Europe and the World Double MA - Postgraduate MA/MSc courses

Study the innovative Europe and the World Double MA course at Aston University and Sciences Po Lille, to get an internationally-oriented understanding of European and global affairs.

Location: Aston University, Birmingham and Sciences Po Lille, France

The Europe and the World Double MA course at Aston is an innovative, two year masters programme taught in Birmingham and in Lille, France.

You will develop skills in critical analysis of contemporary European integration in both English and French language and further your practical skills in European issues through undertaking an EU-focused internship during your second year.

You will spend the first year at Aston University in Birmingham in the UK, and the second year at Sciences Po Lille, France, benefitting from a multicultural teaching environment and the combined expertise and experience of teaching staff at two prestigious institutions.

What youll learn

As a student on the Double MA in Europe and the World, you will be able to tailor make the course to suit your interests and future career goals. The core modules focus on providing you with a broad understanding of the important developments within the European polity. Youll analyse the evolution of the EU, the role of European institutions, recent trends in European politics, economics and society, and the impact of European integration at both national and supranational levels.

Youll also examine the process of European political and economic cooperation up to the present day and beyond; particularly, Europes growing role as an international actor. Within this framework, issues looked at will include the European Unions Common Foreign and Security Policy and its role as mediator in international conflicts such as the Gulf War, Middle East, and the former Yugoslavia, with a particular emphasis on the war on terrorism, Iraq, and intelligence co-operation, as well as the Unions positioning vis-à-vis the United States, particularly since the latest EU enlargement.

Youll explore Europe as an economic power and her relations with its immediate neighbours, its major partners such as the US, Japan and South-East Asia, particularly in the age of the euro, and its role in Third World development and global environmental issues. While analysing these issues, you will evaluate what the trends appear to be, in the context of globalisation and world developments.

Throughout your masters course, you will benefit from active membership of the Aston Centre for Europe, a thriving research hub which organises debates, study visits, and conferences and seminars on current international issues.

Modules

Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

2:1 degree in Social Science, Language or a related subject. Other degrees might be suitable depending on personal statement and motivation. Working knowledge of French language (CEFR B2).

To be accepted onto our programmes, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. The level required will depend on the programme you are applying for. We strive to make your application process as easy as possible, however in all cases we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and / or conduct an interview.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications including:

• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• Password
• Duolingo English Test (for entry onto Pre-Sessional English programmes, and direct entry courses starting in January 2022 and September 2022, excluding Aston Medical School, OSPAP, and Postgraduate Research degree programmes).
• Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) 

All our MA programmes equip students with the knowledge and analytical and transferable skills to pursue further postgraduate research or a successful career in the public and private sector.

The careers pursued by our students vary greatly, but typical careers include:

• employment in international organisations (EU, WTO, UN etc.)
• research in policy-oriented domestic or international think tanks
• careers in government administration
• further postgraduate research at PhD level
• journalism
• international marketing or business.

Aston University was recognised as the 'Best University Careers/Employability Service'.

The Careers and Placements team at Aston University won the 'Best University Careers/Employability Service' category at the National Undergraduate Employability (NUE) Awards 2020 for its use of innovative ideas to engage a high number of students with the service in order to support them with their career planning.

Aston University has strong links with national and international organisations with over 200 employers interacting with students on campus each year.