BA European StudiesAdd to shortlist

Programme profile

European Studies is an exciting, innovative bachelor degree aimed at training you to become a specialist in European matters.You will acquire the key skills and competencies needed to start working as a professional in multicultural organisations the world over . Focusing on Europe and its relationship with the wider world, the programme provides you with advanced skills in intercultural communication, proficiency in at least 2 foreign languages and general management skills.

As part of the European Studies "Major" you will also acquire basic expertise in the subject fields of European Policy and International Marketing. The "Minors" European Studies offers, will enable you to further specialise and to choose to deepen in areas of Business Management or Law & Politics. You may also choose to deepen in the Communications area, pick a language based minor to deepen your knowledge, or indeed mix and match minors to get the best of all worlds!

An intensive 3-year version of this programme is also available.

Programme content

Your first year is all about understanding Europe and understanding yourself. You’ll study politics, business and culture while getting to know Europe’s government agencies, international organisations, non-profits and private businesses – your potential employers.

You’ll also learn the fundamentals of management within those organisations and collaboration between them. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your professional skills and work on research and critical thinking. You’ll get comfortable with public speaking, study intercultural communication and work on your foreign languages and English. You’ll also begin a four-year personal development process to help you identify and pursue your own career goals.

The first year provides the foundation for the rest of the programme and if you successfully complete all of your courses, you’ll earn a first-year diploma (Propedeuse).

In the second year, you’ll take everything to the next level, developing a deeper understanding of international businesses and organisations, public policy and European culture, while doubling down on your professional skills and foreign languages. You’ll also learn how to operate within those organisations in different situations. You will still have guidance and supervision, but you’ll also be given more independence and take on more complex challenges.

Year 2 includes a deep dive into how Europe’s organisations deal with contemporary challenges like sustainability, as well as peace and security and you will explore the decision-making processes and strategies used by governments, non-profits and companies to take on those challenges.

Year 3 includes one of the high points of the European Studies programme: a 5-month exchange to one of over 100 partner institutions all over the world.

The other half of Year 3 combines your ongoing career development with an analysis of the impact of diversity on Europe and its organisations that will ask you to look at contemporary issues from a business perspective, a political perspective and a cultural perspective. 

In year 4, you will choose to specialise in either the public sector or the private sector, in politics or business, and you will customise your final year around that discipline.

It will involve an internship at an international business, government agency, a non-profit or other kind of political or cultural organization that is in Europe and/or focused on Europe in some way. You can do this abroad if you like, but The Hague also has a lot to offer as the international city of peace and justice. Before you graduate have to choose a graduation project to finish your studies.

All European Studies students follow French, German or Spanish throughout the programme and can start at an advanced level or at beginner level

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Progression

The university offers related Masters programmes, taught through English, in the following areas:

- European Law & Policy
- International Communication Management

Entry Requirements