EUROPEAN STUDIES

Access to the Master’s Programme in European Studies at Aarhus University requires successful completion of a relevant BA degree within Humanities or Social Sciences (e.g. Cultural Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, History, International studies, European studies, Political science, Media studies, Philosophy).

Only students who fulfil these requirements should apply.

The Master’s degree programme in European studies consists of two years of full-time study (120 ECTS) and is divided into two tracks:

• Track A consists of two years of work in the field of European studies
• Track B consists of two years of work in the field of European studies. Only students who have completed a Bachelor’s supplementary subject in European studies at Aarhus University are eligible to apply.

Prerequisites for admission to the Master’s degree programme in European studies depend which track you are seeking admission to.

Track A (120 ECTS points in European studies)

You can be admitted to the Master’s degree in European studies on the basis of a relevant humanistic or social science Bachelor’s degree. Relevant degrees include subjects can be history, anthropology, law, political science, philosophy, sociology or the like.

Examples of Bachelor’s degrees which qualify the applicant for admission to Track A:

• A Bachelor’s degree in history
• A Bachelor’s degree in anthropology   
• A Bachelor’s degree in law
• A Bachelor’s degree in political science
• A Bachelor’s degree in philosophy

Track B (120 ECTS points in European studies)

The prerequisite for admission to track B is a completed Bachelor’s degree which includes a supplementary subject in European studies from Aarhus University.

Examples of Bachelor’s degrees which qualify the applicant for admission to Track B:

• A Bachelor’s degree in history and European studies (Aarhus University)
• A Bachelor’s degree in the history of literature and European studies (Aarhus University)
• A Bachelor’s degree in anthropology and European studies (Aarhus University)

There is no fixed list of acceptable degree combinations, so if you are not sure whether your Bachelor’s degree qualifies you for admission to the programme, you are encouraged to contact the student guidance centre here.

Language requirements

English at B level at upper-secondary school or the equivalent is a requirement for admission: read about English language requirements. 

Selection criteria

As the Master’s programme only admits a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme. 

In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assesses each applicant on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Academic background (75%)

• Average mark (i.e. GPA) – Bachelor’s degree (25%)
• Average mark (i.e. GPA) – relevant courses (25%)
• The number of relevant courses* (measured in ECTS) included in your Bachelor’s degree course of study (25%)

* Relevant courses include courses within the subject areas of Cultural Studies, International or European Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Political Science and other related areas.

Please note that marks/grades obtained after the time of application will not be included in the GPA.

The admissions committee assesses each applicant on the basis of the information provided by diplomas, transcripts and the statement of relevance.

2.Other relevant experience (25%)

• Relevant work experience**
• International, cultural or organizational experience

** Work experience in e.g. NGOs, international organisations, private companies, the public sector.

The admissions committee assesses each applicant on the basis of the information provided by the CV and other relevant documentation.

Documentation

In addition to the general documentation requirements, you must upload the following documentation to your application:

1) Statement of relevance: a brief statement in English (1-2 pages) which explains:

• the relevance of your Bachelor’s degree in relation to the Master’s programme
• your career plans
• the courses in your Bachelor’s degree which have particular relevance to the Master’s programme

2 Curriculum vitae

• All applicants must submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) describing your relevant educational and work experience in chronological order.
• You may enclose additional documentation of relevant work experience, letters of recommendation, etc.

Please note that applicants for the Master’s programme in Europeans Studies are NOT required to upload course descriptions.

Academic regulations

As a student it is important to know the regulations for the chosen supplementary subject: what is the content, how is it structured and what does it require from you.

You can find this information in the academic regulation for the bachelor’s supplementary subject:

• SEE THE ACADEMIC REGULATIONS FOR EUROPEAN STUDIES

Job functions for grads

This data is derived from AU's 2016 employment survey. This data should not be considered a completely accurate representation of the labour market and job functions for all graduates of the individual degree programmes. It exclusively represent the responses submitted to the survey in the years in question.

Job profile

A Master’s degree in European studies gives you a European perspective that you can use in many different contexts:

• International organisations: You can work in European and international institutions, for example, or different interest groups.
• Political institutions: You can work in the EU or in Danish institutions such as the Danish Parliament and regional authorities.
• Teaching: You can communicate your knowledge of European matters at universities, evening classes, folk high schools, upper secondary schools, etc.
• Research and Projects: You can plan and carry out qualitative projects and research on behalf of public and private sector companies.
• The media: You can relay your knowledge of European matters via TV, radio, newspapers and books.

In European studies, you can also pursue a career as an academic researcher. You have the option of applying for admission to the PhD programme at the faculty’s Graduate School. You can apply when you have completed your Bachelor’s degree and one year of your Master’s degree studies or when you have completed your Master’s degree. For more information about PhD degree programmes at the Faculty of Arts, click here.

Competence profile

A Master’s degree in European studies gives you competences in the following areas:

• European insight: With a Master’s degree in European studies, you have comprehensive knowledge of political and cultural conditions in Europe.
• Analysis and data collection: You have experience with collecting and analysing data from your assignments and projects.
• Interdisciplinary skills: In European studies, you work with elements from many different subjects and with students from many different academic backgrounds.
• Intercultural collaboration: You work with students from all over the world, you are experienced in collaborating with people from other cultures than your own, and you are used to communicating on a daily basis in another language than your mother tongue.
• Research design: You learn to plan and carry out qualitative research. 
• Communication: You can communicate knowledge about European issues to different target groups.
• Organisations: You are familiar with forms of organisational structure and analysis.
• Project organisation and management: In the Master’s degree programme, you gain insight into the way in which interdisciplinary projects are carried out in international teams.

You can read more about the career services that are available from Arts Karriere who provide information about employment opportunities as well as arranging various events and workshops.