About the Program

Program Overview

The Master's degree in European Studies is offered by the Department of French and European Studies of the University of Cyprus in Greek and international languages. Its courses are usually taught in English. According to the linguistic profile of students, some courses can occasionally be taught in Greek or French. The aims of the Master's programme can be summarized as follows:

From an academic viewpoint, the programme aims to cover an obvious gap in the programmes offered internationally in the field of postgraduate European Studies. More specifically, it aims to move away from the usual frame of such programmes which are usually based on a dominant politico-economic approach.

Thus, the postgraduate programme aims to investigate specific issues related to cultural Europe and to see how these issues relate to the philosophical, literary, visual and other cultural narratives. The programme puts forward ways of studying European cultural phenomena in a synthetic way, combining a specific European conjuncture with its diachronic depth.

From a research point of view, the aim of the programme is for its graduates to be able to carry out doctoral studies in specific fields of European cultural studies, combining them with European literature studies, comparative literature, visual and art studies, European history, sociology, anthropology and political sciences.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible, candidates must fulfil the following criteria:

1. A first degree in one of the wider fields of the Humanities and Social Sciences with an average of 7/10, or equivalent grade, and/or certified skills in research, and/or previous experience in European-related institutions.
2. Satisfactory knowledge of at least one international language (indicative Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level: B2).
3. Basic knowledge of a second international language, sufficient for elementary comprehension of relevant literature.

The Department reserves the right, if it deems necessary, to ask the selected students to attend courses outside of the programme (e.g. Research Methodology) in case weaknesses are noted in their training. The courses must be followed during the first year of the Postgraduate programme. The credit for these courses will not affect the total number of ECTS of the postgraduate programme since the grade will be in the form of Pass/Fail and therefore will not contribute to the assessment level of the students.

Application Procedure

The number of admissions per year is determined by the Graduate School. The application is to be submitted electronically and should include:

1. A letter of intent with a brief report stating the research and/or career targets and interests of the candidate (500 words in an international language)
2. Curriculum Vitae in an International Language
3. A copy of the undergraduate degree accompanied by a Diploma Supplement (DS) or an analytical assessment report
4. A sample of written work such as a brief article, excerpt from university work, etc. (optional)
5. Two reference letters must be submitted directly from the referee Professors either on the online application system or to the Secretary of the Department.

To request (by writing) a recommendation letter from a teacher, students must:

1. give enough time to the teacher, considering the other numerous obligations he/she may have (conferences, research mobilities, etc.),
2. provide a recent transcript of records,
3. their CV,
4. the full name and address of the degree/programme/Department/University to which the recommendation letter is destined,
5. indicate the language in which they require the recommendation letter to be written.

Applications will be examined by the departmental Postgraduate Committee. If the Committee deems it necessary, the short-listed candidates will be invited to a personal interview or interviewed via videoconference. The Committee’s proposal will be submitted for final approval to the Board of the Department of French and European Studies of the University of Cyprus.

Program Duration

The program extends over three semesters during which the physical presence of the students at the University is required. However, students can spend the maximum permitted time by the regulation of the University of Cyprus in institutions abroad through the LLP/ERASMUS+. As part of the exchange and cooperation programmes between the University of Cyprus and departments, laboratories or research institutes abroad, the possibility of a joint Master's dissertation supervision is viewed positively.