European Social and Political Studies BA
London, Bloomsbury
European Social and Political Studies BA (2024)
This challenging, flexible and diverse programme offers specialisation in any one of ten humanities and social science subjects, combined with a broad base in European history, law, philosophy and politics, and fluency in a European language. Year 3 is spent at a European university.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2023Application deadline
25 Jan 2023UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- A*AA
- Subjects
- A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A* required for full Economics specialism if chosen. French or Spanish required at grade A if one of these is to be studied as major language.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- A*AB or AAB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A* required for full Economics specialism if chosen. French or Spanish required at grade A if one of these is to be studied as major language.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
- Points
- 39
- Subjects
- A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Higher level subjects to include French B, or Spanish B at grade 6 if either of these is to be studied as a major language. A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) at higher level preferred. Mathematics at grade 7 at higher level is required for the full Economics specialism, if chosen. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 36 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 17 in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Higher level subjects to include French B, or Spanish B at grade 6 if either of these is to be studied as a major language. A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) at higher level is normally preferred. Mathematics at grade 7 at higher level is required for the full Economics specialism, if chosen. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades A*AA. French or Spanish at A grade required if taken as major, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A* required for full Economics specialism if chosen.
A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher). French or Spanish required at Advanced Higher if taken as a major language, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A1 required for the Economics specialism, if chosen.
D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. French or Spanish required if taken as major languages, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at D2 required for full Economics specialism if chosen.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Additional tests
Thinking Skills Assessment
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 4
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
Introductory modules in the first year allow you to develop your interests and identify an area of specialism for later years. Your modules then fall into three groupings: interdisciplinary core module, language (and culture), and a specialism in the humanities or social sciences.
The interdisciplinary core module involves gaining insights into a range of academic disciplines and engaging critically with competing analytical perspectives.
You will undertake language study throughout the programme, selecting one language, or in some cases two, on which to concentrate.
Your third year is spent abroad, in a country where your choice of major European language is spoken. In your final year you return to UCL to continue with advanced modules in your language(s) and your humanities/social science subject and also write your dissertation under the supervision of a member of staff.
The major European languages that you can study include: Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian/Croatian, Spanish, Swedish and Ukrainian
You may also take a second language as a minor language from those listed above, as well as choose from a wide range of other languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, Mandarin, Yiddish, Classical Greek or Latin.
What this course will give you
Benefit from UCL's world-class teaching system and the insights of its renowned humanities, language and social sciences scholars, and from the expertise of their European counterparts.
A year abroad at a continental university - exchange places with partner universities include Berlin, Bordeaux, Brussels, Freiburg, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Seville and Rome.
Undertake a dissertation on an independently chosen research topic, with specialist supervision.
Wide-ranging employability: approximately 15% of ESPS graduates have gone into European, international or British politics, 20% into law, business and commerce.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in European Social and Political Studies.
Modules
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.
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Introductory modules in the first year allow you to develop your interests and identify an area of specialism for later years. Your modules then fall into three groupings: compulsory modules, language (and culture), and a specialism in the humanities or social sciences. The first year compulsory module involves gaining insights into a range of academic disciplines and engaging critically with competing analytical perspectives. You will undertake language study throughout the programme, selecting one language, or in some cases two, on which to concentrate. Your third year is spent abroad, in a country where your choice of major European language is spoken. In your final year you return to UCL to continue with advanced modules in your language(s) and your humanities/social science subject, and you also write your dissertation under the supervision of a member of staff.
The major European languages that you can study include: Danish, Dutch, French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. You may also take a second language as a minor language from those listed above, as well as from a wide range of other languages, including Albanian, Arabic, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Classical Greek or Latin, Czech, Estonian, Finnish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Mandarin, Polish, Romanian, Serbian/Croatian, Slovak, Slovene, Ukrainian and Yiddish.
Your learning
Your timetable will involve a programme of lectures, seminars, language tutorial and workshops. As well as the core modules and modules designed specifically for ESPS students, you will choose options in other departments according to your area of specialisation. This gives you access to a range of UCL's successful teaching approaches.
Approximately 25% of a student's time is spent in lectures, 25% in seminars or tutorials and the remaining time is dedicated to independent study.
Assessment
Your work will be assessed by written examination, assessed coursework and presentation.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
ESPS graduates combine specialised knowledge of a humanities or social science with a broad foundation in European philosophy, law, history and politics and importantly, proficiency in another language or languages. In addition, they gain independence from a year studying abroad. In particular, students are able to demonstrate their aptitude for research by writing a dissertation.
This unique combination yields a significant advantage when it comes to securing funding for further research or getting a foothold on a competitive career ladder.
Outside academia, potential careers may include politics, law, business, commerce, teaching, public relations, journalism or IT.
Employability
ESPS gives you the wide-ranging employability of graduates in PPE or international relations, but with the added maturity of a year abroad, and the advantage of fluency in a European language – essential for anyone seeking a career in an international context, and increasingly valuable for the financial sector or media posts.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £26,200 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2023/24 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.
Additional costs
Students will spend their third year studying abroad which may incur additional costs.
In addition, please note that if you wish to study abroad during your programme at UCL, this is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
You should state clearly on your UCAS application which modern European language you wish to study as your major language. Please state both if you are taking two major languages. It is not necessary to state the minor language if you choose one. Further information about the languages offered and their specific requirements can be found on our website.
There is a two-stage selection process for this programme. The first is based on your UCAS application, which we use to select candidates for the second stage, our online Thinking Skills Assessment Test (TSA). A limited number of exceptional candidates may be given an offer on the basis of their UCAS application alone, during the first stage of selection.
Got questions? Get in touch
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