Course overview

The MA at Portsmouth is an interdisciplinary degree which considers a wide range of themes in contemporary European affairs such as nationalism, security, governance and policymaking, democratisation in Eastern Europe and the external relations of the EU. The course includes study of the EU but also goes beyond this to look at the states of the former Soviet Union. Students also examine the relationship between Europe and the wider world.

Our MA European Studies will enable you to acquire the necessary advanced knowledge and skills which you can use to:

• enhance your employability by extending your area of expertise beyond that of your first degree
• deepen your existing knowledge of European Studies and specialise in particular areas such as security or policymaking
• make yourself stand out in an increasingly competitive job market by acquiring skills which show an ability to research independently and study a contemporary topic at an advanced level
• go on to more advanced research and doctoral study

The course at Portsmouth adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Europe. You will study themes such as nationalism and citizenship, integration, transition, democratisation and security. It also involves the advanced study of the European Union, its institutions, law and policy-making. However, unlike some other courses it goes beyond the EU by looking at a wider Europe (the former Soviet states), the relationship between the EU and the wider world (Africa, the Middle East, the US and Russia) and a variety of perspectives such as transnationalism.

The course is very much informed by research. Course staff are members of the Centre for European and International Studies Research, which was awarded a top rating of grade five (international quality) in the last Research Assessment Exercise. You will be able to participate alongside other postgraduates in the events run by the Centre such as seminars, lectures, conferences and the regular study days.

All students can participate in the activities of the Centre for European and International Studies Research along with other postgraduate masters and research students and staff. These include regular seminars and conferences.

Students also benefit from the MA course's links and exchanges with postgraduate European studies courses in other European universities - Maastricht, Aachen, Krakow, Trondheim and The Hague. This adds to the international atmosphere on the degree.

The University of Portsmouth is the largest centre for European Studies in the country. In the latest 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise Portsmouth was rated top for research in European Studies (Research Power Index). For this reason the MA European Studies is able to draw on a wide range of research expertise and is able to offer a very varied programme of units and approaches to the study of Europe. Staff teaching on the course are members of the Centre for European and International Studies Research.

Find out more

For more information about the course structure, career prospects and teaching and assessment please click on the links at the top of the page under 'More about this course'.

This course is run by the School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies. For an application pack and details of fees or to arrange an informal discussion with the course leader, please contact the Humanities Admissions Centre (details below).

Applications can be made at any time, but we prefer you to apply as soon as possible.

Course content

The units on the course are designed to provide a wide range of approaches to the study of Europe. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree means that students can combine political and contemporary history perspectives with those from international relations and area studies. While students can choose to specialise in the study of the EU the course also encourages the study of Europe in its wider sense including the former Soviet Union and Europe’s relations with the wider world.

The structure of core units and options on the degree is designed to maximise the ability of students to fashion a course which best suits their needs and interests. For example, if you wish you can choose to specialise in the area of European politics and governance or you can concentrate on Europe’s external relations and foreign and security perspectives. However, you can also design a more mixed selection.

Course structure

All students take the following core units:-

• European Union: Institutions, Law and Theories (Core)
• Dissertation/Major Project (Core)

They also choose 3 out of the following:-

• Europe: Integration and Democratisation (Option)
• Global Governance (Option)
• Nation and Identity in Europe (Option)
• Europe and the World (Option)
• Policy and Networks: The Governance of the EU (Option)
• Contemporary Security in International Relations: Providers and Challenges (option)
• Independent Project (Option)
• Work-based Learning (Option)

September to December:

European Union: Institutions, Law and Theories (Core)

This unit introduces students to the institutions, law and theories of the European Union. It equips them with the necessary tools for understanding the current European Union. It also forms a useful basis for the more specialized units on the operation of the EU and its policies - Policy and Networks: the Governance of the EU and Europe and the World.

Europe: Integration and Democratisation (option)

The unit will analyse significant developments, themes and debates in the history of Europe and the present-day European Union from 1945 to the present day. It will consider not only the development of the EU but the problems and causes of the collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe, the subsequent transition to democracy and the problems of the enlargement of the EU both for EU institutions and the new member states.

Global Governance (option)

This module introduces the main theoretical, institutional and normative controversies of global governance, and encourages the application of theory through a mixture of lectures and student-led research seminars.

January to March

Nation and Identity in Europe (option)

This unit examines the place of nationalism and national identity in contemporary Europe. It also analyses the related development of immigration and citizenship policies across Europe, examining the factors which have shaped and influenced their nature and progress.

