The MA programme in European Studies is an interdisciplinary postgraduate course taught in English. Over the course of four semesters of study, students follow courses in various fields: political, social, cultural and economic. The MA programme in European Studies offers six specialisation tracks (listed below). Also thanks to a wide network of university partners in Europe and in the world, students have a unique opportunity to pursue double/joint/multiple degree programmes.
There are the following specialisation tracks:
Central and Eastern European Studies
Central and Eastern European Studies: Research Track
EU Studies
Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies – CEERES
Europeanisation and Governance in Central and Eastern Europe
Studies in the Holocaust and Totalitarian Systems
Objectives
The programme aims to provide students with interdisciplinary knowledge, information and expertise concerning European affairs. It builds understanding of a political, economic and cultural character of both the region of Central and Eastern Europe and the European integration project.
Tracks
» EU Studies
This track focuses on the EU and European institutions, policies and processes. Students develop a Central European perspective on the European integration, benefitting from the expertise of researchers and practitioners, and engaging in a discussion on current issues, challenges and opportunities that the European Union faces.
» Central and Eastern European Studies
This track immerses students in the politics, history, society and culture of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It is geared towards social scientists wanting to investigate concepts of identity and democracy from a philosophical, historical and political perspective, as well as those interested in Central and Eastern European debates on migration, citizenship, gender, religion, memory or heritage.
» Central and Eastern European Studies: Research Track
The track combines the study of Central and Eastern Europe with research skills and professional training. This track allows students to connect the knowledge gained during the specialized courses on identity and democracy, integration theory, gender, citizenship, social minorities, religion, culture and language in CEE with those acquired during methodology and research management workshops.
» Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies – CEERES
The track focuses on the wider region of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Eurasia in an interdisciplinary context. Students learn about the region from a political, historical, economic, social and cultural perspective. Combining the field of European Studies with a broader analysis of the region provides the students with an in-depth understanding of contemporary processes taking place on the larger Eurasian continent.
• Europeanisation and Governance in Central and Eastern Europe
The Europeanisation and Governance track aims to provide students with knowledge of the processes of Europeanisation and democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe. The specialisation is designed to build understanding of integration mechanisms and the structure and functions of European Union institutions, as well as focus on contemporary challenges to European unity.
• Studies in the Holocaust and Totalitarian Systems
This track outlines the genesis of national and religious conflicts in the contemporary world, the mechanisms used to create the structure of a totalitarian or authoritarian state. It explores the formation of racist and anti-Semitic prejudices in a historical and present-day context, as well as the memory of the Holocaust in modern European society. Particular attention is paid to the Polish perspective and experience with totalitarianisms during the 20th century, the Nazi and Soviet regimes, and the fate of Jews in Central and Eastern Europe.
Testimonials
ARTEM (Ukraine): Studying at CES has equipped me with knowledge of the institutional foundations of the EU and the main strategies and approaches of its foreign policy. Therefore, it has substantially complemented my research on Ukraine's democratic transition and its foreign policy, providing me with the opportunity to see a full picture of ‘external-internal factors' interplay in Ukraine's long-lasting political transformation.
KATARINA (Croatia): I spend the second year of my Erasmus Mundus Programme attending the European Studies track at CES. I chose this programme/track as I wanted to gain in- depth knowledge on the EU affairs. In addition, I have studied in Poland before, so I was sure that I was making the best decision as to the country of destination for my second year. In my opinion, the value of this programme is the fact that the study of the EU affairs is done from the perspective of the Central and East European Countries. In this way, I would argue, I benefited by having a different perspective to the area of European studies.
NINO (Georgia): CES has changed my life and shifted a lot my views on the outside world. It gave me a possibility for a new start in my life. A big part of CES experience is people you meet, experiences you get together outside of a classroom and great memories you have for the rest of your life!
Courses/structure
In the course of the studies students are required to earn a total of 122 ECTS points from:
courses from the programme's curriculum,
two semesters of language (Polish at various levels and/or French, German and Russian for beginners),
workshops in methodology, academic writing and speaking,
optional internship (compulsory for CEE: Research Track)
MA seminar and thesis.
Entry requirements
All candidates must either hold (or expect to obtain) a BA degree from a recognised and accredited university or an equivalent undergraduate (first-cycle) degree earned in countries where BA degrees are not offered. The diploma (or supplement) should include information about the candidate's eligibility to continue education on graduate (MA) level in the country of issue. If such information is not provided, additional statement from the candidate should be submitted.
Candidates possessing a MA degree may also apply. A degree in a relevant subject area is preferred; however, all candidates who can demonstrate interest in European Studies are encouraged to apply.
Candidates whose first language is not English are required to prove their English language proficiency with a recognised certificate documenting command of the English language on a level specified by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. This does not apply to English native speakers, as well as graduates of study programmes where the language of instruction was English.
Candidates who do not have a language certificate at the stage of submitting the application may request an interview which will verify their level of competency in the English language. To successfully pass the interview, the student must earn at least 60% of total points.
Qualification rules
The final admission result is calculated on the basis of the result of the analysis of documents submitted by the candidate. Candidates are additionally formally required to pass an interview verifying their command of the English language (or present document confirming the command of English, recognized at the Jagiellonian University).
Detailed information can be found in respective study card in Online Application System.
Fees
The application fee is 85 PLN.
Tuituion fee for UE citizens
European Studies (6 trakcs): 3 450 EUR/year (6 900 EUR/programme)
European Studies, Double Degree (Consortium of Jagiellonian University and Kobe University): 3 450 EUR/year (6 900 EUR/programme)
European Studies, Double Degree (Consortium of Jagiellonian University and Universidade Catolica Portuguesa): 4 000 EUR/programme
Tuituion fee for non-UE citizens
European Studies (6 trakcs): 4 250 EUR/year (8 500 EUR/programme)
European Studies, Double Degree (Consortium of Jagiellonian University and Kobe University): 4 250 EUR/year (8 500 EUR/programme)
European Studies, Double Degree (Consortium of Jagiellonian University and Universidade Catolica Portuguesa): 5 000 EUR/programme
Graduate's profile
The programme in European Studies offers specialist formation in the field of European integration and the functioning of the EU institutions, which gives graduates an opportunity to seek employment in units of state and local administration, education, media, non-governmental organisations, as well as international institutions, especially those linked to European integration. The regional profile equips the graduate with the understanding of the quickly developing area of Central and Eastern Europe, which prepares the graduate to work in diplomacy, political, economic and cultural institutions, as well as in business.