Master's Program in European Studies

The aim of the program is to develop advanced knowledge and analytical skills relevant to European Studies. Understanding and analysing important European issues demand diverse perspectives and multidisciplinary competences. This program addresses a broad range of topics within European Studies, including legal, political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of contemporary European development and integration, as well as its historical background. In a world of conflicts and insecurities, Europe and the EU are key players coping with external tension and uncertainty. Societal developments in Europe also depend on changes and conflicts among new and old members, local and regional levels of government, and elites and citizens. Various actors (e.g. private companies, local/regional authorities, social movements) contribute to the future development of Europe, while historic, economic, political, and social conditions influence European integration.

The program equips students with the analytical skills to assess European actors involved in integration processes, implications of supranational decision-making, as well as to formulate strategies to effectively operate in the European arena. The academic spirit of the program is the creation of a critical stance. The program fosters independent thinking and promotes the urge and ability to formulate original questions, not ready-made answers to boilerplate questions. All courses of the program are closely linked to current research, with a special emphasis on multidisciplinary studies of Europe. Methodologically, the program builds on research-based learning through consistent, intentional engagement with research literature, academic writing, and problem solving. Students also develop the skills of academic presentations and discussion through seminars. The program thus provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for both future professional and research careers.

Eligible students for the program have:

A Bachelor’s degree (180 credits) with 90 credits in social science disciplines such as business and economics, economic geography, economic history, European studies, cultural geography, international relations, journalism, law, media and communication, public administration, psychology, sociology, social work, political science, or equivalent disciplines.

or

A Bachelor’s degree (180 credits) with 90 credits in a humanities discipline such as cultural sciences, history, history of ideas, philosophy, religion or equivalent disciplines.

Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

Any other entry requirements are documented in the respective course syllabus.

This programme leads to a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in European Studies (Filosofie masterexamen med huvudområdet Europakunskap).

For students enrolled in the two-year program in Gothenburg, the curriculum consists of three mandatory core courses, a mandatory course in research design, an elective course in advanced methods, and a compulsory master thesis course.

In addition, students have the opportunity to complete an internship for a full or half semester, study abroad, or study elective courses.

Students enrolled in the double-degree tracks spend their first year in Konstanz and Chapel Hill, respectively. During their second year in Gothenburg, they study two compulsory courses, one of which offers an optional specialization, as well as a compulsory master’s thesis in their main subject.

The program is a full-time programme.

For more information on each course: see the respective course syllabus.

Program Overview

Semester 1

EU2105 Cooperation and Conflict in Europe (7,5 credits)
EU2302 Analyzing Europe: Research design and evaluation (7,5 credits)

and

EU2305 Advanced Qualitative Research methods (15 credits)
or
SK2301 Advanced Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences (15 credits)

Semester 2

Elective courses (30 credits) in Sweden or abroad
or
EU2430 Internship (15 credits)
or
EU2420 Internship (30 credits)

Semester 3

EU2201 Challenges to European Integration and Culture (15 credits)
EU2230 Advanced Research Themes in European Studies (15 credits)

Semester 4 (Thesis course)

EU2500 Master´s Thesis for European Studies, 30 credits

MAES Double Degree –University of Konstanz

Degree and main field of study

A student who successfully completes the program is, upon request, awarded the Degree of Master of Science in European Studies Science (120 credits) with a major in European Studies from the University of Gothenburg, and a Master of Arts in Politics and Public Administration with a special focus on European Studies, from the University of Konstanz.

Content and structure

The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg and the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz have agreed on a double degree collaboration at master's level. The first year of study takes place in Konstanz and the second year in Gothenburg, in accordance with the program syllabus and course syllabi of the respective parties.

Every student takes subject courses and methods courses and completes an independent degree project of 30 credits in European Studies.

The program is offered on a full-time basis.

For more information about each course, see the respective course syllabus.

Other regulations

• The overall program syllabus requirements regarding purpose, outcomes, and guaranteed admission, apply.
• The program is taught in English.
• The program quality assurance activities are guided by the Program Board of the European Program’s quality assurance plan, which is prepared in accordance with the applicable Policy for the Quality Assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg.
• For courses included in the program that is not organized by the Program Board of the European Programs, each individual department is responsible for quality assurance activities. 
• For courses in Konstanz, the University of Konstanz is responsible for quality assurance activities.