Europe and the World (option)

Adopting an ontologically broad conception of Europe, and an interdisciplinary approach for its study, ‘Europe and the World’ examines Europe’s relations with the contemporary international and global order. In part 1 of the unit, students are introduced to key issues, themes and analytical approaches relevant to studying Europe’s relations with the wider international and global order. This provides the necessary preparation for part 2 of the unit in which students are required to develop specialised knowledge in the context of regionally focused and/or issue specific study.

Policy and Networks: The Governance of the EU (option)

This unit seeks, through 3 student-led, linked learning modules, to provide an experiential, comprehensive understanding of the EU policy making process. It reveals the inter relationship between supranational, transnational and intergovernmental structures of the process, and provides the opportunity for both a reflexive and theoretical appreciation of the EU policy complex.

Contemporary Security in International Relations: Providers and Challenges (option)

This unit examines the key issues, concepts and understandings of contemporary security politics in International Relations.

Independent Project (option)

This unit allows students to develop and carry out an independent research project which may result in a traditional essay or take other forms: country case study, policy analysis, and briefing on a contemporary issue. The precise nature of the artefact must be equivalent to a 4,000-4,500-word essay and must be agreed with the unit coordinator, who will provide guidance on possible topics/themes. The project will be particularly attractive for those wishing to develop interests outside of but relevant to the curriculum on taught units. It is not envisage that students would take this unit if the topic and assessment can be delivered equally effectively within one of the established taught units. The project must fall within the research expertise of current staff (information about staff specialism will be made available early in your studies). Students will be assigned a project supervisor who will be available for email and one-to-one tutorials. This option is very flexible as to tutor contact and may therefore be particularly attractive for students studying in part-time mode or students suffering from time constraints.

Work-based Learning (option)

This unit, by a process of negotiation and completion of a contract, will provide an opportunity for the student to develop a topic or area of interest within their sphere of work. The student will produce a work-based report which either has the object of suggesting improvements and developments in their work and organisation or centres on the analysis of a particular issue within or related to the work situation. The report will be expected to conform to the rigour of academic analysis in terms of research and presentation. It will also require elements of reflection on aspects of the work situation and the ability to locate this within a wider analytical framework. It will develop the required skills, knowledge and ability to negotiate a learning contract and to critically analyse a topic of interest to them and their organisation.

September to August

Dissertation/Major Project (Core)

This unit is designed to enable students to design and complete an extended advanced study which has clear and specific aims and intentions informed by current issues or insights at the forefront of the relevant academic discipline and/or area of professional practice. It will be necessary for students to undertake significant personal, independent research using a range of well justified and appropriately applied methods dependent upon the aims and focus of the dissertation/project. An initial proposal will contribute to the overall mark but the purpose of this artefact will be primarily formative

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is conducted through a combination of lectures and seminars. In addition, you will have access to staff on an individual tutorial basis. You will also be assigned a dissertation supervisor to support you in the research and writing of your dissertation.

Classes are timetabled in the afternoons and evenings. Depending on their option choices part-time students are usually able to structure their course so as to concentrate their studies on one and no more than two afternoons/evenings.

Assessment is normally in the form of an extended essay on a specific topic within a unit, allowing you to specialise on a subject that particularly interests you within the broad topic area of the unit.

Career prospects

The current processes of enlargement of the EU to the East and the further integration of the EU have meant that more than ever there is a demand for people with an advanced knowledge of European affairs and the workings of the EU. This applies to a whole range of areas such as business, local and central government and international institutions.

This course therefore provides an excellent basis for those seeking careers in such areas where a knowledge of European affairs is required. It can be used by students coming from a different background to gain the necessary expertise in European Studies or it can be used by those with an existing background to deepen their area of expertise with a particular career focus on European affairs in mind.

In addition the course provides advanced training in a range of transferable skills which can be applied in different areas of employment. Former students have gone on to work in various areas including local government, the UK civil service, foreign government and European institutions, teaching and further research as well as applying their expertise in the commercial sector.

Facilities and features

The MA is based in the School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The School is located on the historic Milldam site, a short walk from the main University Library.

The Library is open from 8am to midnight seven days a week (with reduced hours during vacations) and is a European Documentation Centre. The Library contains more than half a million printed books. You will also have access to some 16,000 online journals and are eligible to join the UK libraries plus scheme, which is a cooperative venture between higher education libraries that makes it easier for you to use academic libraries nearer to home or work. The MA European Studies also has a dedicated subject librarian to assist you.

You will have good access to computer facilities at the Library, the Milldam site and at the Park Building in the daytime and evenings.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MA European Studies are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8299
Email: humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk