Course details

Summary

This new 180-point degree studies the European Union (EU) in the global context, with a special focus on the Asia-Pacific region and European Union-New Zealand relations. Master of European Union Studies (MEURO) participants will analyse the influence of global and regional conditions on the EU and gain an understanding of issues around multiculturalism in the European context and in the Asia-Pacific.

The economic and political importance of the EU within the Asia-Pacific region has never been higher. In 2016 the EU and New Zealand initiated a joint Pacific energy partnership programme (worth €2 billion), a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been concluded with Korea, and FTA negotiations are currently underway with ASEAN, Malaysia, India and Singapore and are due to commence with New Zealand in 2016. The impact of BREXIT in our region is an area that the MEURO degree explores from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Features of the MEURO

• This is the only programme of its kind in this discipline in Australasia, and is part-funded by the European Commission.
• Teaching staff include two current Jean Monnet Chairs, which is a title awarded by the European Commission in recognition of teaching and research excellence in the field of European integration. Two other staff members have been recipients of Jean Monnet course funding.
• Participants can take advantage of the expertise, staff and resources that exist within the National Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE), New Zealand's only research centre devoted to the study of Europe and the European Union.

The core courses are research-informed by the NCRE's internationally acknowledged research projects and published works.
The master's consists of 180 points and half of these are accounted for by a dissertation. As a research degree the MEURO builds on and reinforces the NCRE's international reputation for quality research and its established network of international contacts in Europe and Asia.

There are three compulsory courses (45 points) and a further 45 points of elective courses. Of these electives, one may be selected from a group of courses taught by staff in other programmes (eg, Law, Political Science and International Relations). Students may also select a 15-point internship (EURO 481 European Studies Internship Paper).

Compulsory courses:

EURO 402 The EU in Europe and the World: the EU's External Identities in the Asia-Pacific

EURO 458 European Development

EURO 479 Navigating Research: Research Training and Methods

Elective courses:

At least 30 points from courses that form a regular part of the EURO Honours programme.

Further study

As the MEURO has a strong research component, it will prepare students for further research at a doctoral level. The NCRE offers a Doctor of Philosophy in European Studies.

Career opportunities

This programme will prepare graduates for careers in government organisations, non-government organisations and business with international connections.

Graduates will have engaged in one of the two internships which builds community engagement skills and all graduates will have had the opportunity to reflect on multicultural identities in contemporary Europe and on contemporary relations between the EU and the nations of Asia and the Pacific, including Maori and indigenous societies. These skills and the knowledge gained are of great benefit to government departments such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, as well as educational programmes such as WestREAP and ISD Dusseldorf.

Entry criteria

The MEURO builds on a three-year undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (or a bachelor's degree plus qualifying course) completed at a specified minimum level of attainment. 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 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.