part in several simulation games and follow workshops on project cycle management, intercultural management, as well as on mediation and negotiation.
Candidates can submit their application dossier via online form. They should also include all the relevant documents, or send them by post or email. An academic committee meets regularly in order to review complete applications.
A limited number of scholarship funds can be awarded to particularly qualified candidates to cover some of the costs related to studies or accommodation. The application deadline is 15 June of the current year.
The Haifa Center for German and European Studies (HCGES) is a joint venture of the University of Haifa and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD – Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst). HCGES was founded in 2007 with the goal of exposing students, researchers, and the community at large to a rich spectrum of topics related to modern Europe, and Germany in particular, since 1945.
The international Master of Arts program in German and European Studies at the University of Haifa is being launched as part of the teaching activities of the HCGES. The MA program is designed to acquaint students with topics related to Germany and Europe, highlighting Jewish and Israeli perspectives as well as the relationship between the Middle East and Europe. The program is interdisciplinary and allows students to approach German and European studies from a variety of angles while providing students with the opportunity to engage with other departments for a well-rounded education.
The MA program in German and European Studies aims to deepen students’ knowledge of Germany, Europe, and the European Union. The program is structured using the “area studies” model and offers a challenging and unique interdisciplinary curriculum that combines many fields of study including economics, law, political science, geography, environmental studies, sociology, history and literature. In addition to the core curriculum, students in the program acquire a strong command of the German language by studying 4-8 language hours per week. The program is available in two tracks: a thesis track and a non-thesis track. Students have the option to complete the program in one or two calendar years.
The program also includes an optional, though highly recommended, study tour to Germany and other European countries. The study tour is built around a chosen theme which changes every year. During the study tour, students visit EU institutions as well as other sites relevant to their studies. The cost of the study tour is not included in the program tuition.
For full curriculum please visit here.
Graduates of the program will be well placed to pursue career paths in cultural institutions, Europe-related NGOs, museums, galleries and places of learning, as well as other points of contact between Israeli and European countries.
Required Courses
Elective Courses (the list changes every academic year)
For more details on the current program curriculum, please visit here.
The Haifa Centre for German and European Studies is directed by Professor Eli Salzberger and includes staff with a number of subject-related area specializations. Also at the faculty is Winfried Schumacher who is our German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) lecturer at University of Haifa. He teaches language and additional culture and media courses at the Center for German and European Studies. He is also responsible for consulting students and researchers for the DAAD in Haifa and at the Goethe Institut in Tel Aviv.
For the full list of faculty staff please click here.
The program offers 15 DAAD scholarships annually, which covers tuition fees (around 14.000 NIS for the two years track and 27.000 NIS for the one year track). To obtain more information on DAAD scholarships and on how to apply, please click here. You can also visit the HCGES website for more information on scholarships.
This program is now eligible for Masa scholarship. For more scholarship information please visit the International school's Scholarships page.
Understanding Europe today requires much more than understanding the process of European integration. The tensions, challenges and possibilities that are manifesting themselves today have their roots in a longer political, social and cultural history.
This programme takes you to these roots. A multidisciplinary study path introduces you to various aspects of European society, culture and politics. Along the way, it draws from the strengths of Nordic research on Europe, with its strong focus on regional cooperation, diversity, identities, institutions, culture and the politics of history and memory. You will get to know the Nordic countries from a European perspective and Europe from a Nordic perspective.
Studying the ways in which Europeans cooperate, how European states and societies are interconnected, and how they are governed, forms an important part of the programme. Besides looking at the processes of integration and the evolution and functioning of the European Union, the programme highlights the significance of regional cooperation in the Nordic context, the EU’s relations with its neighbours and its place in the global system.
At the end of your studies, you will have gained a broad understanding of European issues and acquired advanced research skills. You will be ready to work in a wide range of expert positions that require independent and creative thinking, in both the public and private sectors.
The programme consists of joint courses and specialisation studies. One of the available options is to specialise in Nordic Studies. ENS is the only Nordic Studies programme taught in English in the Nordic countries.
The Master's Programme in European and Nordic Studies is offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Arts.
Further information about the studies on the Master's programme website: http://www.helsinki.fi/en/programmes/master/european-and-nordic-studies
The programme consists of a multidisciplinary selection of courses that introduce you to various aspects of Europe, the Nordic countries, and the Baltic Sea Region.
