Course details

Summary

Studying Europe from afar provides a number of advantages - of perspective, comparative analysis and of isolation from short-term trends. Europe provides an important cultural and linguistic reference point to New Zealand in an increasingly global community. The European Union (EU) is New Zealand's most significant bilateral partner after Australia and is one of the world's leading political and trading blocs, with 28 member states and 500 million people.

European and European Union Studies aims to offer a broad-based, inter-disciplinary programme that embraces the studies of the institutional, legal, political, economic and social aspects of the integration process of the EU as well as the languages and cultures of Europe. The programme encourages the study of European languages within this framework.

Why study European and European Union Studies at UC?

UC offers two main areas of study under this major, which you can pursue throughout your three years of study.

• EU studies: if you want to know about modern-day Europe, this track gives you insight into the political, economic and social integration of modern Europe, the EU as a major global actor and its international relations. Within this track you can learn how New Zealand currently interacts with the EU, including legal and economic relations.
• Cultures and languages of Europe: if you are interested in learning about the diverse languages and cultures of Europe, there are a number of courses where you can explore Europe's varied histories, traditions, narratives and cultures, the importance of Europe for New Zealand and the lessons we can learn from different cultures and languages living in a global environment.

The Certificate in Arts (CertArts) is designed for you if you want to study at university level without having to commit to several years of study. It is also an option if you want to take a few courses for interest or study part-time.

Qualification structure and duration

The Certificate in Arts is made up of five courses (a minimum of 75 points) at 100 and/or 200-level.

It can be completed full-time, or over one to two years of part-time study.

You can transfer the credits you gain during the Certificate in Arts to the Bachelor of Arts (and some other degrees), as long as you have not graduated with the certificate.

Further study

The Certificate in Arts can be used as a stepping stone to a Bachelor of Arts.

Career opportunities

Arts graduates enjoy a raft of exciting career destinations, for instance in media, government, international relations, arts, culture, heritage, archives, politics, public policy, writing, editing, PR, communications, conservation, tourism, teaching, community development, publishing, design, business, advertising and marketing.

A qualification in European and European Union Studies provides students with increasingly relevant and expanding employment opportunities. Graduates with knowledge of Europe are well placed to work in foreign affairs, international trade and development, government service, the business sector, tourism, law, non-government and not-for-profit organisations and in private multinational companies such as Fonterra where European interests are significant.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Certificate in Arts. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.