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European Studies

About the major

Do you envisage a career in communications, journalism, business, government, international relations or the non-government sphere? Maybe you have spent an exchange year or summer break in Europe, or want to study in Europe later on?

In European Studies, you will learn about the societies, politics and cultures of Europe from an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective.

Our units focus on present-day Europe, its problems and successes, its diversity, its conflicts and its relationship to the world, as well as some of the historical background to present day issues. We look both at the European Union - the world's most advanced supernational federation of states and its most progressive superpower - and the wider European continent of which it is a part.

The Discipline of European Studies draws on the expertise of specialists in French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Spanish, Arabic, and Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies.

You can take European Studies as a major or minor, or you can simply enrol in one of our elective or Open Learning Environment units. You do not need to speak a European language to enrol in European Studies: all classes are conducted in English and use English-language texts. However, we encourage students majoring or minoring in European Studies to gain competence in a European language through taking a second major or minor in one of the European languages on offer in the School of Languages and Cultures.

Students majoring in European Studies can also complete a period of exchange at one the many University of Sydney partner universities in Europe. In addition, through our senior project-based units you will develop professional and problem solving skills relating to contemporary issues in Europe.

For further specialisation, you can complete a fourth year in European Studies, either as an Honours student, working on an individual research project, or specialising in project-based fourth year units that will further enhance your work-ready skills.

Requirements for completion

The European Studies major and minor requirements are listed in the European Studies unit of study table.

Advanced coursework

Requirements and units of study for advanced coursework can be found on the advanced coursework units of study page.

Honours

Students intending to do Honours are encouraged to make use of their proficiency in relevant European languages and to consider cognate units in relevant language disciplines.

The Honours program consists of two seminars and a research thesis. As with the undergraduate European Studies major, all units and the thesis will be in English. However, we encourage students with European or other relevant language proficiency to use sources in that language for their thesis research.

Honours admission requirements

Admission to Honours is via the Bachelor of Advanced Studies or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and requires the completion of a major in European Studies with an average of 70% or above.

Prior to commencing honours, you will need to ensure you have completed all other requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or other bachelor degree, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units and, where undertaking the Bachelor of Advanced Studies, a second major.

Requirements and units of study for honours can be found on the European Studies honours units of study page.

Contacts and further information

For contact details and more information see the Discipline of European Studies website.