European Area Studies

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

BA Hons in EUROPEAN AREA STUDIES
List of Modules

UCAS code T202 BA/EAS

This three-year course provides a broadly-based understanding of contemporary Europe from a range of disciplinary standpoints. Language tuition will assume a good GCSE or equivalent pass in French, German or Spanish, and aims to enable students to read government documents, newspapers and journals written in the source language. Students whose first language is not English can take English as their language.

This course will thus be suitable for those who wish to study contemporary Europe but either do not possess the requisite language qualification for entry to the European Studies course, or who are unable to spend an entire year abroad. It will be of especial interest to students from outside the UK who wish to combine study of Europe with the opportunity to perfect their command of English.

What you study

- How you qualify

- How you are assessed

- Career prospects

What you study

The first year introduces you to the range of social science disciplines covered in the Department, together with language study which will build on your existing knowledge.

Language study continues in the second and third years (though those taking English will undertake a dissertation, in English, related to one of their social science courses). All students take two compulsory courses about modern Europe, plus three core modules as indicated, plus four options from a list of over twenty. The intention is to enable you to select those areas that interest you; the only restriction being that no more than two options may be chosen from any one discipline. This ensures that you will obtain a broad range of understanding of European affairs across a number of disciplines.

First year

Language: French, German, Spanish or English
Plus: Modern European history

Plus Three from: Economics, Geography, Politics, Sociology

Second and third years

Language: continued from first year

Plus: Modern Europe

Plus Three from:
Political economy of the Single European Market,
Modern Germany,
Ethnic and linguistic geography of Europe,
Politics of the European Community,
Classical debates in sociological theory

Plus Four options chosen from a range of up to twenty, covering the economics, geography, history, politics and sociology of Europe. Most are courses that are also available to students following the European Studies course.

How you qualify

All candidates for the European Area Studies course must have at least a grade B in French, German or Spanish at GCSE or its equivalent, or, in the case of students from abroad, a qualification in English (TOEFL score 500 or the British Council IELTS Level 6). Non-language requirements are similar to those for the European Studies degree, and we would normally expect candidates taking A levels to achieve B,C,C or C,C,C.

Applications from mature candidates or those following Access courses are particularly welcome. We admit people with a wide range of qualifications to this course; including GNVQ in Business and Finance (merit) plus at least four additional units. If you are not sure whether your qualifications are suitable, please contact the Admissions Tutor, who will be glad to give individual advice.

You will need to indicate your preferred language by writing Fr, Ger, Sp or Eng in section 3 of your UCAS form.

How you are assessed

Modules are assessed by a combination of unseen examinations, essays, projects and exercises, at the end of the semester in which they are taken. Assessment in the second and final years counts towards your final degree classification.

On the European Studies course, language work is set weekly. You submit a dissertation in the fourth year, and have to complete the year abroad satisfactorily in order to obtain your degree.

Career prospects

Our degrees are highly regarded by employers, even though they are not specifically vocational. Most of our graduates find careers that make direct use of their language skills and knowledge of European affairs. This is especially true after their first promotion.

The main fields that our graduates have entered include: business management, international banking, teaching in schools or higher education, journalism and publishing, marketing, the diplomatic service, and tourism. Quite a few of our graduates now live and work abroad, and approximately half have jobs which involve extensive travel in Europe.

Your degree will also give you a broad general education, and help you develop powers of independent thought, analysis and communication. These skills have enabled some of our graduates to take up such careers as law and accountancy.

Admissions Secretary:
Mrs Pam Joplin: 01274 - 233829

[FrontPage Include Component]