European Studies

Description

Our BA European Studies offers you a wide-ranging knowledge of all aspects of European life and culture, including detailed acquaintance with the country where you spend a full academic year. Unlike our other European Studies course, there is no language requirement as your year abroad is taught in English.

Why study BA European Studies at Essex?

European studies is an interdisciplinary subject that touches on a wide range of topics across the humanities and social sciences. Here at Essex, our teaching and research in European studies offers maximum flexibility for you to study areas that interest you. Our teaching and research builds on a foundation of expertise in modern languages, literature, film, history of art, history, politics and sociology, with experienced staff in all disciplines.

Why study this subject?

Switch on the news any day of the week, or pick up just about any national newspaper, and you will be sure to come across an item on Europe. Media coverage of the news coming from continental Europe demonstrates the fact that few of us fully understand the idea and ramifications of a unified Europe. An understanding of the nature of ‘Europe’ requires an examination of its economic, legal and sociological context. Its historical origins are also profoundly important. The artists, writers, musicians, composers and film-makers of Europe have exerted a cultural influence that even now is not eclipsed by the dominance of America on the world’s stage. Yet how many people are equipped to contribute to the process of defining Europe, of shaping the turbulent and recent history which underpins the radical changes in our everyday lives?
The study of Europe encourages rational discussion of the move towards a common European identity and a deeper appreciation of the diverse traditions and people who are all Europeans. Through a course in European studies, you will acquire the knowledge, skills and experience to make an active contribution to one of the most important political and cultural processes of the century. Sociology is the study of the different kinds of social tensions, interactions and networks that make up everyday life. It asks why individuals, groups, cultures and peoples are the way they are and how they might be different.

Our facilities

Our students have access to all our Colchester Campus facilities for learning and research, such as computing laboratories and our Albert Sloman Library, which has strong holdings that, in the subjects of Latin America, Russia and Eastern Europe, are of national significance.

Study abroad/placement opportunities

The third year of your course is spent at one of our ERASMUS partner universities where you will follow modules related to your course at Essex. The year’s work provides an unparalleled experience of life in another country. As you do not need to be studying a language on BA European Studies, your year abroad options include: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Malta and Stockholm.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

Our courses are characterised by choice and flexibility. Studying at Essex is about discovering yourself, so your course combines compulsory ('core') and optional modules to ensure you gain key knowledge in the discipline while having as much freedom as possible to explore your own interests. Our modules change from year to year in response to new developments and innovation, but our module directory can show you which modules are available to our current students.

Example structure

Because of our interdisciplinary approach, many of our courses offer a wide selection of available modules, often including options from departments other than your own. Your course content will therefore depend on your own unique interests, but the structure below gives an example of what’s available to you.

Year 1

• Europe Myth and Idea (core)
• From Disunity to Unity? An introduction to the history of Europe in the 20th century (optional)
• Introduction to the Law of the European Union (optional)
• Advanced French (optional)
• Introduction to European Politics (optional)

Year 2

• Proficiency level French (optional)
• Clash of the Superpowers: The History of the Cold War (optional)
• Introduction to Political Theory (optional)
• Doing Research for a BA Dissertation: Approaches, Methods, Practice (optional)

Year 3

To be spent following assessed modules at an approved institution of higher education in the country of the language studied in the second year; OR, if on a scheme where no language is studied, at a partner institution where the language of tuition is English. Choice of country, university and modules for the year abroad are subject to the approval of the Course Director.
The final year Dissertation will be optional and discretionary, subject to the approval of the Dissertation coordinator or the Course Director. Students opting to write a Dissertation are expected to work on this during their year abroad.

Year 4

• Mastery level French (optional)
• From Stalin to Putin (optional)
• Crime, Policy and Social Justice (optional)
• Dangerous Ideas: Manifestos as Social Criticism (optional)
• Final Year Dissertation (optional)

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above) or achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at merit (or above).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at the University of Essex please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/funding.