Postgraduate Programmes in European Studies

Postgraduate Programme in European Studies

[portland/thnet/Es1199/_private/navbar.htm]

EUROPEAN STUDIES AT BRADFORD:

The Department of European Studies at the University of Bradford is well established and is the largest of its kind in the UK. Indeed, it is one of the strongest centres for the study of Europe within the European Union. The Department is multidisciplinary - with staff from political science, history, international relations and economics - and has academic exchange programmes with a range of institutions in Western and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and Latin America, leading and participating in several ERASMUS, TEMPUS and MED-CAMPUS schemes. The Department has a large and thriving postgraduate community.

The Department’s reputation for research and publications was recognised in the audit of university departments conducted on behalf of the UK government. The Department obtained the top ranking (5A) in each of the last two reviews, indicating that it is a centre of international excellence. It is the only department of its kind to have received such recognition.

MA/Postgraduate Diploma in:

European Integration

East European Studies

European/Latin American Relations

Modern European History

These courses are taught by 18 members of the permanent academic staff of the University, including five Professors, and three Senior Lecturers, plus a number of visiting academics.

Admissions

Course Aims

Course Features

Course Structures

Course Rationale

Resources

COURSE RATIONALE:

Each of these four courses provides a broad social science education, including training in research methods, whilst allowing students to specialise in areas of particular concern to them.

Each of these courses is constructed in the knowledge that the process of European integration, the changes under way in central and eastern Europe, and the increased importance of the European Union in international affairs, have ushered in a new era. There is thus a major need for relevant professional and research expertise in these areas.

COURSE AIMS:

* To produce a body of trained researchers with expertise on the diverse problems confronting contemporary Europe

* To inculcate an appreciation of the interrelationships between local, national and supranational developments

* To highlight the changing relations between Europe and the rest of the world

* To sensitise trainees to the need to be able to adapt their skills to the changing realities of Europe

The training offered by the course therefore provides a firm foundation for those generally concerned with the problems and challenges of Europe, as well as those who may require specialist knowledge either within their professional careers or in further academic research.

COURSE FEATURES:

Each of the courses has recently been revised and updated to respond better to current needs. Each offers an attractive package of study.

The MA schemes in European Integration, East European Studies and European/Latin American Relations are recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council, and we have been allocated three quota awards. Students interested in applying for these should ensure that they submit their application to us no later than 4 April.

Teaching is on a modular and semester basis. This allows for increased flexibility in student programmes. Students can register for study on a full-time or part-time basis: full-time involves coursework over one academic year; part-time over two years. Part-time study can be on one day per week.

There are no examinations as such; assessment is on the basis of coursework essays (and, for MA students, a dissertation).

Study involves a combination of compulsory modules (seen as essential foundations in the relevant subject area) and optional modules (allowing students to choose particular specialisations).

As well as social science modules, students may include in their programme the study of a relevant European language, so as to extend their relevant research skills. The language modules are offered subject to demand and availability.

The programme is supported by the award of dissertation prizes by National Westminster Bank and Bulmer and Lumb Ltd. The Department values most highly this external acknowledgement of its research training.

COURSE STRUCTURES:

Please note, not all courses may be available in any particular year; moreover, new modules may be introduced in some years.

Compulsory modules:

* Research Methods on Modern Europe Single

* Research Workshop Single

* Seminar on European Integration Single

Optional modules:

Students choose EIGHT single modules or their equivalents from the following:

* Europe in the International System (not available in 1997-98) Single

* Europe’s Changing Relations Single

* Policy Dynamics in the European Policy Process Double

* The EU and the Social Dimension Single