Master’s Program in European Studies, Double Degree Track, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
This is a selective program for students looking for an additional academic challenge. The Master’s program leads to two degrees and involves studying your first year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the United States and your second year at the University of Gothenburg. The program prepares you for a career focusing on transatlantic and European affairs, as well as for doctoral studies.
About the program
This interdisciplinary program leads to two degrees and focuses on Europe and relations between Europe and the United States. You will study European integration, EU institutions, transatlantic relations, and comparative welfare state studies. The program addresses current challenges facing Europe and transatlantic relations, including climate change, economic and social inequality, digitalization, security, globalization, and migration.
You will develop skills in social science methods, advanced analysis, and intercultural adaptability, preparing you for analytical work.
Courses
The compulsory courses introduce you to research in comparative welfare studies, European integration, EU institutions, and social science methods. The courses use problem-based assignments to develop your ability to think critically and present your work both in writing and orally.
You can also tailor your studies to your own interests by choosing from a range of elective and semi-elective courses.
Compulsory courses
- Varieties of Democratic Capitalism in Europe and North America
- European Integration: Theories, Institutions and Decision-Making Processes
- US-EU Lecture Series
- Methods courses: Statistics and Data Analysis & Statistics Sequence
- EU Today
- Challenges to European Integration and Culture
- Advanced Research Themes in European Studies
Elective courses
You can explore areas that match your interests by choosing from the following courses:
- Comparative Tolerance
- Political Contestation
Teaching
During your first year, you will take courses offered by the Center for European Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You will study alongside around 20 students, all enrolled in TAM II – the Transatlantic Masters Program. Alongside your studies, you will have the opportunity to get involved in the student-led organization European Horizon.
During your second year, you will take courses at the Centre for European Studies at the Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg. You will study the Master’s Program in European Studies alongside around 40 students from countries around the world.
During the fourth semester, you will write your Master’s thesis.
Alongside your studies at the University of Gothenburg, you will have the opportunity to get involved in the student organization Brännpunkt Europa and take part in student-led study trips to Brussels.
Entry requirements and selection
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the program, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- A Bachelor’s degree (180 credits) with 90 credits in social science disciplines, such as business administration, economic geography, economic history, economics, European studies, human geography, international relations, journalism, law, media and communication studies, public administration, psychology, sociology, social work, political science, or equivalent.
or
- A Bachelor’s degree (180 credits) with 90 credits in the humanities, such as cultural studies, history, history of ideas, philosophy, religious studies, or equivalent.
or
- Three years of completed studies (180 credits, equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree) in a law program.
In addition, English proficiency equivalent to English 6 or English Level 2 is required.
Additional entry requirements are specified in the syllabus for each course.
Selection
Selection is based on a Statement of Intent and your CV. Please use the designated template available under “Application instructions”. Your Statement of Intent and CV must be uploaded to antagning.se no later than 1 February.
Priority is given to applicants with at least 60 credits in European Studies.
Application instructions
You need to apply to both the University of Gothenburg and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill):
- Apply to the Master’s Program in European Studies at the University of Gothenburg, with Chapel Hill as the study location, via antagning.se or universityadmissions.se no later than 15 January. Specific requirements apply to your application. Among other things, you are required to submit a Statement of Intent describing your academic and professional qualifications and experiences that are relevant to the program. For detailed instructions, see Application to the Master’s Program in European Studies.
- Apply to UNC-Chapel Hill no later than 16 December, following the instructions on their website. You can find the application checklist here: TransAtlantic Masters Program.
- You must pay the application fee for UNC-Chapel Hill to consider your application complete.
After graduation
Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Master of Science (MSc) with a major in European Studies from the University of Gothenburg and a Master’s degree in Political Science with a specialization in European Governance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The program provides good opportunities for a career in Sweden and internationally, as well as for further studies at doctoral level.
