European Studies examines the significance of Europe through history, languages, literatures and cultures, focusing on processes of change, including migration, war and integration. Students study one language: French, German, Italian or Spanish, and will develop their language skills and spend at least one trimester at a partner European university in their third year.

First Year

Modules include:

• Approaches to European Studies 1
• Modern Europe
• Rome to Renaissance: Medieval Europe
• German History on Screen
• Renaissance Italy
• French Fictions
• Language modules

Second Year

Modules include:

• Approaches to European Studies 2
• Islam & Christianity
• Early Modern Europe
• The Cinema of Almodovar
• The Enlightenment: An Introduction
• Post-War: Europe since 1945
• Radical Thinkers
• Intercultural Communication
• Language modules
• Internship

Third and Fourth Year

In your third year, you will study abroad for a trimester or year to develop your language skills and immerse yourself in a new culture. If you study abroad for a trimester, you then have a range of options that will enable you to broaden your horizons and enrich your academic experience:

• Apply for a competitive internship in an area that interests you and relates to your area of study
• Deepen your knowledge by studying a dedicated range of European Studies modules. Modules include: Transcultural Encounters, Weaponizing the Word: Media & Conflict in Pre-Industrial Europe
• Italian Women Writers • Environment & Power in Modern Russia, Versailles: Power, Politics & Spectacle, The First World War, Genocide & Mass Violence, Language modules

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

Students will spend part of their third year abroad with opportunities available in universities across Europe.

"Studying European History at UCD has provided more learning opportunities than I ever imagined. One of those experiences has been the wonderful ERASMUS programme, which developed my language skills, while broadening my cultural horizons and international peer group."

Mairead Barrett, Student