Bachelor of European Studies
KU Leuven
Key Information
Campus location
Leuven, Belgium
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
Study European societies, values, and institutions in a truly international, multilingual, and interdisciplinary joint program, offered in the framework of Una Europa.
In this unique joint program, organized by eight research-intensive universities within the Una Europa alliance, you study the fundamental aspects and values of the European Union as well as European states and societies. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, you reflect on the role of Europe in the world and master research skills to analyze key issues related to Europe. Through our extensive mobility program, you will not only learn about Europe but also experience, live, and grow in an international setting.
Key trademarks
Truly international
You choose two to three destinations out of eight countries. An optional winter school allows for additional short-term blended mobility. Immersing yourself in different European cultures, you will develop transversal skills that are high in demand both in domestic and international work environments.
Truly multidisciplinary
After a joint multidisciplinary curriculum, you choose a major and a minor out of seven fields of study, benefiting from the in-house expertise of all partner universities. You are also encouraged to take up an internship in order to enrich your professional experience.
Truly multilingual
In addition to English, you master a second European language, gaining a clear added value on the European labor market.
Truly you
Thanks to the many options, you can tailor the program to fit your needs, interests, and aspirations.
Ideal Students
Your Profile
- Are you interested in Europe?
- Do you want to know more about Europe’s past and present? Have you ever thought about the relationship between Europe and other parts of the world?
- Do you look for a program that provides you with truly multidisciplinary knowledge of Europe?
- Are you also looking for a program which offers you tailor-made disciplinary specializations in philosophy, law, economics, history, politics, international relations, and linguistics, and which prepare you for your future studies?
- Do you want to benefit from truly transnational European mobility and take courses in up to three different outstanding European universities during your bachelor studies?
- Do you like to study with other students from all over Europe and the world?
- Do you consider a future career in the context of international organizations, the European Union, national public services and diplomacy, the private business sector, think tanks and interest groups, or non-governmental organizations?
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available, Please visit the university website for more information kuleuven.be/scholarships.
Curriculum
Program
The program (180 ECTS) spans over three years, divided into six semesters.
- In semesters 1, 2, and 3, you follow the truncus communis (92 ECTS), including introductory courses to various disciplines, multidisciplinary courses on Europe, a methodology track, and language courses.
- In semesters 4, 5, and 6, you choose a major and a minor module (78 ECTS) and you develop a bachelor's thesis (10 ECTS).
Semester 1 | 32 ECTS
- European Cultures and Societies | 10 ECTS
- Language | 4 ECTS
- Introd. to History | 6 ECTS
- Introd. to Politics | 6 ECTS
- Introd. to Economics | 6 ECTS
Semester 2 | 32 ECTS
- Introduction to Economics of the EU | 4 ECTS
- Language | 4 ECTS
- Introduction to Law | 6 ECTS
- Introduction to Philosophy | 6 ECTS
- Quantitative & Qualitative Methods | 6 ECTS
- Research Track 1 | 6 ECTS
Semester 3 | 28 ECTS
- European Integration | 10 ECTS
- Introduction to EU Law & International Law | 6 ECTS
- Introduction to International Relations | 4 ECTS
- Research Track 2 | 8 ECTS
Semester 4| 30 ECTS
- Elective Course 1 or Internship | 6 ECTS
- Elective Course 2 | 12 ECTS
- Elective Course 3 | 12 ECTS
- Semester 5 | 30 ECTS
- Elective Course 4 | 18 ECTS
- Elective Course 5 or Elective Course 5a & Internship | 12 ECTS
Semester 6 | 28 ECTS
- Elective Course 6 | 18 ECTS
- Bachelor Thesis Laboratory | 4 ECTS
- Bachelor Thesis | 6 ECTS
Specializations
You choose one major module for up to 60 ECTS (= Elective Courses 1 - 5) and one minor module for at least 18 ECTS (= Elective Course 6) out of two different fields of study:
- Law
- Politics and International Relations
- Sociology, Communication, and Education
- Business and Economics
- Philosophy
- History
- Languages and Culture
Each university offers different modules, so your university choice and specialization choice are linked.
Mobility
Throughout the program, you will be enrolled in a 'start university' and a second (and third) university, depending on the pathway you choose.
- Semesters 1 & 2: You always reside in your start university.
- Semester 3: you either stay at your start university (blue pathway) or you already go to your second university (red pathway).
- Semesters 4 & 5: You always reside in your second university.
- Semester 6: You either stay in your second university or go to a third university. If you chose to go to your second university in semester 3 (red pathway), then you can also choose to return to your start university in semester 6.
This way you will always reside at least three semesters away from your start university.
Destinations
Your start university is always one of the degree-awarding partners:
- KU Leuven
- Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- Uniwersytet Jagiellonski w Krakowie
Important: your start university does not have to be located in your own home country. If you are eligible for the program, you can start in every one of these four universities, depending on the admission requirements of each start university.
Your second (and third) university is one of the degree-awarding partners or one of the following mobility partners:
- Freie Universität Berlin
- Helsingin Yliopisto/Helsingfors Universitet
- Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- The University of Edinburgh
Program Outcome
Credits: 180 ECTS
The Bachelor of European Studies grants access to multiple master's programs in Social Sciences, Cultural Studies, Arts, Economics, Law and Philosophy, depending on which university you will enroll in.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Future Perspectives
The Bachelor of European Studies gives access to different master's programs in Social Sciences, Cultural Studies, Arts, Economics, Law, and Philosophy.
As a bachelor of European Studies, you will have a deep understanding of the complexities of Europe and European organizations, which have become ever more important in the context of ever-deeper European integration and globalization. In addition, through intra-European mobility, acquired language skills, group work in a multicultural context, students will develop transversal skills.
Therefore, you will be ideally placed to take on key positions in an ever more attractive job market:
- European organizations
- National and subnational public services
- Transnational consultancy and lobby groups
- National economic sectors
- Cultural sectors
- Journalism
- & many more
Program delivery
The courses are taught in English.