MSc European Studies (Research)

About the MSc programme

The programme  prepares students for the methodologically and historically grounded, multi-disciplinary analysis of Europe as a political, economic and cultural space. It also analyses European integration and the post-communist transformation process. The programme is driven by teachers of academic distinction, with experience of policy making in Europe.

In the MSc European Studies (Research) students combine specialist courses from MSc Political Economy of Europe or MSc Politics and Government in the European Union or MSc European Studies: Ideas and Identities together with intensive research design and methods training. Students take five courses, including a specialist core course from the MSc Political Economy of Europe or MSc Politics and Government in the European Union or MSc European Studies: Ideas and Identities, a specialist course on research design and methods for European Studies, quantitative analysis, an elective option, and a 10,000 word dissertation on an approved topic. Students must also attend European Union: Contemporary Issues- a programme of guest lectures from distinguished outside speakers, including business leaders and policy makers . Students can expect an average of 180 hours of teaching.

Students who have successfully completed the MSc European Studies (Research) will be well-placed to apply for admission into competitive doctoral programmes in the UK and elsewhere. Former graduates pursue successful careers in politics, journalism, diplomacy, business and in international financial institutions. Students from this programme are actively head hunted by companies and international organisations working in the region.

Applicants for the MSc European Studies (Research) should have a good upper second or first class degree, or a GPA of 3.5 or better in any of the social sciences, including contemporary history and international relations.

Courses one (compulsory)

(* half unit)

Choose to the value of one full unit from either MSc Political Economy of Europe, MSc European Studies: Ideas and Identities or MSc Politics and Government in the European Union:

• European Political Economy
• The Idea of Europe*
• History and Theory of European Integration*
• Democracy, Ideology and the European State*
• Ethnic Diversity and International Society*
• European Politics: Comparative Analysis*

Course two

• Introduction to Quantitative Analysis* (assessed on a pass/fail basis)

Course three

• Research Methods and Design in European Studies. An assessed 3,000 word essay on problems of Research Design and Methods as applied to methodological issues related to prospective dissertation and doctoral research.

Course four

• 10,000 word dissertation on an approved topic.

Course five

• For students choosing the European Political Economy stream: One other course up to the value of a half unit from the MSc Political Economy of Europe programme.
• For students choosing the European Politics and European Identities streams: One other course up to the value of a full unit (or combination of half units) from MSc Politics and Government in the European Union or MSc European Studies: Ideas and Identities programmes under the specialist options, or from one of the compulsory courses not already taken

Promotion to the second year of the doctoral programme

Promotion to the second year (ie admission into the doctoral programme at the European Institute) is conditional on obtaining a good merit in your master's degree, normally defined as an average of 65 per cent or above, and 65 per cent or above in the dissertation; and is conditional on the availability of a suitable supervisor.