This minor provides an introduction to contemporary studies of the European Union.
To fully comprehend Europe's intricate history, present dynamics, and future trajectory, one must illuminate the political changes, institutions, and processes occurring at both the national and supranational levels. Therefore, the minor approaches European politics in a genuinely multi-level perspective by opening up the conventional distinction into domestic (national) politics on the one hand and foreign/international politics on the other. The minor starts out with the course Multilevel Politics in the European Union and its Member States.
This course introduces students to the most important theoretical and empirical tools necessary to compare and analyse democratic politics in Europe and the EU. Subsequently, the Major Workshop European Politics provides a ‘real-world’, practical orientation to political processes in the European Union. Students train their political, negotiation, research and communication skills by participating a simulated negotiation on a current policy challenge.
This minor is offered by the Faculty of Humanities. The faculty’s minors consist of 30 ECTS credits and earn you a second qualification that will be listed on the transcript accompanying your degree certificate.
In the second semester, you can choose up to 12 EC from the courses mentioned in the schedule.
Choose two of the following courses: 'Putin’s Russia', 'Thinking (post)colonial Europe', 'Europe-China relations: connectivities and competition' and 'The Geopolitics of Climate Security: A Critical Introduction'.
The minor in European Politics may serve as a good preparation for academic Bachelor's students who want to apply for admission to a Master's programme in European Studies, e.g.: the master's in European Policy or Identity and Integration. Always check the entry requirements on the Application & admission page of the Master’s programme you are interested in.
This minor is open for application to students who have obtained an academic first-year diploma or a positive Binding Study Advice from an academic Bachelor's programme.
The minor is also open for application to students from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) who have completed their propaedeutic year. If you are an HBO student and if you are looking to do a Master's programme at the UvA, please check out our pre-Master's programmes, as completing a minor is not enough to grant you access to Master’s programmes.
The registration period for a minor in the academic year 2025-2026 will start in Spring 2025.