European Studies aims to inspire in-depth exploration of the rich and varied histories and cultures of Europe, equipping you with core transferable skills in research, analysis and communication.  In taking this four-year BA pathway, you will investigate the significance of Europe through its histories, languages, literature and cultures, with a focus on processes of change, including migration, war and integration. Proficiency in modern European languages is essential, and as such you will develop and hone your fluency either in: French, German, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese. You will also spend either one semester or a full academic year at a partner European university immersing yourself in the country’s culture and language.  This pathway has been established to take advantage of the very substantial research strengths across the University in European Studies and is intended to offer an introduction to the opportunities and challenges of interdisciplinary study.

To promote your own interdisciplinary journey, you will take survey and more specialised modules from across the College of Arts and indeed the University.  In your first two years, you will take an Approaches course intended to introduce you to different disciplinary methodologies and techniques.   You will take courses on offer in the Schools of History and in the Schools of Languages; the former will give you a grounding in European history from the middle ages to the present day; the latter will develop your skills in one modern language, but also allow you to explore texts and themes more deeply.  However, you will also be encouraged and expected to take advantage from the wide variety of course options on offer from music to politics, and classical studies to art history.  In your third year, you will participate in the Erasmus scheme for at least a semester and hopefully a full year at one of UCD’s partner universities.  In your fourth year, under the supervision of a member of the academic staff of the College, you will write a dissertation in the field of European Studies – using sources in English and at least one other European language.

Our English graduates have found employment in: Business Consultancy, Diplomatic Service, European Commission, Journalism, Marketing, NGOs, Policy Analyst, Public Relations, Radio/TV Producer, Translating and Interpreting.

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of taught MA Programmes in the fields of Arts and Humanities, such as: MA in European History, MA in Modern Languages, MA in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics, MA in Public History, MA in International War Studies, MA in Cultural Policy & Arts Management. Graduates are also prepared for MPhil and PhD study. See www.ucd.ie graduatestudies

Stage 1: Students should take 55 credits plus 5 elective credits. In addition to 15 credits of core modules, students must also choose a 15 credit language block, plus 25 credits of options.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students should take 50 credits plus 10 elective credits. In addition to 10 credits of core modules, students must also choose 15 option credits in History, plus 20 option credits in Languages, plus a minimum of 5 credits of further option modules. When selecting Language credits, students should choose four modules, all of which must be selected from the SAME language block. Students can choose to take extra option modules as electives if they wish.

All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

All European Studies students are strongly encouraged to spend at least one trimester studying abroad. Students who remain in UCD for the full year should take 50 programme credits plus 10 elective credits.

Instructions for full year UCD Students not on an exchange or on an internship (or combination):
- Select a minimum of 30 credits of European History modules: this can be EITHER 3 x 10 credit modules OR 2 x 10 credit modules plus 2 x 5 credit modules
- Select a maximum of 10 credits of European Social Science modules: 2 x 5 credit modules or 1 x 10 credit module
- Select a maximum of 10 credits of Language modules - students can take 3a and 3b language modules for their European language to complete the core language requirements for the degree.You can also complete these in stage 4.

Instructions for one-trimester UCD Students in UCD for either Autumn or Spring:
- Select a minimum of 15 credits of European History modules: 1 x 10 credit module AND 1 x 5 credit module
- Select a maximum of 5 credits of European Social Science modules: 1 x 5 credit module
- Select a maximum of 5 credits of Language modules [NOTE: Students in UCD for one trimester only should take a language-subject literature or cultural module. Language 3a and 3b modules will be taken at stage 4 to complete the language requirements for the degree]

Extra option modules from your programme can be taken in place of your electives if you wish.

European Studies Stage 4 Options

All students are required to take 60 credits at stage 4: 50 credits from your programme and 10 elective credits. There are three options at stage 4 as follows:

OPTION 1: HISTORY DISSERTATION OPTION: Students who choose the History dissertation option at stage 4 will take a 5-credit research skills autumn module and a 15-credit spring Dissertation. In addition, students must also take their level 3a and 3b language core modules, one 10 credit History option, one 5-credit History option, and one 5-credit language option. Students also have a 10-credit elective allowance to use as they wish but can substitute their elective credits to choose options from their programme instead.


OPTION 2: LANGUAGE DISSERTATION: Students who choose the language dissertation/capstone option at stage 4 will take a 10-credit language dissertation. In addition, students must also take their level 3a and 3b language core modules, one 10-credit History option, one 5-credit History option, two 5-credit language options, and one 5-credit European Social Science Option. Students also have a 10-credit elective allowance to use as they wish but can substitute their elective credits to choose options from their programme instead.

OPTION 3: NO DISSERTATION: Students can choose not to take either dissertation option and instead take modules. Students who take modules must take their level 3a and 3b language core modules, 20 credits of History (this can be 2 x 10 credit modules, or, 1 x 10 credit HIS module and 2 x 5 credit HIS modules), two 5-credit language option modules, and 10 credits of European Social Science Options (this can be 1 x 10 credit modules, or, 2 x 5 credit modules from the European Social Science list)


All students should take care to balance their workload across the autumn and spring trimesters. The recommended workload split is 30 credits per trimester.