European Studies
By Emma Prest
Published: 15 August 2004
What do you come out with? BA.
Why do it? Because unlike many Conservative MPs, you're a Europhile. You like the idea of studying European integration and everything European across the disciplines. You may want to speak a European language well. You think Europe matters, that it has something to teach the world. You fancy spending a year in a university on the Continent. One day you might even like to work for a European organisation.
What's it about? Britain and Ireland are the only countries in Europe with first degrees in European studies. At Glasgow the degree is Central and East European Studies. There is no compulsory language in this degree and the focus on contemporary issues covering Russia, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania. At almost all universities, studying a language is no longer a requirement for European Studies degrees. Loughborough offer BAs in European and International Studies or Politics with a minor such as geography, economics or management. You can combine European and International studies with one or two minor subjects. It is also possible to study two languages, from French, Spanish or German. You can begin from one language from scratch or from any higher level. The European Studies BA at Portsmouth is equally flexible. You can combine it with politics, geography, international relations or law. You can study up to two languages out of French, German, Spanish and Italian and they even offer the chance to learn Chinese, Greek or Arabic in evening classes. The compulsory modules in the first year are Introduction to European Studies, European History from 1914 and study skills. Optional courses can be on anything from European cinema to international economies. You have the chance to go on a field trip to the European Institutions in Luxembourg and Brussels.
How long is a degree? Three years. Although all courses offer a year abroad in which case it is four. Portsmouth give you the chance to do a three year degree and spend your first semester in your third year abroad which gives you "the best of both worlds" according to Dr. Anna Syngellakis at Portsmouth.
What are the students like? Majority are women, although at Loughborough it is about 50:50. Most from the United Kingdom; a few from the rest of Europe. In Glasgow 20 per cent are from continental Europe and America. Generally they are highly motivated, politically aware, hip and have spent time in one or more European countries apart from the UK. And they're natural linguists.
How is it packaged? Half exams, half continuous assessment at Salford. Mix of exams and assessment or project work at Bradford and Bath. 30 per cent continual assessment and 70 per cent exams at Glasgow moving towards 50:50 in later years. At Loughborough it is 50:50.
How cool is it? Depends on your point of view. Some think it's cool to know about the Common Agricultural Policy, wine lakes, butter mountains and Romano Prodi; others think it's deadly. Those who teach the subject say it produces a more sophisticated all-rounder than a single honours degree in a modern language. No medieval literature here.
What A-levels do you need? Mostly an A-level in the language and the humanities subject you will study. Some places accept any subject. At Salford you can start a language from scratch but admissions tutors like evidence of language-learning ability.
What grades? BBB at Reading, BBC at Bath and Glasgow. Bradford bases most offers on students' predicted grades; BCC/CCC at Salford. CCC at Loughborough. Portsmouth want 200-280 UCAS tariff points.
Will you be interviewed? No at Bath. Loughborough and Glasgow. Yes at Salford.
Will it keep you off the dole? Should do. You can get a job working on the Continent, for the European Commission in Brussels or for a company. Graduates go into journalism, publishing, teaching, banking and the civil service.
What do students say? Caroline Briggs, 23, a 4th year at Bradford. "I chose the subject because I wanted to study languages but also to make my degree more diverse. The course was very enjoyable and interesting. But it was hard work. I preferred the languages to the politics and history. I have a job with a market research company in Florida where I will be using my Spanish."
Where's best for research? Birmingham (Centre for Russian and East European Studies), Bradford (European Studies), Southampton, Glasgow were awarded a 5*. Aston, Bath, Birmingham (Institute for German Studies), Brighton (no degrees, only research), Lancaster, Loughborough, Portsmouth, Salford, Surrey, UCL, Cardiff, Queen's Belfast received a 5. Bradford (Modern Languages), Goldsmiths, Kent at Canterbury, Kingston, UMIST, Heriot-Watt, Paisley all got a 4.
Where's the cutting edge? Bath researchers are looking at nation states and immigration in Italy and the significance of wine in France from an anthropological perspective. Bradford academics are researching the creeping Europeanisation of our social and economic lives. Salford's research covers contemporary politics, literature and cultural studies, translation studies, linguistics and European transport policy. Glasgow is strong on the socio-economic development of Russia and the Ukraine, women's studies and becoming members of the EU. At Loughborough it is international relations of the EU and political thought. Portsmouth is strong on languages and European policy research.
Who are the stars? Professor Kenneth Dyson, an expert in German politics, and Professor Kevin Featherstone, an expert in Greek politics, who jointly wrote The Road from Maastricht and teach at Bradford. Professor John Keiger, modern French history, Professors Martin Bull, Diane Blakemore and Richard Towell, all at Salford; Professor Anna Cento Bull, Professor Dennis Tate, Professor Roger Eatwell and Professor Jolyon Howorth, all at Bath; Dr. James White and Dr. Terry Cox at Glasgow. Professors Mike Smith and David Allen at Loughborough. Professor Andrew Massey expert in public policy, Dr. Martin Evans specialist in European history and Dr. Tony Chafer expert in European-African relations all at Portsmouth University.
Added value: Bath students can spend their year on the Continent working as language assistants in schools or in a Continental university. Salford students can do their year in Europe in a work placement position rather than a university, working in a bank or a ski resort, for example. Glasgow students can go to Russia or the Czech Republic.
Related Courses: A BA in Slavonic studies is available at Glasgow.
Where the famous went: Paula Radcliffe gained one of the highest firsts at Loughborough for French, German and economics. James Gibson, the 50m breast stroke world studied his undergraduate degree there and is currently doing his masters in International studies.
Extra reading: The Register of Courses in European Studies in UK Universities and University Colleges. Price £6, from the University Association for Contemporary European Studies at King's College London.
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