Europe specialisation studies (60 cr)

Europe specialisation studies provide a diverse, multi-disciplinary study programme that examines Europe as a whole from the perspective of area and institutions, with focus on a wide and thorough understanding of Europe as an area and phenomenon.

>> Apply for Europe specialisation studies from 1st April from 9.00 to 19th April 16.00

The selection will take into account the stage of the applicant's studies and the number of studies relevant to European studies.

It is central during the studies to build broad competence that is based on latest research in the multidimensional field of European politics, history, economics and jurisdiction. Although the European Union (EU) is discussed in several courses, this study programme emphasises the study of Europe and integration instead of pure EU research. This provides students alternative ways to conceptualise EU from very different points of view

Learning objectives

Europe specialisation studies form a multi-disciplinary study programme that aims to provide students comprehensive knowledge about the key areas of Europe and the European Union. Special focus is on advancing the knowledge and skills that support the students’ ability to:

  • gather, process and adopt information from a variety of very different sources;
  • recognise relevant information using scientific analysing methods and process that information into knowledge that supports reaching the goals that have been set;
  • use project management tools to successfully manage simultaneous ongoing projects;
  • independently produce different kinds of analyses and present information to different target groups and on different platforms;
  • understand the relationship of current events in the European context by widely utilising research data;
  • function in multicultural communication environments by recognising and considering features of multicultural communication;

Specialisation studies also support the student’s own major subject studies by providing knowledge and competence related to multidisciplinary studying and research. The studies aim to help students perceive and deepen their viewpoints of their own major subject studies through the lens of understanding Europe as a whole.

Contents of the study programme

Europe specialisation studies are in total 60 credits. In addition to compulsory introductory, theory and research method courses (minimum 10 cr) and language and communication studies (minimum 10 cr), the students take a total of 40 credits of thematic studies from at least two different subareas. A more detailed description of the studies is in Appendix A.

The official teaching languages are Finnish, Swedish and English. Studies may be provided in other European languages as well.

Career opportunities

As a diverse and multi-disciplinary study programme, Europe specialisation studies provide good qualifications for applying for positions at the EU as well as at many other sectors that require a deeper understanding and competence specifically related to Europe. Such positions are, for example, different leadership or specialist positions in governing bodies and organisations (state, municipalities, political parties, unions, local organisations), international positions (embassies, foreign affairs at organisations, business, development co-operation, UN), positions in communication (media, government, business sector, organisations) as well as different research and specialist positions at universities and other institutions of higher education, private and state run research organisations and think tanks.