The Bachelor of Arts in European Studies focuses mainly on Europe (including Britain) since World War II. The degree focuses on the foundations of modern Europe, bearing in mind its long history and how this has shaped contemporary European societies. It also considers the innovative aspects of recent developments, particularly the possibilities for cooperation and unity as well as the tensions between diverse traditions.

Completion requirements specify that students undertake the following:
(a) a major in Contemporary Europe; and
(b) a major in a European language other than English; and
(c) twelve first-year units in either Political Science, History, Sociology, English, Philosophy or Art History; and
(d) eighteen designated later-year units in the same discipline area as (c) or in any of the Modern European Languages; and
(e) twelve first-year and eighteen later-year units of their choice.

Students are advised to consult the Coordinator in order to see whether there may be other courses that cohere especially well with the courses of their choice. It may be advisable to enrol in such courses even if they are not listed as designated.

Aims of this named degree are to enable students:

• to gain perspectives on the social, political and cultural forces that operate in contemporary Europe
• to read, understand and speak a European language (other than English)
• to obtain a grounding in one of the following disciplines: Political Science, History, Sociology, English, Philosophy or Art History.

To achieve these aims we offer courses

• in European institutions, politics, history and society
• which combine acquisition of language skills with the study of politics, society and culture
• prepared by specialists in various disciplines located in departments within the Faculty of Arts.

Students whose language major is offered outside the Faculty of Arts must complete a major within the Faculty.

Detailed outlines of the core courses and specification of the designated courses in the Contemporary Europe major can be found within the major under the Majors or Specialisations heading below.

The normal requirements for the degree are shown in the table below.

While the degree in European Studies is founded on the Contemporary Europe Major and a Language Major, it enables students to choose from a wide range of offerings in the Faculty of Arts.

It is also possible, in addition to the Contemporary Europe major and the language major, to do a third major. This can be done by selecting free units so that together with the 42 disciplinary units they make up a major.

None but there may be prerequisites or levels of assumed knowledge for individual subjects particularly science and language subjects.