International Programme for European Studies

Overview

"We’re studying political studies, as well as history and philosophy. It’s extremely broad but, at the same time, very applicable. I have done field work in Paris and we study one semester in Roskilde, Denmark, and another at a European university of our choice. I chose Spain, and learned Spanish. Having travelled and studied in different countries will look good on my CV." Yara Alghafri

Description

This programme gives you an in-depth education of Europe, with a focus on cultural understanding and critical reflection, through seminars, lectures and group work. The program combines history with political science, providing you with knowledge of the EU and globalisation.

This programme prepares you for employment within political fields and provides a solid foundation for further studies at the Master’s level.

In the second year you study abroad for two semesters at a partner university. You will develop communication skills, intercultural understanding and network building. You can also do an internship for one semester combined with one semester abroad. Potential employers include national organisations, government agencies and private companies. After completing this programme, former students have been accepted to Master’s studies at a range of different universities, including London School of Economics, Sorbonne University and Lund University.

Content

What is European Studies?

Europe is complex. In order to fully understand Europe and the European Union, more than one national or scientific perspective is required. European Studies at Malmö University provides you with a multidisciplinary approach to Europe in an international setting. 

During the programme you will work actively with cross-border cooperation during the courses and in your research. Our multi- and interdisciplinary approach helps you gain knowledge and awareness related to history and culture on a larger scale than many other similar programmes in Scandinavia.

What makes European Studies unique?

IPES is built to give students a real experience of European mobility together with historical perspectives and knowledge about how the EU functions. During the second year you will have an opportunity to study abroad and/or do an internship giving you practical experience outside the traditional classroom setting.

What can we offer you as a student?

The purpose of the education in European Studies at Malmö University is to give you a European competence, with focus on cultural understanding and critical reflection. Our courses and programmes combine humanities with political science in an attempt to provide understanding of this continent, with its changes and diversities. Thus, you achieve a practical, as well as a more comprehensive, competence in European history, politics, geography, communication and other cultural aspects.

Bachelor Essays, some topics

EPA’s & Problematizing Development: Discourse, Design, Values

Regional Authority in Cross Border Dynamics. A study of the Öresund C...

Making use of Europe: An investigation of the activities of Swedish r...

Environmental NGOs: Channels of Democracy for the European Union

Partner Universities

We cooperate with a number of universities to provide exchange opportunities for students. We have a strategic cooperation with Roskilde University and The Öresund University
Roskilde University Center

Here are some examples of universities where our students do exchange studies:

Grenoble – Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Grenoble, France
Toulouse - Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Toulouse, France
Granada – Universidad de Granada, Spain
León – Universidad de León, Spain
Kraków – Uniwersytet Jagielloñski (Jagellonian University), Poland
Kraków – Wyzsza Szkola Europejska Im. Ks. Jozefa Tischnera (Tischner European University), Poland
Eichstätt – Katholische Universität Eichstätt – Ingolstadt, Germany
Europa - Universität Viadrina Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany

Interviews

EU coordinator in Hässleholms kommun

When Therese Almqvist applied to Malmö University she had worked in agriculture, elderly care, and had run a café with a friend. But the urge to learn more about society and develop as a person made her want to go to university.

"I’m on the strategic development team with other experts in different areas. My job is to ensure that people, administrations or municipalities can coordinate their needs and efforts and collaborate."

"I had considered starting my own business, but I realised that I needed more theoretical knowledge about how society works. I wanted to learn more about political structures."

Therese first chose to study international migration and ethnic relations at Malmö University but then transferred to the International Programme for European Studies.

"After I had completed my degree and started applying for jobs there were a few vacancies for EU coordinators in Skåne."

Therese got the job as EU coordinator in the town of Hässleholm before the economy began to plummet. She’s the only one in that role, but in larger cities, like Malmö, there is usually one EU coordinator in every borough. In smaller municipalities the role is often part of a broader coordination service.

"I’m on the strategic development team with other experts in different areas. My job is to ensure that people, administrations or municipalities can coordinate their needs and efforts and collaborate. I try to bring together ideas, thoughts, and needs and transform them into projects and processes. What I like the most, in addition to all the people I meet, is that I get to see lots of results on this local level. That is really motivating."