The topics addressed in the joint courses include, for example, contemporary European politics, cooperation and conflict in European history, Nordic societies and cultures, and institutions, ideologies and identities in Europe. You will also learn about nations and nationalism, political and social protest, (Nordic) welfare models, the European Union and Nordic cooperation, European legal traditions, and the politics of memory.
The programme involves substantial interaction between you and your teachers. You will complete several writing assignments and research papers along the way, culminating in a Master’s thesis in your second year. Some courses use active learning or flipped classroom pedagogy.
The content of your studies also depends on your own choices. In addition to core courses that provide you with a deep multidisciplinary understanding of Europe, the degree includes specialisation studies of your own choosing.
If you specialise in Nordic studies, you will have access to some courses taught at the programme for Nordic Literature and the Kultur och Kommunikation Master’s programme.
You also have plenty of other options. The University of Helsinki is a large research university. As a student in ENS you will have access to a rich variety of specialised courses in many faculties and schools. Check the section on research focus to see what we are particularly good at in Helsinki.
This interdisciplinary programme engages students to study Europe both as a transnational community and as an actor in a globalised world. The programme offers insight and knowledge about the nature and functioning of Europe both in the contemporary world and in a historical perspective. Interaction with staff members from various disciplines and faculties (Social Sciences, Arts, Law, Economics, and Theology) exposes students to a wide range of theoretical approaches and allows them to acquire the necessary methodological skills. The programme strongly emphasises the need to engage in a critical debate about the challenges that confront Europe with respect to its internal, diversified identities and its interaction with other actors in the world.
The programme consists of five interdisciplinary modules. You choose four courses from one particular module.
In addition, you will be asked to select two courses from the list of electives. Finally, all students take the course 'Transnational and Global Perspectives on Europe' and write a master's thesis.
This initial master's programme can only be followed on a full-time basis. All courses are taught during the day and for most courses your attendance is required. It is therefore not possible to combine a job with this demanding programme.
The multidisciplinary ‘Master of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives’ engages students to study Europe as a continent of strong interactions across national boundaries and constant exchanges with the outside world. By choosing one of the five modules, students focus on
The multidisciplinary and research-based education enables students to acquire skills to understand, contextualize and assess complex challenges that transcend disciplinary boundaries as well as national and regional borders. It allows students to engage in a critical debate about Europe within a context of complex internal and external dynamics, and formulate alternative options. Interaction with staff members of various disciplines and faculties exposes students to a wide range of academic approaches in the study of Europe. Supervision by individual staff members, particularly in the context of their master thesis, provides students with focus and guidance for their own research.
MAES graduates are equipped with in-depth knowledge of various aspects of European politics, law, history and culture, are schooled in various research methodologies, and are able to communicate their findings to a diverse audience. MAES graduates are thus well positioned for a wide range of professional pursuits.
Many alumni work for European institutions and interest groups, provide advice on European affairs to national, regional or local administrations and governments, or work as European affairs officers for private companies and non-governmental organisations. Others are engaged in national and multinational diplomacy.
Many hold academic positions in European politics, economy, history and culture at universities all over the world. Still other alumni inform the public about European affairs as journalists and cultural officers.
Having delivered its first graduates 20 years ago, MAES counts many prominent figures in European affairs among its alumni. Many of them attribute their MA degree in European Studies as a decisive factor in their career success.
Our European Studies MA course will give you a detailed understanding of contemporary European politics, history and society. It draws on the expertise of five highly ranked departments and the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence. You may also take either a French or German pathway, which offer you the opportunity to complete a master’s degree within a year while studying modules abroad.
Through this course, we offer you an in-depth analysis of major scholarly debates in history, politics, political thought, political economy and international relations, both within and beyond the European Union. You will study a range of approaches to the topic on one of the two required modules and then choose from a wide range of specialist modules covering specific regions or issues relating to contemporary Europe, such as EU foreign policy, immigration, economic governance, law, political economy, lobbying and policy making, nationalism and the EU, Russia, the EU and Asia.
If you choose the General Pathway, you will spend your whole time with us. If you choose either the French or German Pathway, you will spend your second semester at either the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) in Paris or the
Humboldt Universität in Berlin. Both institutions provide a wide range of modules allowing you to further deepen your knowledge of both European and host country institutions, politics and policies.
The course is ideally suited for anyone with a degree in European Studies, politics, international relations or international political economy. We also welcome recent graduates from other disciplines in the humanities, the social sciences and law, as well as those from a professional background.
