European Studies

Europe from a broad perspective 

Europe is a continent with a long and turbulent history of cultural, political and economic exchange. In the BA European Studies you study contemporary Europe in all its historical and cultural diversity. This international programme taught in English will provide you with an overview of the politics, economics and law of the European Union (EU), while also introducing you to Europe’s history, literature and culture. Such a broad perspective is crucial to making sense of the challenges facing Europe today, such as the euro crisis, the questions posed by multi-cultural societies, and the role of the EU in, for instance, its relations with the Ukraine and Russia. After this BA programme, you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to engage Europe’s complex present and future. 

Is European Studies right for you? 

European Studies is the ideal degree if you are looking for a BA programme that offers a broad introduction to the history, culture, politics, economics and law of contemporary Europe. It is the programme of choice if you are interested in pursuing a career within one of the European institutions, your national government or at international organisations, non-governmental bodies, the cultural sector or in international business. Prospective students should possess a qualified pre-university diploma, preferably including some background in history, literature, languages, geography and other social sciences, and need to demonstrate a good command of the English language. 

European Studies at the University of Amsterdam 

The Bachelor programme in European Studies offers you:

• The opportunity to master a foreign language: You can choose beween fifteen languages and at the end of your BA, you will be able to converse and communicate in at least two languages across Europe’s many borders.  
• A broad programme: you study the politics, law, and economics of the European Union, and the historical, cultural and literary roots of today’s Europe. And you can take courses on the history and culture of Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet states, South-Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean.
• A choice of five focused majors: You can follow your interests and specialisee in European Literature and Culture, European History, East European Studies, European Law, and European Economics. 
• An international programme in both its outlook and staff: You will be taught by a team of specialists coming from a range of European countries, all of whom bring their international research and also policy experience to the classroom. 
• The opportunity to study in the historical centre of Amsterdam offering you a lot of opportunities to sample its historical and cultural heritage. As a European hub, Amsterdam is also just a train ride away from other European capitals like Brussels, Berlin or Prague. 

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