European Studies (Including Foundation Year) BA (Hons)
University of Essex
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews of 15 graduates of European Studies (Including Foundation Year) BA (Hons) and other courses in Liberal Arts (Non-Specific) at University of Essex for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Liberal Arts (Non-Specific).
Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.
All Liberal Arts (Non-Specific) courses of University of Essex
Course Description
Our five-year BA European Studies (including foundation year), will be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entrance requirements for the four-year version of this course and you want a programme that increases your subject knowledge as well as improves your academic skills in order to support your academic performance.
This five-year course includes a foundation year (Year Zero), followed by a further four years of study including a study abroad year. During your Year Zero, you study three academic subjects relevant to your chosen course as well as a compulsory academic skills module, with additional English language for non-English speakers.
You are an Essex student from day one, a member of our global community based at the most internationally diverse campus university in the UK.
After successful completion of Year Zero in our Essex Pathways Department, you progress to complete your course with our Interdisciplinary Studies Centre.
Switch on the news any day of the week, or pick up just about any national newspaper, and you will be sure to come across an item on Europe. It is clear that the future of Europe is a geo-political question of profound importance for the future of the world we live in. Yet, few of us truly understand the complex phenomenon that is modern Europe.
In European Studies, you'll explore Europe’s economic, legal, and sociological context, as well as its historical origins and develop an understanding of Europe’s rich cultural traditions. The artists, writers, musicians, composers and film-makers of Europe have exerted a cultural influence that even now is not eclipsed by the dominance of America on the world’s stage.
Based within our Interdisciplinary Studies Centre (ISC), European studies is a subject that approaches the complex idea of Europe via a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. We have expertise in modern languages, literature, film, history of art, history, politics and sociology, with experienced staff in all disciplines. Our five-year course means that you can spend your fourth year in Europe, learning a second language and immersing yourself in European cultures.
Here at Essex, our teaching and research in European studies offers maximum flexibility for you to study areas that interest you, so you can pursue a wide range of topics including:
- European identity and the development of the EU
- Representations of non-Europeans in art
- Europe’s colonial history
- Religion in Europe
- EU law
The study of Europe is vital for ongoing discussion of what Europe’s future ought to be; a discussion that will profoundly affect every European citizen. Through a course in European studies, you can acquire the knowledge, skills and experience to make an active contribution to one of the most important political and cultural processes of the century.
Essex is top five in the UK for social science research (REF 2014).
Jobs & Career Perspectives
15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.
All Combined and General Studies courses of University of Essex
Current jobs
All courses of University of Essex
Required skill level of job after 15 months
All Liberal Arts (Non-Specific) courses of University of Essex
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of European Studies (Including Foundation Year) BA (Hons) at University of Essex
| 45% | Business, Research and Administrative Professionals |
| 15% | Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation |
| 10% | Welfare and housing associate professionals |
| 5% | Business and public service associate professionals |
| 5% | Secretarial and related occupations |
| 5% | Administrative occupations |
| 5% | Teaching Professionals |
| 0% | Media Professionals |
| 0% | |
| 0% | Artistic, literary and media occupations |
Entry Requirements / Admissions
UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Liberal Arts (Non-Specific)
All Liberal Arts (Non-Specific) courses of University of Essex
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
-
- 6.5
- Graduate Degrees
-
- 6.0
- Undergraduate Degrees
Costs
Tuition Fees European Studies (Including Foundation Year) BA (Hons)
| England UK | £9250 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | year 1 |
| Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
| EU | £19500 | year 1 |
| International | £19500 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
Fees displayed are for 2024-25 entry. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.
Average student cost of living in the UK
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
August 1, 2025
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- Foundation
UCAS application code:
R008
University Rankings
Positions of University of Essex in top UK and global rankings.
See all 31 university rankings of University of Essex
About University of Essex
The University of Essex, is a public, research university where curiosity prevails and thinking outside the box isn’t just encouraged, it’s expected. Based in the county of the same name, Essex, the main campus is located in Wivenhoe Park, near Colchester. It is home to the university’s three faculties, Humanities, Science & Health and Social Sciences, as well as a very large community of local rabbits, and other small fauna typical of the English countryside.
List of 921 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Essex - Course Catalogue
Student composition of University of Essex
-
Total number of students enrolled at University of Essex by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 12070
- postgraduates:
- 3690
- Total:
- 15760
-
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “European Studies”: 205 Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught
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City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Politics, Sociology and East European Studies with a Year Abroad BA (Hons) | University College London | - | - | - | £9250 | £26200 | - | London |
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European Studies with Spanish (Including Foundation Year) BA (Hons) | University of Essex | - | 5% | 10% | £9250 | £19500 | 92 | Colchester |
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Polish and East European Studies (4 years) BA (Hons) | University College London | - | - | - | £9250 | £26200 | - | London |
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Ask a Question to University of Essex
- General Information
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- Please inform me about dates of open days / information sessions for European Studies (Including Foundation Year) BA (Hons)?
- Scholarships / Funding
- What scholarships / funding options are available for this programme?
- Programme Dates & Deadlines
- Can I still apply for this programme?
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- Student Accommodation
- Which student halls are available to students in European Studies (Including Foundation Year) BA (Hons)?
- What are the costs of the student halls?
- Do you guarantee a place in your student halls?
- Tuition & Fees
- How much does this programme cost?
- When do I have to pay the tuition fees?
- Can I pay for this programme in installments?
- Grade requirements (international students)
- What are the minimum grades you require from applicants of my country?
- English requirements for international students
- Can you confirm the minimum required IELTS score for this programme?
- What other proof of my English level do you accept?
- How to Apply
- What documents are required for applying to European Studies (Including Foundation Year) BA (Hons)?
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