The programme is ideally suited to anyone with a degree in European Studies, politics, international relations or international political economy. We also welcome recent graduates from other disciplines in the humanities, the social sciences and law, as well as those from a professional background.
Teaching
You will have regular contact with our staff, who are world-leading experts in their fields, through lectures, seminars and supervision.
You will have six hours per week of teaching per 10-week term, as well as 34 hours of self-study per week.
If you are studying the part-time course, you will typically have two to four hours per week of lectures, seminars and feedback.
Six hours of dissertation supervision. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
You are assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. The majority of European and International Studies modules are assessed by a 4,000-word essay, other optional modules may differ. The dissertation module is assessed by a 10,000 word essay.
Doctoral research at King’s or other prestigious universities; employment in government, European Union institutions, international organisations, business and the media.
The Master in Advanced European and International Studies - Mediterranean studies (MAEIS) provides an overarching and extensive view of the political, social, economic and cultural issues of the globalised world. The MAEIS is an international, interdisciplinary and itinerant programme which aims to educate the next generation of Euro-Mediterranean decision-makers. Following the slogan "Learning and living the Mediterranean", the participants rotate each trimester, moving their place of studies from Nice to Tunis and then Istanbul including a workshop in Rome. The programme is structured into three terms and is taught in English and French.
The first term (October to January) starts in the European Union, in Nice, France. It encompasses classes on the basics of the five modules (Conflict Management and Peace Making, Sustainable Development and Globalisation, Regional Integration and Transformation, Mediterranean Politics and Societies as well as Professional Skills Workshops). Studying in France helps the students to analyse the Mediterranean region and Euro-Mediterranean relations from an EU perspective. Courses will introduce to the institutional architecture of the EU and its neighbourhood policy. They will also discuss the shared risks of populism, terrorism and climate change. Mid-term exams will take place in December. The trimester concludes with a simulation exercise.
The second term (January to April) starts off in Tunis, Tunisia. Our partner, the Université Internationale de Tunis, is famous for its integration of international students in Tunisia. Thanks to our partner, the Institut de Recherche sur le Maghreb Contemporain (IRMC), students will have access to the expertise and the library of one of the most renowned think tanks in the Maghreb. Researchers from the region will analyse transformation processes in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean in times of globalisation. Studying in Tunisia will provide the students with a unique experience of a historic democratisation process that turns the nobelpeace-prize winning country into a role model throughout the MENA region. For non-Arab speakers an Arab language course is compulsory.
A study trip to Rome will take place during the 2nd or the 3rd term. Here, a special focus will be given to Foreign Policy Analysis (EU, Russia, US, Iran), as well as migration, poverty and food security, including visits of relevant UN institutions and conférences at our Partner, the renowned think tank, Istituto Affari INternazionali (IAI).
The programme concludes in Istanbul, Turkey (April to July) where the courses are organised in cooperation with our long-term partner, the Istanbul Bilgi University. Courses will deal with the changing EU-Turkey relations. Students will have the opportunity to advance in their research work, as they are free of obligations from mid-May to mid-June to work on their thesis. The programme concludes with the defence of the thesis and oral exams. With their graduation on the Bosphorus, students become part of CIFE’s worldwide Alumni network.
The Mediterranean is a case study par excellence for Peace and Conflict Studies. Understanding and explaining questions of war and peace has been at the heart of „International Relations“ as an academic discipline – from its very beginning, after the First World War. In the last two decades Mediterranean societies have been significantly affected by inter-group violence and inter-state conflicts: from the Western Balkans to Cyprus, from Israel to Palestine, from Syria to Lybia. Mediterranean conflicts are partly characterised by external interventions. The module will focus at causes and dynamics of escalation and de-escalation, including international law and peace-making in a multiperspective approach. Theories on violence and peace will help to analyse the case studies proposed.
The Mediterranean in the 21st century faces unprecedented economic, environmental and social challenges. As economic development exercises increased pressure on limited resources, deteriorates the environment and creates growing inequalities, Mediterranean economies struggle to find their way through these challenges. An introduction into economics as an academic discipline will set the ground for a regional analysis of sustainable development, energy policies, climate action and demographic dynamics.
