Department of European & International Studies

The BA European Studies programme is a degree for those with an interest in European politics, history and institutions who want to develop their knowledge in a European context with the opportunity to study in-depth the politics, society, language and culture of a major European country (France, Spain or Germany).

Our programme is an interdisciplinary degree in the politics, history, and culture of modern Europe; it draws on the expertise of a number of departments at King’s as well as the courses offered by the College’s prestigious partner institutions in Barcelona, Berlin and Paris (depending on the pathway chosen). From the beginning, the programme has been linked to the London School of Economics and Political Science, where you are able to choose options in the area of economics and economic and social policy. We attract a high number of applications from very capable and motivated students from across Europe and beyond. It is the quality of the students as much as that of the staff which makes for a uniquely stimulating and enriching environment for learning about modern Europe. The programme is part of Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in ‘European Law and Governance’ awarded by the EU to King’s in September 2009.

Language plays a particular role within the programme in that it is seen primarily as a tool to further the study of the politics, culture and society of the given country of study. Although the linguistic standards demanded of you are very high, this is not seen as the most important skill acquired on the programme. A much higher premium is put on an ability to analyse and to develop an argument. Many students are bi- or trilingual while others arrive with a much lower level of language than this. Experience has shown that students with the skills to cope with the demands made of them elsewhere on the programme have little trouble in meeting the linguistic challenges set them both in London and abroad where modules are taught and examined in the ‘host’ language. Here the mix of students is very important as the influence of native or near-native speakers has a positive effect in raising language levels.