Program overview – Double Degree University of Konstanz

Semester 1 in Konstanz

Research design I, 9 credits (methods course)
and
Basic seminar: International Relations and European Integration, 7 credits
and
Basic seminar: International Relations and European Integration, 7 credits
and
Elective course within the subject area of International Relations and European Integration, 7 credits

Semester 2 in Konstanz

Research design II, 9 credits (methods course)
and*
*Elective course 1 within the subject area of International Relations and European Integration, 7 credits
and
Elective course 2 within the subject area of International Relations and European Integration, 7 credits
and
Elective course, 7 credits, in one of the following subject areas:

• Conflict Management
• European Integration
• International Relations
• Management and Public Administration

Semester 3 in Gothenburg

EU2201 Challenges to European Integration and Culture (15 credits)
EU2230 Advanced Research Themes in European Studies (15 credits)

Semester 4 in Gothenburg

EU2500 Master´s Thesis for European Studies, 30 credits

Double Degree –University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Degree and main field of study

A student who successfully completes the program is, upon request, awarded the Degree of Master of Science in European Studies Science (120 credits) with a major in European Studies from the University of Gothenburg, and a Master of Arts in Political Science, Concentration European Governance, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Content and structure

The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg and the Center of European Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have agreed on a double degree collaboration at master’s level. The first year of study takes place in Chapel Hill and the second year in Gothenburg, in accordance with the program syllabus and course syllabi of the respective parties.

Every student takes subject courses and methods courses and completes an independent degree project of 30 credits.

For more information about each course, see the respective course syllabus.

Other regulations

• The overall program syllabus requirements regarding purpose, outcomes, and guaranteed admission, apply.
• The program is taught in English.
• The program quality assurance activities are guided by the Program Board of the European Program’s quality assurance plan, which is prepared in accordance with the applicable Policy for the Quality Assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg.
• For courses included in the program that is not organized by the Program Board of the European Programs, each individual department is responsible for quality assurance activities.
• For courses offered in Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is responsible for quality assurance activities.

Program overview – Double Degree Chapel Hill

Semester 1 in Chapel Hill

Core course, 7 credits (e.g. POLI438 Undivided Europe)
and
Core course, 7 credits (e.g. Poli733 European Integration: Theories, Institutions and Decision-Making Processes)
and
Core course, 7 credits (e.g. Poli882 US-EU Lecture Series)
and
Elective course, 7 credits
and
Methods course, 7 credits (e.g. Poli788 Statistics and Data Analysis)

Semester 2 in Chapel Hill

Elective course, 7 credits (e.g. Poli432 Comparative Tolerance)
and
Elective course, 8 credits (e.g. Poli630 Political Contestation
and
Core course, 7 credits (e.g. Poli490 Advanced Special Topics
and
Methods course, 8 credits (e.g. Poli890 Statistics Sequence)

Semester 3 in Gothenburg

EU2201 Challenges to European Integration and Culture (15 credits)
EU2230 Advanced Research Themes in European Studies (15 credits)

Semester 4 in Gothenburg

EU2500 Master´s Thesis for European Studies, 30 credits

After completing the program, the student shall have achieved the objectives applicable to the relevant qualification set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (Swedish Code of Statutes – SFS 1993:100, Qualifications Ordinance, Appendix 2).

A student who began the program S2EUS no more than 4 years ago, or who has been registered on a course within the program S2EUS during the past 2 years, is offered a transition to the replacement program S2EUS, through admission to a later part of the program. This transitional provision applies to students who apply for admission to a later part of the program no later than 2030-01-20. Selection for admission to a later part of S2EUM is made on the basis of a specific order of priority. A transition to S2EUM may result in an extended period of study for the student.

A student who began the program S2EUS more than 4 years ago, and who has not been registered on a course within the program S2EUS during the past 2 years, is referred to antagning.se/universityadmissions.se to apply to the replacement program S2EUM, compete for a place, and then (if admitted) apply for recognition of credit for completed parts of the discontinued program.

Students admitted to the program have general guaranteed admission to all compulsory courses within the program, provided that they 1) apply according to the specified administrative procedures, and 2) have completed the prerequisite courses. Students admitted to the program have limited guaranteed admission to the elective courses within the program under the same conditions as stated above.