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B.A. European Studies

Degree awarded Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Duration and credits 6 semesters; 180 ECTS credits
Starts in April (summer semester) and October (winter semester)
Language of instruction German; includes modules taught in your chosen languages

Discover cultures, languages and Europe

If you are excited about different countries, languages, cultures and academic disciplines, the B.A. European Studies offers you fascinating insights: this programme is international, interdisciplinary, multilingual and customisable.

Studying this degree programme, you will place two foci on social and cultural disciplines that deal with Europe. You will specialise in one European cultural region and two foreign languages and deal with European topics from the perspective of multiple disciplines. You will also acquire intercultural skills during your studies and in a compulsory study visit abroad.

For details, please consult the Academic Advice Service's infosheet [German content].

Elena's experience

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Elena, a current student, talks about her experience on the course

Features of the B.A. European Studies programme:

  • Give your studies an individual academic profile by choosing your own areas of focus
  • You will choose two languages out of nine European languages offered by the Language Centre as subject-specific language programmes (focused on either cultural studies or business/economics)
  • Gain work experience in a compulsory internship
  • This programme is also offered as B.A. European Studies Major – a four-year bachelor's programme with an integrated full year of study abroad.

Career prospects

Those graduating from the B.A. European Studies or B.A. European Studies Major programme are needed wherever knowledge of Europe or specific cultural regions and their relations to one another, their societies, institutions and cultures is required.

Depending on the modules you choose in your degree programme, you can start your career in different areas: The public sector, national and supranational institutions and organisations are potential employers, as are foundations and companies, for instance in the tourism and advertising sectors, as well as cultural organisations or education providers.

This bachelor's degree qualifies you for career entry-level positions as well as master's-level study to broaden and consolidate your knowledge.

Programme details

The degree programme comprises four module areas and the bachelor's dissertation.

Module area A: European introductory modules

The European introductory modules convey the foundation for understanding the political and legal systems of Germany and the European Union. In addition, you will gain an overview of topics related to European culture, philosophy and intercultural communication.

Module area B: European cultural studies

You will choose one of the following cultural areas: English studies, French Romance studies, Spanish studies or Slavic studies. Within your chosen cultural area you will acquire knowledge in cultural studies, linguistics and literature.

Module groups B and C form the two specialisations of your degree programme, whereby you can determine the weighting yourself. You will write your Europe-focused bachelor's dissertation in one of your chosen focus areas.

Module area C: European social sciences

You will study one of the following subjects from the perspective of Europe and its societies and institutions: history, sociology, political science, geography, art history or philosophy.

Module groups B and C form the two specialisations of your degree programme, whereby you can determine the weighting yourself. You will write your Europe-focused bachelor's dissertation in one of your chosen focus areas.

Module area D: European languages and praxis

As part of the degree programme, you will study two of the following foreign languages:

English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Czech or German as a Foreign Language.

This module group also includes a compulsory visit abroad.

Students on the B.A. European Studies programme can choose between:

  • a three-month internship abroad or
  • a two-month internship plus study abroad.

Students on the B.A. European Studies Major programme spend at least two semesters studying at a foreign university and additionally complete a three-month internship abroad.

This degree programme starts in the October (winter semester) and April (summer semester) each year.

With Abitur or European qualifications

Prospective students with a higher education entrance qualification from Germany or the EEA region (e.g. German Abitur or the Austrian Matura) can enrol directly for this degree programme during the enrolment period.

You will need German language skills at level C1 CEFR or higher to study this degree programme.  If German was the language of instruction for your secondary school education or prior tertiary education, your academic certificates suffice as proof of your language skills. Otherwise, you will have to provide a recognised German language certificate along with your application for a place of study.

If you can provide recognised certificates for German language skills at level B2 CEFR at the time when you apply for a place of study, you may receive a conditional offer. In that case, you will be required to provide a recognised language certificate at level C1 CEFR by the time you enrol on the degree programme. 

If you would like to learn German or advance your language skills, the University's Language Centre and its  German Courses Passau division offer a variety of German language classes. However, if you would like to apply for a place of study on one of the University's German-taught degree programmes, you must meet the stated language requirements before you apply.

What students say

Szonja Nagy

Szonja Nagy

B.A. European Studies student

European Studies offers the perfect combination of language, cultural studies and humanities, the lectures and seminars are varied and you will always find a course that really interests you. 

Lynn Apelt

Lynn Apelt

Student B.A. European Studies

Passau as a university city is great. You can reach everything on foot and nature is right around the corner.

Colin von Ciriacy-Wantrup

Colin von Ciriacy-Wantrup

Student B.A. European Studies

You can feel the internationality every day on campus and in the city.

See also

If you are interested in European cultures and languages, these degree programmes might also be worth checking out:

Questions?

The Academic Advice Service is the first port of call for all enquiries related to studying at the University!

Drop us a line: advice@uni-passau.de

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