Home

European Studies: European Society MA

London, Bloomsbury

Develop regional expertise and skills across subject areas through this interdisciplinary degree. The European Studies: European Society MA enables you to gain a detailed understanding of European thought, society, history and politics, ideal for pursuing careers in research, governmental and non-governmental agencies. Taught at the UCL Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry (CMII), you’ll gather crucial transferable skills too.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£35,400
£17,700
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 27 Mar 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this course is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The European Studies: European Society MA, aims to provide a solid theoretical grounding and encourage students to look at different types of historical and social-scientific inquiry. It offers the opportunity to experiment with new ways of integrating the interpretation of literary texts, art and film in their study of history and society.

This course comprises of one compulsory module, which is designed to work as a postgraduate-level foundation and provide you with the specific skills and knowledge to research, write academic essays and the dissertation. 

This core module will build your knowledge of theoretical issues in European history and literature, and help you identify areas of interest for further study.

You will also have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules and complete a dissertation. These modules allow you to explore diverse topics within cultural studies, deepen your understanding of European society, and engage critically with key historical and social concepts.

If you choose the 60-credit dissertation, you take 90 credits of optional modules. If you choose the 90-credit research dissertation, you take fewer optional modules (60 credits), in favour of writing an extended dissertation to focus on your own interests. Further details on optional module choices can be found on our Postgraduate Modules page. 

Who this course is for

The course is designed for students who wish to pursue a wide range of interests within a flexible combination of core and optional modules. The interdisciplinary structure of the degree will appeal to students who wish to be introduced to new and intellectually demanding areas of European Studies.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The UCL Centre for Multidisciplinary & Intercultural Inquiry (CMII) offers graduate students the opportunity to investigate Europe in its entirety, from European integration and public policy to European cinema and poetry.

The central London location offers easy access to the British Library, British Museum, Institute of Germanic and Romance Studies, German Historical Institute, Goethe Institut, Institut Français, and other similar research and cultural centres.

Less than three hours away from Brussels and Paris, and with such a wide range of resources, this is a highly favourable location for the study of Europe.

Supervision and teaching is available from world-leading researchers from the UCL School of European Languages, Culture & Society (SELCS) and CMII, with 83% of SELCS-CMII research activity being graded 4* ‘world leading’ and 3* ‘internationally excellent’ in the REF 2021.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Previous graduates of the European Studies MA (all pathways), have used their extensive knowledge and understanding of European institutions, policies and society to obtain positions in policy and government. The high level of interdisciplinary training and research skills offered by the course have equipped others for positions as researchers in UK and European universities, museums and non-governmental agencies.

Popular career paths for SELCS & CMII graduates include publishing, journalism or translation (20.7%), health and social care (10.6%), teaching and education (10.1%), IT and technology (5.9%), PR, advertising and marketing (4.8%), accountancy and financial services (2.2%) and media (8.7%)*. 

Employers of SELCS & CMII graduates include KPMG LLP, BBC, TransPerfect Translations Ltd, Alzheimer’s Society, British Library, The Guardian, NHS Healthcare Trusts, international and UK Government. *

Some graduates pursue careers that make special use of their cultural knowledge or language skills, including working for translation services or in industry such as Charities, NGOs and international development (3.1%), while others continue with academic research and HE (4.5%).*

*Graduate Outcomes Survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017 - 2022 cohorts.

Employability

MPhil and PhD degrees often follow on from a Master's course; both the Taught and Research pathways of the MAs offered by CMII are intended to allow this type of progression, as well as standing as degrees in their own right. Outside academia, they aim to prepare students for potential careers that may include business, commerce, teaching, public relations, or journalism. 

The emphasis on written and verbal communication, and collation and presentation of research and analysis, has provided transferable skills for work in varied roles across the public, private and charitable sectors. Our graduates are highly valued by employers for their interdisciplinary skills and linguistic and cultural knowledge. Transferable skills include intercultural understanding, communication skills, and analytical rigour.

Networking

Our location offers students access to special collections at UCL and other world-class libraries nearby such as Senate House and the British Library. These resources, besides their collections of books, articles, videos, sound recordings and non-public online resources, offer a wide range of seminars, lecture series and other opportunities to exchange ideas. Other libraries and research centres within walking distance of campus include the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies, Institute of Historical Research and The Warburg Institute.

UCL Careers also offers a range of services, providing access to skills development, recruitment and networking events.

Teaching and learning

You will gain experience of writing essays and training in conducting original research and applying the appropriate methodology. Demonstrating intellectual flexibility by engaging with a diverse range of subject areas and disciplinary approaches.

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and private study. Term 3 is devoted to revision sessions and the dissertation project.

Students are assessed by a variety of methods, which may include coursework, presentations, written essays, unseen examinations and the research dissertation. Teaching sessions are interactive, with a limited amount of lecturer presentation and an emphasis on student participation and critical discussion.

For a full-time postgraduate course, typical contact hours vary between 8-10 hours each week during term time, depending on module choices, and include lectures, seminars, practice-based activities and e-learning activities.

You will also display a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the course.

For a part-time postgraduate course, contact hours would usually be 4-6 hours per week across 2-3 days and we recommend around 10-12 hours of independent study per week.

There is minimal teaching during Term 3, as students focus on the dissertation and other assessments.

Modules

You will take a total of 180 credits and choose either a dissertation taught pathway (60 credits) or a dissertation research pathway (90 credits).

During the academic year, you will take one compulsory module. This core module sets the foundation for the whole MA, preparing you for further learning and for your dissertation. You will also choose 90 credits of optional modules (usually six 15-credit modules). On the research pathway, you will take 60 credits of optional modules (usually four 15-credit modules).

During Term 2, in addition to your taught modules, you will start to formulate your dissertation proposal. Planning and research will continue into the third term, when you will develop your dissertation outline and structure in discussion with your supervisor. You will give a presentation of your dissertation project to your peers and tutors. This is a non-assessed compulsory element of the MA.

You will then spend the summer researching and writing your dissertation with the support of your supervisor. On the taught pathway, your dissertation will be 12,000 words, and on the research pathway, your dissertation will be 18,000 words.

In Year 1, you will take one compulsory module, and 30 credits of optional modules (usually two 15-credit modules), which set the foundation for the whole MA, preparing you for further learning and for your dissertation.  You will also begin to formulate your dissertation proposal.  You will develop your outline and structure in discussion with your supervisor and begin to research your dissertation.

In Year 2, you take a further 60 credits of optional modules (usually four 15-credit modules spread across both terms), to develop your broader understanding and build on key concepts introduced in the first year. On the research pathway, you will take a further 30 credits of optional modules (usually two 15-credit modules).

In the third term, you will give a presentation to your peers and tutors on your dissertation project. This is a non-assessed compulsory element of your MA. You will then spend the summer of Year 2 researching and writing your dissertation with the support of your supervisor. On the taught pathway, your dissertation will be 12,000 words, and on the research pathway, your dissertation will be 18,000 words.

Compulsory modules




Optional modules


Multidisciplinary Social Research





Black Europe



Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Two pathways are offered: Taught and Research. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in European Studies: European Society. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in European Studies: European Society.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £35,400 £17,700

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

The department strives to keep additional costs low. Additional costs may include expenses such as books, stationery, printing or photocopying. Students receive a free printing allowance each year and pay for any additional printing (see details), while books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL library as hard copies or via e-journal subscriptions. 

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study European Society at graduate level
  • why you want to study European Society at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this course
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of this course
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this course match what the course will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry
Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry

selcs-cmii.enquiries@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.