The European Union became a model of regional integration. Nation states agreed to transform their sovereignity into a multi-level governance system sui generis to keep regional peace, increase welfare and economic power. How is the dynamic architecture of European institutions functioning – in times of both Europeanisation and Euroscepticism? And to what extent are the Arab League or the Union for the Mediterranean comparable models of regional integration?
Regional integration is primarily an elite-driven, government-sponsored transformation process. However, socio-economic and political change can be triggered by civil society and social movements, as the „Arab Spring“ has shown transregionally in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Change and continuity differ significantly in the MENA-region. Why? And which repercussions for the Union for the Mediterranean?
Mediterranean Politics are shaped by an interplay of different policy fields and policy actors. Theories of International Relations (i.e. Foreign Policy Analysis, Migration Theories) will help to understand the dynamics of policy making towards and in the Mediterranean region. Migration constitutes a challenging and complex policy field throughout the Mediterranean.
In a second part of this module we will approach Mediterranean societies with a generational focus upon „youth“. The current number of youth in the Mediterranean is unprecedented. Meanwhile, youth unemployment is a phenomenon that nearly all Mediterranean societies have in common. At the crossroads of theory and practice this module will identify solutions to the challenges the young generation faces in the Mediterranean.
The participants will take part in negotiation and mediation trainings, simulation games and follow career workshops as well as workshops on project cycle management and intercultural communication.
Candidates can submit their application via the online application form. They should also include all the relevant documents, or send them by e-mail. An academic committee meets regularly in order to review complete applications.
A limited number of scholarships can be awarded to particularly qualified candidates. There are different funds available for this programme.
The application deadline is 30 June of the current year
How can we understand the EU’s response to the financial crisis or to the confrontation between Ukraine and Russia? How do we account for the EU’s reaction to the refugee crisis provoked by conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa? What is Europe’s peacekeeping role and capacity? The master's programme in European Studies trains you to answer these complex questions. Because you cannot study Europe from just one angle, the programme examines global developments and multi-level governance in a broader context, combining political science, history, international relations, economics and cultural studies. This student-centred, interdisciplinary programme is among the largest, and certainly the most international, in Europe and has an excellent reputation. You will study the internal and external dimensions of European policy, governance and administration. The focus is on the underlying issues of power and influence, governance and culture within the European milieu and between Europe and the wider world.
Why this programme?
The Master of Arts in European Studies focuses on the international dimensions of policy, governance and administration. The programme looks beyond the institutions of the European Union and the mechanics of European integration to examine global developments and multi-level governance in a broader context. The programme employs an interdisciplinary approach, combining political science, history, international relations, economics and cultural studies. The focus is on the underlying issues of power and influence, governance and culture.
The programme offers three specialisations:
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study European Cultures at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The MA by Research in European Cultures is designed primarily for students wishing to pursue comparative projects in literary and / or film studies. As a department we are strong in Memory Studies, Women’s Writing and Feminism, the theory and practice of translation, politics and culture in the twentieth century and we welcome enquiries in these and other areas. We expect to advise applicants for the European Cultures research programme on their choice of topic in advance of application, however, and to work further on this choice in the course of the first term.
The MA by Research in European Cultures is ideal for those who want:
- an MA qualification in niche areas where taught programmes are not offered;
-the experience of a research degree without committing to a PhD, while retaining the option to upgrade to MPhil or PhD.
As a student of the MA by Research in European Cultures, you attend a series of training courses and have regular supervisions while you are reading around your topic and / or collecting your data and materials in European Cultures. You will write a 5000-word introductory essay in the first term and have designed an outline and sketched a synopsis by this stage. As par the of the European Cultures research programme you will agree a series of milestones and deadlines with your experienced supervisory team who will accompany you each step of the way on your research journey.
Research proposals in European Cultures are invited on any topic for which staff can provide supervision. It is advisable to email a member of academic staff in the appropriate area in European Cultures before applying.
For informal enquiries regarding the European Cultures research programme please contact Professor Julian Preece ([email protected]).
An MA by Research in European Cultures gives you the chance to pursue a project based around your own passions and interests, leading to a qualification which can open the door to an academic career or boost employment prospects outside academia (typically in the private sector, the Civil Service, or education).
We have expertise in French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish and offer joint supervision where appropriate with American Studies, English Literature, History, Welsh or Media Studies. Knowledge of one of the above European languages is not essential, but it is never too late to begin to acquire language skills and this is highly encouraged. All students of the European Cultures research programme have two supervisors whose expertise lies in different areas, which fosters a spirit of interdisciplinary research. Projects with a focus in the Romance languages (French, Italian, Spanish) may qualify for a full-fee Maney Bursary.
