Bachelor of Arts in European Studies

Study European societies, values and institutions in a truly international, multilingual and interdisciplinary joint programme, offered in the framework of the unique university alliance of Una Europa.

In this unique joint programme, organised by nine research-intensive universities within the Una Europa alliance, you study the fundamental aspects and values of the European Union as well as European states and societies.

Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, you reflect on the role of Europe in the world and master research skills to analyse key issues related to Europe. Through our extensive mobility programme, you will learn about Europe and experience, live and grow in an international setting.

Four key characteristics of the Bachelor of European Studies

• Truly international: You study at two to three destinations out of nine countries. The winter school allows for additional short-term blended mobility. Immersing yourself in different European cultures, you will develop transversal skills that are high in demand both in domestic and international work environments
• Truly multidisciplinary: After a joint multidisciplinary curriculum, you follow a major and a minor out of seven fields of study, benefiting from the in-house expertise of all partner universities
• Truly multilingual: In addition to English, you learn a second European language, gaining a clear added value in the European labour market
• Truly you: Thanks to the many options, you can tailor the programme to fit your needs, interests and aspirations.

The programme (180 ECTS) spans over three years, divided into six semesters.

In semesters 1, 2 and 3, you follow the truncus communis (92 ECTS), including introductory courses to various disciplines, multidisciplinary courses on Europe, a methodology track and language courses.

In semesters 4, 5 and 6, you follow a major and a minor module (78 ECTS) and you develop a bachelor's thesis (10 ECTS). In some specialisations, you can replace one course from the major module with an optional internship (6 ECTS). You follow one major module for up to 60 ECTS and one minor module for at least 18 ECTS out of two different fields of study.

Year One

First Semester

The study programme may change slightly every year. The official study programme that applies to the year in which you are studying can be consulted from 15 July onwards in KU Leuven's online programme catalogue, which is best viewed on a large screen.

• European Cultures and Societies
• Introduction to Economics
• Introduction to History
• Introduction to Politics
• Languages (choose one out of six): Dutch, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish

Second Semester

The study programme may change slightly every year. The official study programme that applies to the year in which you are studying can be consulted from 15 July onwards in KU Leuven's online programme catalogue, which is best viewed on a large screen.

• Introduction to Economics of the EU
• Introduction to Law
• Introduction to Philosophy
• Languages (choose one out of six): Dutch, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish
• Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
• Research Track I

Mobility

Mobility is central to the BAES programme, and it is at the heart of the joint offer that institutions have in this programme. Throughout the programme, you will be enrolled in a 'start university' and a second (and third) university, depending on the pathway you receive.

• Semesters 1, 2 & 3: you always reside in your start university, unless your major specialisation requires otherwise (= exception).
• Semesters 4 & 5 (major): you always reside in your second university.
• Semester 6 (minor): you either stay in your second universe, go to a third university you return to your starting university.

Student Profile

• Are you interested in Europe?
• Do you want to know more about Europe’s past and present? Have you ever thought about the relationship between Europe and other parts of the world?
• Are you looking for a program that provides you with truly multidisciplinary knowledge of Europe?
• Are you also looking for a program which offers you tailor-made disciplinary specializations in philosophy, law, economics, history, politics, international relations, and linguistics, and which prepare you for your future studies?
• Do you want to benefit from truly transnational European mobility and take courses in up to three different outstanding European universities during your bachelor studies?
• Do you like to study with other students from all over Europe and the world?
• Do you consider a future career in the context of international organizations, the European Union, national public services and diplomacy, the private business sector, think tanks and interest groups, or non-governmental organizations?

As a bachelor of European Studies, you will have a deep understanding of the complexities of Europe and European organizations, which have become increasingly important in the context of ever-deeper European integration and globalization. In addition, students will develop a full suite of transversal skills acquired through intra-European mobility, language skills, and group work carried out in a multicultural context.

You will therefore be ideally placed to take on key positions in a wide variety of leading international companies and organisations. In addition to Europe-focused organizations, European studies graduates are attractive candidates for national and subnational public services, transnational consultancy and lobby groups, national economic sectors, cultural sectors, and news organizations.

Further Study

The Bachelor of European Studies grants access to multiple master's programs in Social Sciences, Cultural Studies, Arts, Economics, Law, and Philosophy, depending on which university you will enroll in.

Master program opportunities after BAES:

• KU Leuven
• Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
• Universidad Complutense de Madrid
• Uniwersytet Jagiellonski w Krakowie
• Freie Universität Berlin
• Helsingin Yliopisto/Helsingfors Universitet
• Université Paris 1 de Panthéon-Sorbonne.

The courses are fully taught in English.

• Credits: 180 ECTS
• Degree Type: Bachelor
• Specifications: Bachelor of Arts.

What sets us apart as a university?

A highly-ranked university

KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.

Research-based education

Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their research. In our FabLab, students can use several high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.

Affordable tuition fees

Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programs as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.

International student life with respect for diversity

According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student center is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.

Learn more about why you should choose KU Leuven.

KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program

KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.