Program Overview

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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. It is clear that the future of Europe is a geo-political question of profound importance for the future of the world we live in. Yet, few of us truly understand the complex phenomenon that is modern Europe. You’ll examine Europe’s economic, legal, and sociological context, as well as its historical origins whilst acquiring an understanding of Europe’s rich cultural traditions. 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. Based within our Interdisciplinary Studies Centre (ISC), European studies is a subject that approaches the complex idea of Europevia a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. We have expertise in modern languages, literature, film, history of art, history, politics and sociology, with experienced staff in all disciplines. Our four-year course means that you can spend your third year in Europe, learning a second language and immersing yourself in European cultures. Here at Essex, our teaching and research in European studies offers maximum flexibility for you to study areas that interest you, so you can pursue a wide range of topics including:

• European identity and the development of the EU
• Representations of non-Europeans in art
• Europe’s colonial history
• Religion in Europe
• EU law

The study of Europe is vital for ongoing discussion of what Europe’s future ought to be; a discussion that will profoundly affect every European citizen. Through a course in European studies, you can acquire the knowledge, skills and experience to make an active contribution to one of the most important political and cultural processes of the century. Why we're great.

• You can spend your third year in Europe, learning a second language
• You are taught by a team of international experts in a range of subjects at Essex and abroad
• Each of our courses enables you to study at an excellent European university of your choice

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university

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Our expert staff

Our staff teach in departments across the University, and specialise in a wide range of topics including history, law, literature, film, politics, and sociology. We are a team of internationally recognised writers and lecturers with expertise across the arts, humanities and social sciences. As well as being one of the UK’s leading universities for social science, and the highest ranking institution for political science, our staff research topics that stretch across the globe – we are working on issues in Latin America, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

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Specialist facilities

• Our Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence provides a forum for pan-European research
• Attend an exciting programme of events
• Access a variety of textbooks and journals in our Albert Sloman Library which houses materials on Russia and Eastern Europe that are of national significance

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Your future

A year abroad can develop your confidence, independence, maturity and other invaluable life skills. These are exactly the combination of skills and experience most in demand from a wide range of employers. This course provides excellent preparation for areas which include import/export management, banking and financial sectors, academia, airlines, information technology, management, museums, teaching, non-governmental offices, and development agencies in the UK and abroad. Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of organisations including:

• The Civil Service (especially the Foreign Office)
• Embassies around the world
• The European Council on Foreign Relations
• The Europe Direct Contact Centre in Brussels
• The Spanish Congress of Deputies
• LEAD Europe

Other recent graduates have also undertaken traineeships with the European Commission, for the Directorate-General for Education and Culture, and various internships in journalism and with NGOs. We also work with the university's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. “It has been easy to settle in and find new friends because of the variety of societies and clubs to join, and the staff have been very friendly and supportive. My modules have given me a broad understanding of Europe, and enabled me to access a wide range of career opportunities." Andreas Andreou, BA European Studies