All research students including those of the European Cultures research programme are required to attend skills and training courses at College and Institutional level. They give presentations to other research students and staff at departmental seminars and the annual departmental postgraduate symposium in June and the College of Arts and Humanities conference in October. Advanced research students may have opportunities to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars. You have a budget (currently £200 per year) to attend conferences outside Swansea.
MA by Research in European Cultures degrees typically last from one year (full-time study) to two years (part-time study).
The Central and South-East European Studies MA is a multidisciplinary programme that enables students to gain specialist knowledge and understanding of the complex culture, history, literature, politics and society of the region from Western Bohemia to Wallachia and from Mazuria to Macedonia.
Students develop an advanced knowledge of central and south-eastern Europe from a multidisciplinary perspective, focusing on aspects of history, politics and culture. They develop generic research skills, interdisciplinary and discipline-specific research skills, area specific research skills and language skills oriented towards carrying out research in the region.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of a choice of one of three compulsory modules (30 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits). 90 credits can then be selected from a range of options across SSEES.
Core modules
This is a multidisciplinary programme. Nevertheless, students are required to gain a thorough methodological and theoretical grounding in disciplinary study and hence must choose one of the following three:
Optional modules
Total of 90 credits from options below. Subject to approval, optional modules up to the value of 30 credits may be taken from another SSEES MA programme or from another MA programme within UCL (Anthropology, History, European Studies, Comparative Literature etc.).
Dissertation/report
All MA students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions and workshops. Students are assessed by a variety of methods including unseen examinations, long essays, coursework and the research dissertation.
Detailed module information
See full details of modules for this programme.
With their specialist knowledge and language skills, SSEES Master's graduates can be found in business, finance, the media, international agencies, charities, diplomacy, international security organisations, the law, and academia.
Employability
Students who have successfully completed this programme have progressed to further academic research on the region, or have obtained employment in such organisations as the European Parliament and the Ministry of Defence, as well as roles in business, think tanks, NGOs, or similar, both in Britain and abroad. Networking is facilitated by two major collaborations led by SSEES: CEELBAS and the International Master's (IMESS). Scholarships, internship opportunities and excellent links with other universities in the region provide further benefits.
The UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES) is one of the world's leading specialist institutions, and the largest national centre in the UK, for the study of central, Eastern and south-east Europe and Russia.
Located on the edge of Bloomsbury, SSEES offers an ideal location for scholars. The British Library, British Museum, University of London Library and other similar research centres are all close by.
The SSEES Library is unequalled in Britain for the depth and breadth of its collections, the majority of which are on open access in the SSEES building.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: SSEES - School of Slavonic & East European Studies
64% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
The MSc European Studies (Research) will allow you to combine the study of substantive themes in European integration with a strong methodological training. It will provide you with a methodologically and historically grounded, multidisciplinary analysis of Europe as a political, economic and cultural space. It also analyses European integration and the post-communist transformation process.
You will take courses from a range of options from European Institute MSc degrees, together with intensive research design and methods training. You will use methodology to drive your research and will be supported in developing research questions of real-world relevance. You will be trained in both quantitative and qualitative methods and will learn to apply them robustly throughout your research process, in order to best answer your question. You will also attend a programme of guest lectures from distinguished outside speakers, including business leaders and policy-makers.
This programme will provide an ideal preparation for doctoral study, as well as for successful careers in politics, journalism, diplomacy, business and in international financial institutions.
Former graduates pursue successful careers in academia, politics, journalism, diplomacy and business, and in international financial institutions. Students from this programme are actively headhunted by companies and international organisations working in the region.
Students who have successfully completed the MSc European Studies (Research) will be well placed to apply for admission into competitive doctoral programmes in the UK and elsewhere. For those looking to pursue doctoral research at the European Institute, the MSc European Studies (Research) offers an excellent opportunity to get to know potential PhD supervisors prior to application for the MPhil/PhD in European Studies. Admission into the doctoral programme at the European Institute is conditional on obtaining a good merit in your master's degree, normally defined as an average of 65 per cent or above, and normally a distinction (70 per cent or above) in the dissertation; and is conditional on the availability of a suitable supervisor.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Join one of our 16 International English-language Master’s programs at the University of Haifa
