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.

The GradDipArts is designed for graduates seeking to qualify for entry to postgraduate qualifications in arts, to change career direction, or to extend or upgrade their existing qualification/s.

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.

Qualification structure and duration

Students normally take courses from the Bachelor of Arts (BA) schedule. They are required to pass courses totalling a minimum of 120 points; of these 90 points must be at 300-level, including 60 in a single subject. A maximum of 15 points towards the GradDipArts may be taken from subjects not in the BA schedule. Normally all courses would be from the same subject.

Further study

This qualification is an ideal pathway into postgraduate study.

Career opportunities

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.

Among our alumni are diplomats working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, government departments, practitioners at a number of non-governmental organisations dealing with international issues, journalists and teachers.

Our alumni are also employed by a number of international bodies (eg, Antarctica Secretariat, other countries' embassies), and by a number of leading universities in Europe, New Zealand and around the world.

Entry criteria

Graduate diploma require a relevant bachelor's degree. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to ensure they are of an equivalent standard.

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.