Programme Structure

ESPS allows students to choose between taking one major language, one major and one minor language, and two major languages.

Click here for the list of languages and here for the list of humanities/social science specialisms.

There is a maximum of two languages throughout the degree.

One major language

First year

2.0 units in language department (of which 0.5 unit minimum is literature)1
1.0 unit Introduction to European History, Law, Philosophy and Politics
1.0 unit in humanities or social science

Second year

1.5 units in language department
2.5 units in area of specialisation

Final year

1.0 unit in language department
1.0 unit ESPS Dissertation
2.0 units in area of specialisation

Two major languages

NB. Russian cannot be taken as one of two major langauges.

First year

3.0 units in language departments (1.5 units in each department, of which 0.5 unit minimum is literature)
1.0 unit Introduction to European History, Law, Philosophy and Politics

Second year

2.0 units in language departments (1.0 unit in each department)
2.0 units in area of specialisation

Final year

2.0 units in language department (1.0 in each department)
1.0 unit ESPS Dissertation
1.0 unit in area of specialisation

One major and one minor language

First year

2.0 units in department of major language (of which 0.5 unit minimum is literature)
1.0 unit in minor language either in language department or Language Centre2
1.0 unit Introduction to European History, Law, Philosophy and Politics

Second year

1.5 units in department of major language
There is no obligation to continue the minor language but if so:
1.0 unit in minor language
1.5 or 2.5 units in area of specialisation

Final year

1.0 unit in department of major language
1.0 unit ESPS Dissertation
2.0 units in area of specialisation

1 Students taking a full Economics specialisation will be required to take courses to the value of 1.5 units in the department of their major language and courses to the value of 1.5 units in the Department of Economics in their first year.

2 Dutch, German, Italian, Russian, and Scandinavian languages may be taken from beginner’s level or post A level in the respective departments. French and Spanish may be taken post A level in the respective departments, or from beginner's level or pre A level in the Language Centre.