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“This gives me a broad range of knowledge about Europe and the European Union"

Living in Sweden has been the goal of twenty-year-old Tamara Moskopp for some time. After finishing her studies in Germany she moved to Sweden and started off as an au pair in Helsingborg for one year. When she was accepted to the International Programme for European Studies, IPES, she was really glad and looked forward to her studies at Malmö University.

" I think IPES gives students more work opportunities because of the varied education and the experience they acquire during the exchange studies.”

"So far I have enjoyed the time in Malmö because IPES turned out to be an interesting programme, andbecause I have made many new friends. It was definitely the right choice to study here.” 

One might think that problems could occur when studying with so many different people, but according to Tamara Moskopp her class is getting along very well with each other and are having an awesome time in Malmö.

“I like it that we are an international class and that I get to know many new people from different cultural backgrounds.”

Tamara likes that the European studies programme gives her the opportunity to study history, politics, and culture at the same time.
“This gives me a broad range of knowledge about Europe and the European Union yet I can still usually focus on what interests me the most in the at-home exams.”

Tamara chose IPES because she believed that she would learn a lot about political structures and European culture. Being an exchange student was of great importance to her
“I think it looks good on my CV if I have studied in different countries. I think IPES gives students more work opportunities because of the varied education and the experience they acquire during the exchange studies.”

After finishing her studies in Malmö Tamara wishes to continue studying and hopefully earn her master’s degree.
“Right now we are looking forward to our exchange semesters all over the world – what a great opportunity!”
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The programme encourages critical thinking and how it approaches Europe in every aspect

“This programme is linked to my interest in European issues and Malmö has very good connections to the rest of Europe, says Elvire Michel, student at the International Programme for European Studies, IPES, at Malmö University. And Malmö is more international than Copenhagen!”

"The programme connects many subjects at the same time and enables us to get a big picture of not only the European Union, but also the world in general and the factors that influence it, for instance philosophy, religion, politics and economy.”

After working for a high tech manufacturer for three years and as a sales representative for four years in France, Elvire Michel came to Sweden in 2011. She realised that she wanted to work in a more social field. She was given the opportunity in Motala where she became a European volunteer and worked with young people with difficulties - such as social problems and refugees - for almost a year.

“This experience made me realize that I was able to succeed in many things; like starting a new life in a foreign country, to speak another language, learn Swedish and build good relationships with young people.”

After that, thirty year old Elvire Michel was inspired to choose the IPES.
“Finally I believed I could study and build a better career for my future; I wanted to study European issues after I had had that experience.”

Elvire likes how the programme encourages critical thinking and how it approaches Europe in every aspect.
“We do not have to be pro- or anti-Europe, instead we think profoundly on every relevant perspective.”

She says that her class represents Europe very well since all the students come from different countries, such as France, Germany, Kosovo, Armenia, Poland, and so on.
“As the programme is quite new, we have to be flexible. It connects many subjects at the same time and enables us to get a big picture of not only the European Union, but also the world in general and the factors that influence it, for instance philosophy, religion, politics and economy.”

According to Elvire Michel this makes the European programme even more interesting, not only politics but also how it enables her to improve her future career.
“I would like to continue on a master’s level in a field connected to NGOs and associations, or in journalism. This programme has taught me to write better and the possibility of going even further in my studies is also one of my ideas for the future.”

Career

What career will I be prepared for?

European Studies provides a good foundation for further studies at the master's level. The programme also enables students to work in regional and national organisations that seek people with knowledge and understanding of European institutions, histories and culture. 

Internship - an optional course

At the Department of Global Political Studies, students have the opportunity to undertake an internship during one semester.

Read more about the course Internship

Read a news article about an IPES graduate 

Contact

Further information

Anna-Karin Holm, student services assistant
Phone: 040-66 57317
E-mail: anna-karin.holm@mah.se

Andreas Önnerfors, programme responsible
Phone: 040-66 57224
E-mail: andreas.onnerfors@mah.se

Inge Eriksson, programme responsible
Phone: 040-66 57287
E-mail: inge.eriksson@mah.se