MA Contemporary European Studies ('Euromasters' and 'Euromasters with Trans-Atlantic track')

Programme

Due to high demand, we are no longer able to accept applications to the 'Euromasters with Trans-Atlantic track' programme (Specialist Module 1 at the University of Washington, Seattle). All other sites options for the main 'Euromasters' programme are still available and we welcome applications.

Qualifications and durations

• Full-time MA (24 months)

Overview

The Euromasters programmes offer a genuinely outstanding and unrivalled international learning experience, qualifying graduates for a wide range of top jobs in European and international institutions.

The programmes are unique, in that students study at two or three different sites chosen from a group of prestigious world-class institutions, together with students from a wide range of different countries.

Sites within the Euromasters Consortium available to study at include:

• University of Bath
• Freie Universität Berlin
• Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
• Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
• Sciences Po Paris
• Charles University, Prague
• Università degli Studi di Siena
• University of Washington (Seattle)

The Euromasters website contains more information about the programme and the consortium.

Students will gain a broad comparative understanding of European Union (EU), US politics, policy and social evolution as well as specialist knowledge of key issues in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Students take two taught semesters at one or two partner sites, after the opening Core Module at Bath, followed by the completion of a 15,000 word dissertation, to be submitted by September in the second year.  

Students who successfully complete the programme will receive an MA degree which is jointly awarded by the University of Bath on behalf of the Euromasters Consortium and which is fully recognised in the countries of all participating universities and throughout the EU and beyond.

Programme structure

Semester one (September – January) - Core module - University of Bath (compulsory)

Semester two (February – June) - Specialist Module one -  Students select one location from: 

• University of Bath
• Berlin
• Paris
• Prague
• Seattle

Semester three (September – January) - Specialist Module two - Students select one location from:

• University of Bath
• Berlin
• Madrid
• Paris
• Siena

Semester four (until September) - Research Dissertation - Choose to be supervised from:

• University of Bath
• Berlin
• Madrid
• Paris
• Siena

View programme catalogue for further information.

Please note that:

• The programme catalogue and units listed above are applicable for the 2011/12 academic year only and should be treated as an example of theprogramme content. Students beginning or continuing their studies in 2012/13 and beyond should not assume that later years of a programme will be in the format displayed here for 2011/12.
• Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
• Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.

Learning and teaching

The Euromasters programme is a truly international experience with regard to teaching, learning and living.

Our programmes are modular, consisting of self-contained units, taught and assessed on a semester basis. As you progress through each semester and successfully pass the examinations, you will receive credit for the units, thus providing you with a clear indication of your academic progress.

Teaching takes the form of lectures, classes and seminars. Lectures are quite formal, whereas classes and seminars involve interaction between the lecturer and a small number of students for study skills and discussion.

Teaching methods will vary across the consortium according to cultural practices.

Methods of assessment

Assessment consists of a combination of coursework essays, class exercises, projects, oral presentations and examinations.

We also place strong emphasis on developing presentation and discussion/communication skills which, in many units, is part of the assessed work.

Careers

The Euromasters programmes are highly regarded by employers for the depth and breadth of knowledge and analysis that they purvey. The hands-on international experiences graduates gain is valued highly.

Graduates from these programmes have been employed all over the world in a wide variety of international organisations, multinational corporations, public bodies or policy-formulating institutes. Some of these include:

• American Investment Council, Berlin
• British Broadcasting Corporation, London
• Canadian-German Chamber of Industry & Commerce, Montreal
• Carrefour, Taiwan
• Citibank, London
• Daimler-Chrysler, Berlin
• The European Commission, Brussels
• France Telecom, Paris
• General Electric, Leeds
• Forum Europes Cultures, Brussels
• International Herald Tribune, Paris
• International Union of Railways (UIC), Paris
• Microsoft, Dublin

Many students have also proceeded directly to doctoral research.

Entry requirements

A good Honours degree, or equivalent, in an appropriate subject, for example European studies, politics, history, economics and sociology. Students are expected to be fluent or near-fluent in English.

Applicants must demonstrate clear evidence of ability to work academically at the appropriate level in the language of instruction at their chosen Specialist Module sites.  Language of instruction at the sites are as follows:

Location & Language of instruction

University of Bath - English

Freie Universität Berlin - German

Humboldt Universität zu Berlin - German

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid - Spanish

Sciences Po Paris - French

Charles University, Prague - English

Università degli Studi di Siena - English

University of Washington (Seattle) - English

As students are able to determine their programme of study, so that all semesters are taught and examined in English, we welcome applications from students who do not have German, French or Spanish competency.

The Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies in considering applications, will take the following into account:

Extended and responsible experience in a relevant field in commerce, or industry, or in teaching, or in a government establishment, together with authorship of papers or other work of an acceptable academic standard, e.g. published translation.

English requirements

IELTS 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components).

TOEFL 580 (paper-based test) or 237 (computer-based test) with a score of not less than 4 in TWE or 92 (internet based test) with at least 21 in Writing, 21 in Listening, 22 in Reading, 23 in Speaking.

Fees

See the Tuition Fees Schedule.

Following an offer we require a £250 deposit to secure your place. The deposit is offset against your course fees.

Funding

The Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Graduate School provides guidance on potential sources of funding (studentships and scholarships) for postgraduate students.

How to apply

View our how to apply section for further information.

Guidance for applicants

Please ensure that you provide a full online application, having uploaded all the following documents (with authenticated translations into English if the originals are in your native language):
For items 2 to 5 (below), please remember to scan both sides of your documents.

1. Completed application form.
2. Scan of degree certificate(s) already awarded (undergraduate and postgraduate).
3. Scan of transcript(s):

• with results to date, and,
• if you are in your final year, a list of current subjects being studied, and,
• if this is your final transcript, it must state that the qualification has been awarded).

4. Scan of English language certificate (obtained within two years of the start of the course).
The English language certificate does not need to be provided by native English speaker and students who completed their 3-year undergraduate degree in English speaking country.

5. Scan of two References

• at least one must be an academic reference 
• the second reference may be someone who knows you in a relevant work context - character or personal references are not acceptable; 
• all references must be a scan of the signed and dated letter, on official letter headed paper. 
• We strongly recommend you notify your referees of your application before you apply.

6. An up to date CV - including clear evidence relating to academic excellence,  your achievements, and the high quality of the institutions where you have studied or worked (or mitigating factors if lower quality).

Contact
Dr David Galbreath (Director of Studies)
Ms Rebekah Hole (Programme Administrator)
Email: polis-euromasters@bath.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1225 386178
Fax +44 (0)1225 386099
Web: www.bath.ac.uk/polis

Our Research

Experts from our department are publishing regularly in the most highly ranked international journals and we have consistently achieved top results in official Research Assessment Exercises (RAE).

Our academic expertise and research activities are organised into three broad Research Clusters:

• Conflict, Security & International Order
• Governance, Citizenship & Policy
• Norms, Identities & Representations

International collaboration

Many staff are internationally leading scholars in their field. We are involved in a wide range of research activities, including collaborative projects at both national and international levels.

Projects are funded by a variety of bodies such as:

• Economics & Social Research Council (ESRC)
• European Commission Framework Programme
• Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Stimulating cutting edge research

Our diversity and the disciplinary mix of political science, political theory, policy analysis, social anthropology, political sociology and others make for a very stimulating environment for students to develop their own research projects.

The integration of our research community is further enhanced through the International Relations & European Politics (IREP) postgraduate group.

Keywords: Europe, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Translation, Conference, Liaison, Interpreting, Conference Interpreting, public service interpreting, Chinese, Liaison Interpreting, public speaking, CI, SI, LI, PSI, 通訳、翻訳、会議通訳、逐次　

About the Department

The Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies (PoLIS) is one of the largest departments in the University.

Many staff are leading scholars in their field and are involved in a wide range of research activities, including collaborative projects at both national and international levels.

International and industrial links

• Our department has links with 22 Erasmus partner institutions, as well as universities in Russia and Mexico.
• Research students regularly engage in fieldwork abroad, especially in the countries of the European Union, but also in Russia, Latin America and the United States.
• Students on the Euromasters programme study at two or three different sites in either Europe or the USA.
• In the case of the MA Interpreting & Translating and the MA Translation & Professional Language Skills, a number of work placements in Western Europe are made available to students in the language services of international organisations, government departments and commercial enterprises.

Careers

Our graduate prospects have been consistently ranked among the best in the UK.

Our wide-range of programmes enables graduates to find employment in many different fields. Some examples include:

• Diplomatic service
• Media
• Academia
• International organisations
• Multinational corporations
• Policy-forming institutes
• The language services of the United Nations and European Union

Many of our undergraduate programmes include a year abroad or placement year. These are highly valued by employers and will give you an edge in the competitive job market when you graduate.

Faculties

• Specialist interpreting laboratories
• Language laboratories
• Online international TV streaming service
• Self Access Language Centre (SALC)
• European Community and European Union publications
• Extensive local archive collections relating to research programmes in French and German politics
• Departmental film library

Centres

Our Foreign Languages Centre offers a wide range of language courses at different level that students can also choose to follow.

The English Language Centre provides Academic English classes and support for international students.