European Studies course overview

Projects 

Learning through doing is the best approach and you’ll get straight down to business with practical assignments in the first year. The subjects you cover are also integrated into the projects so you get to put the theory straight into practice. 

• Intro to the EU part 1: gives you an introduction to the European Union that includes an overview of European history and European institutions. You’ll also work on developing your skills in effective studying, speaking skills, organising, reporting and project-based working. 

• Communicating between cultures: enables you to explore European identity and the cultures that form Europe 

• Policy and Politics: an introduction to international relations and interests that play a role at a global level 

• Intro to the EU part 2: gives more insights into the organisations active in Europe and teaches you about organisational structures, communication and economics 

Subjects 

The curriculum also includes the following subjects:  

• Presentation skills 

• European Institutions 

• Research 

• Personal Leadership 

• Introduction law 

• Cultural awareness 

• Debating skills 

• Lobbying & Strategy 

• Policy 

• European Economy 

You will develop your skills in effective studying, making conversation, structuring and reporting and project-based working as well as presenting. You’ll also work on Dutch, German, French or Spanish language and culture, including speaking and listening skills, idioms, grammar and European insights. In addition, you will learn English writing skills. 

Projects 

In the second year, you work with other students on various projects  covering policy and communications. 

• Comparative Perspectives on Europe: explores various aspects of law and focus on communication skills. You’ll expand your perspectives in intercultural communications and look at communication within organisations and the media. 

• Policy and its implementation in the EU: develop your own ideas on European administration and policy by critically examining the EU. You’ll finish the year with a practical project that involves doing research for a public affairs organisation that lobbies in Brussels. 

To help give you more insights into the EU and really get a sense of the atmosphere and how things are run, you will go on a field trip to Brussels, exploring the European capital and visiting European institutions such as the European Parliament. 

Optional courses 

You can take various optional courses during your degree that enable you to take subjects or do workshops you find particularly interesting or relevant to your career plans. You can even take subjects offered by other study programmes. 

Subjects include: 

• Intercultural Communication 

• Research 

• Personal Leadership 

• Interview skills 

• Media Communication 

• European Law 

• Human Rights 

• European Funding 

• Determining Strategy 

• Presenting Convincingly 

• European Policy & Governance 

• Geopolitics 

• Languages (English, Dutch, choice of Spanish, German or French) 

Studying abroad

In your third year, you will study at an international university or university of applied sciences. NHL Stenden has an extensive network of partner institutes in Europe and further afield.

Minor or internship

In this semester you take a minor, a subject you can later specialise in. Read more about the options available and where you can take your minors in the section below on minors and specialisations.  

By following a minor subject, you get to develop your knowledge in a subject given by your academy or a different academy. The Thorbecke Academy offers minors in subjects such as Immigration Policy, Politics & Public Administration, and Cyber Safety. The European Studies programme itself offers a minor in Cross-Border Migration, Governance and Security. If you have already earned enough credits, you can opt to do an internship. You’ll then work for a company operating in the field of European policy, legislation or politics and not only increase your work experience but also develop a useful network. You’ll also carry out research for an organisation of your own choice. 

Europe at a Crossroads

In this module, you get the chance to delve deeper into the issues and dilemmas at large in today’s Europe. You’ll discuss the future of Europe by covering subjects such as populism, nationalism, democracy, geopolitics and the possible enlargement of the EU. You will not only write a position paper but also carry out research in preparation for your graduation project.

Graduation

You’ll finish your studies by carrying out a graduation project during a final internship with a European-oriented organisation. You’ll carry out research and write, in English, about your findings in a dissertation. Your dissertation could, for instance, look into the influence of Dutch lobbyists in Brussels or be a study of international relations between European countries or regions.