European Studies-good or worthless degree?

Well if you've got the smarts why not just study politics? That in my opinion it would be alot more useful and its respected. If you were going up for a job and you had a European Studies degree that means your skill set is narrow compared to that of a Politics student.

Reply 2

Truman

3

It depends what you want to do after. A lot of jobs dont require specific subject degrees so if your real interest lies in european studies go study it at a good uni and im sure you'll do really well and enjoy the course.

Im sure you would go into enough depth to make it rewarding to learn.

Reply 3

Wicked_Witch_of_the_West

OP

Finally some action in this thread - thnx guys :biggrin:

Personally, I would like to do a degree in European Studies because it gives you knowledge in languages, law and european politics etc - actually I thought it was quite a wide degree - Ezekiel, why'd you say it's narrow? If you know smth I don't, please share :smile:

The thing is, I would like to do a ES degree with a background in Law and later apply to a master in law - do you think this is a good idea :s-smilie:

Reply 4

your better of doing politics or international relations or both if possible. Yes law would be good, but i stil think its a bit too narrow, but you could specialise in international law, entirely depends on what you want to learn about. I'd go for:
Law
Politics
IR
Pol+IR

Reply 5

anna2

1

European Studies is not a degree with a narrow skills set as suggested. Within European Studies you study across three or four different disciplines at the same level as single honours students in each of the departments in which you study. European Studies opens up a wide range of career opportunities such as diplomacy, international institutions within the European Union and other government organisations, finance, marketing, law, journalism, publishing, translation and interpreting, teaching and international business. Definitely a worthwhile degree.

Reply 6

florie

where are you going to attend european studies?? i'm thinking about to apply for the master in european studies (www.europenmaster.net) but i have already a law degree...
yesterday i finally spoke with a girl who attended this master last year: now she and a lot of her mates are working in bxl!! cool, no??

Reply 7

rosy123

2

i was looking at european studies, because i liked the fact that i could choose which elements of the course i wanted to study, and i liked the diversity and the chance to continue learning german, however, upon speaking to my ucas advisor, he said that despite the various skills you may pick up on a broad course, it just doesn't strike employers as amazing, for whatever reason that may be, so i settled on P+IR in the end which i was also considering. (and following my recent german lessons, i think its advisable i give foreign languages a miss from now on!)

Reply 8

Wicked_Witch_of_the_West

OP

rosy123

i was looking at european studies, because i liked the fact that i could choose which elements of the course i wanted to study, and i liked the diversity and the chance to continue learning german, however, upon speaking to my ucas advisor, he said that despite the various skills you may pick up on a broad course, it just doesn't strike employers as amazing, for whatever reason that may be, so i settled on P+IR in the end which i was also considering. (and following my recent german lessons, i think its advisable i give foreign languages a miss from now on!)

Hmm... I see... I was actually concidering the course inj Aberdeen Uni, with a background in EC Law, but now I'm totally confused :confused:

But after completing the Undergraduate I should be able to opt for a postgrad in International or European Law, so perhaps (hopefully) it is not as bad as it looks :redface:

And still I am dreaming to meet smb who has graduated from European Studies - anyone know where I could meet up with these kind of ppl :p:

?

Reply 9

IR would be better methinks.

Reply 10

oblivious

EU politics is so dull, everybody who does euro pol here absolutely hates it

Reply 11

I think global issues, middle east, africa/asia stuff is alot more interesting, though a tad difficult.

Reply 12

jjarvis

14

Any pol/IR course you take in the UK will necessarily have some focus on EU politics, both as it relates to Britain and to the wider world, and you should be able to take modules relating more specifically to politics. Did you ever think about doing Politics and German, or IR and German (despite your recent tribulations)? Finally, if you apply in Scotland you'll have more room for outside, European-studies related courses in your first and second years.

Reply 13

anna2

1

rosy123

i was looking at european studies, because i liked the fact that i could choose which elements of the course i wanted to study, and i liked the diversity and the chance to continue learning german, however, upon speaking to my ucas advisor, he said that despite the various skills you may pick up on a broad course, it just doesn't strike employers as amazing, for whatever reason that may be, so i settled on P+IR in the end which i was also considering. (and following my recent german lessons, i think its advisable i give foreign languages a miss from now on!)

Unfortunately I must disagree with the person who advised you about European Studies degrees not being highly regarded by employers. If it wasn't highly regarded, students would not be able to go into the very successful careers that they actually do. European Studies graduates who go on to postgraduate degrees (e.g. International Relations, Law etc.) study at the most prestigious institutions, so it really is incorrect advice you have been given.

Reply 14

Wicked_Witch_of_the_West

OP

jjarvis

Did you ever think about doing Politics and German, or IR and German (despite your recent tribulations)?

I did, but in the end I finally went for European Studies :smile:

Anyway, I can change my ES degree to another one related to it before the end of my 2nd year of studies, so I'll still have some time to finally decide what do I like more :cool:

Reply 15

Jenii

European studies is not at all worthless, and much better respectede than politics- the main reason being the LANGUAGES involved.

The best graduate prospects are for students with, you may be surprised, maths and languages.

European studies is interesting and more useful and well respected than most arts degrees.

Reply 16

Ezekiel

Francypants

European studies is not at all worthless, and much better respectede than politics- the main reason being the LANGUAGES involved.

The best graduate prospects are for students with, you may be surprised, maths and languages.

European studies is interesting and more useful and well respected than most arts degrees.

Are you serious lol?

Reply 17

Jenii

Ezekiel

Are you serious lol?

Yes, politics is seen as a pretty fluffy degree by a lot of people (no disrespect, I have applied to do it myself because I find it interesting).

European studies is basically politics (albeit EU politics mainly, but still the same kind of stuff you'd study on a politics degree) AND languages, which are really well respected and we have a huuge shortage of language grads in Britain.

The name 'European Studies' doesn't sounds that fantastic as it's a newer course than the more traditional politics courses, but it's becoming more well known and when employers understand the nature of the degree they're impressed.

Another benefit of the degree is the year abroad, whoch shows maturity and confidence to employers, and is fun!

OP: UCL has a few really good degrees (European Studies and SOREL), Trinity Dublin has a great European Studies program. Other places you could look into are Edinburgh, Kings, Queens, RHUL, Leeds, Sussex, and anywhere that does combined honours in politics and languages (Durham's combined arts is a winner).

Reply 18