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Level

Bachelor's level

Entry requirements

General entry requirements + English 6 and Civics 1b or Civics 1a1 +1a2.

Programme structure

This education is organised as a systematic inter-disciplinary progression, with European Studies as the main field of study. The programme combines perspectives, theories and issues from political science, history, geography, urban studies, political economy, law, culture and literature studies. In most cases the main field courses combines these perspectives and disciplines in relation to themes of importance for European Studies. Progression within the main field of study in the programme takes place during terms 1, 2, 3 and 6. The connection between the separate courses and their progression is described below.

Term 1:

• European Studies I: Europe as a Field of Knowledge – Politics, Cultures and Societies, Past and Present (ES100), 30 credits, MAIN FIELD COURSE

The course provides the foundations of European Studies. Partly with focus on basic knowledge and understanding of European Studies as scientific endeavor; central concepts, theories and approaches used to examine Europe scientifically. Partly, basic knowledge of and critical perspectives on the political, cultural, and societal development of Europe, in time and space, including the formation and growth of the European Union (EU). The course also contains a module where the students acquaint themselves with different forms of cultural expressions shaped in, and shaping and critically mirroring Europe, from the Enlightenment to the 20 the century.

Term 2:

• European Studies II: The Governance of the European Union and its Role in the World (ES200L), 15 credits, MAIN FIELD COURSE

The course builds on the first semester of the programme, which focuses on European historical development, history of ideas and the history of the EU. The course aims to develop further the knowledge and abilities of the students in analyzing and understanding the structures of European Union (EU) decision making and to examine the global role of the EU. For this purpose theories of European integration, of the role and interaction of different EU institutions, as well as policy processes in these institutions, and of the role of the EU on the international arena, are studied.

• European Law (GP103L), 15 credits, PROFILE COURSE

The course aims to provide basic knowledge of the systems of law in Europe, and how these are created and applied. The course introduces two systems of law: EU law; and the European system of human rights (the Council of Europe)

Term 3:

• European Studies II: European Studies Research Areas and Methods and Minor Thesis (ES260L), 30 credits, MAIN FIELD COURSE

The course has a key function for the main area of the programme of European Studies: departing from the first year studies it aims to present a number of research areas within European Studies, and to focus in on possible topics for thesis writing. In its second half the course provides knowledge and training in research methods, and furthermore practices the writing of a scientific thesis.

Term 4:

• Elective (e.g. exchange studies, internship, or specialisation courses), 30 credits

Term 5:

• Elective (e.g. exchange studies, internship, or specialisation courses), 30 credits

Term 6:

• European Studies III: Research Design and Bachelor Thesis (ES300L), 30 credits, MAIN FIELD COURSE

The course raises important theoretical, philosophical and methodological problems and perspectives connected to European Studies, knowledge that students then applies to the writing of an individual thesis. The course is concluded with an examining thesis seminar, in which the student acts as opponent on another thesis in the course, and defends their own thesis.

Programme contents

Semester 1, Autumn 2025

Semester 2, Spring 2026

Semester 3, Autumn 2026

Semester 4, Spring 2027

Semester 5, Autumn 2027

Qualitative targets

Knowledge and understanding

A graduate of the Bachelor’s Programme in European Studies:

• can demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of European Studies, including knowledge on the scientific foundations of the main field of study, relevant methods in the field, in-depth knowledge in a specific area of the field of study and is familiar with current research issues in the field;
• can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of processes of nation- and state-building in Europe, including the role of historical, functional and border regions, and how they relate to Europe’s historical, political, social, economic and cultural development;
• can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the European Union regarding its institutional framework, historical development, EU-law, policy-making, and relation to member states;
• can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structures of European space and its changes over time, including relevant theories and methods for analysing such processes;

Applying knowledge and understanding

A graduate of the Bachelor’s Programme in European Studies:

• can search for, gather, evaluate and critically interpret relevant data in a problem formulation and critically discuss phenomena, research questions and situations;
• has the ability to independently identify, formulate and solve problems within agreed timetables;
• is able to, in both orally and in written form, present and discuss information, problems and solutions in dialogue with other groups;
• show abilities needed to work independently in fields relevant to the education

Making judgments and communicating perspectives

A graduate of the Bachelor’s Programme in European Studies:

• can make judgements which reflect social, scientific and/or ethical issues relevant to European Studies;
• show insight on the societal role of knowledge, and the personal responsibilities of how knowledge is used, and
• has the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and continuous development of competences.

Degree

Bachelor of Arts with a Major in European Studies requires completion of 180 credits, of which at least 105 credits must be within the main field of European Studies and include a Bachelor's Thesis.

Additional information

The course syllabi state the entry requirements for admission to the next level within the programme.

A decision to discontinue a programme will result in the programme syllabus ceasing to be valid. However, students will have the opportunity to complete their studies within the nominal period of study (calculated from the last admission to the programme's first semester) and during at least the following two semesters, known as the ’discontinuation period’.

This programme syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.