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.

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.

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.

Recommended preparation

There are no entry requirements for those entering 100-level courses on European and European Union Studies. It is a broad degree inviting students to explore political, social and economic structures of modern-day Europe and the European Union and their relations to European languages and cultures. Students who enjoyed studying history, geography, social studies, languages and English may find this major a very attractive option.

Qualification structure and duration

A student must complete at least 120 points from taught courses, as approved by the Head of Department and the Dean of Arts.

Further study

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts graduates are well positioned to continue their studies. Subject to the approval of the Dean of Arts (and provided the courses fall within the time limits for the higher award), a student may transfer PGDipArts courses passed with a B grade or higher to:

the Bachelor of Arts with Honours

the coursework section of a master's degree (there are a number of taught master's operated by the College of Arts).

UC also offers a research-based Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy.

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

Candidates must have qualified for a Bachelor of Arts or an equivalent degree and satisfied the prerequisites for the subject concerned. Prerequisites vary between departments, but normally good grades in 300-level courses in that subject are required.

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.