European Studies
Students are required to register for ALL compulsory study-units (30 ECTS credits), 26 ECTS credits in a Secondary Area and 4 ECTS credits as optional study-units to a total of 60 ECTS credits.Students may take one study-unit from one of the EU Language Components as optional study-units in the first year (refer to relevant section at the end of the programme).
| Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| EST1042 | European Integration Theories, Paradigms and Key Documents | 6 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| Semester 1 | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| EST1022 | Law of the Institutions: General Principles of European Union Law | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| EST1030 | Introduction to Comparative Politics of Europe | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| EST1036 | A Historical Perspective on EU Integration | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| EST1040 | Introductory Micro Economics for European Studies | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| Semester 2 | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| EST1023 | Enforcement of European Union Law | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| EST1041 | Introductory Macro Economics for European Studies | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:30 ECTS credits in European Studies26 ECTS credits in the other area4 ECTS credits in optional study-unitsTotal credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits
Students are required to register for ALL compulsory study-units (14 ECTS credits), at least 18 ECTS credits from the list of electives, 24 ECTS credits in a Secondary Area and 4 ECTS credits as optional study-units to a total of 60 ECTS credits.Students may take up to 10 ECTS credits from one of the EU Language Components as optional and/or elective study-units in the second year. These elective study-units will count as part of the European Studies component (refer to relevant section at the end of the programme).
| Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| EST2229 | Research Methodology and Writing Skills | 6 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| Semester 1 | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| EST2140 | Politics of the European Union | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| EST3010 | The Economics of the EU Single Market | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||||||||
| EST2060 | The Law of the Internal Market of the European Union | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2210 | Development Studies and the European Union | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2232 | The EU in the World | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| Semester 2 | |||||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||||||||
| EST2012 | The EU and its Eastern Neighbours | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2020 | Small States and the European Union | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2170 | Malta in the European Union | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2200 | Contemporary Migration Across the Mediterranean | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2223* | Placements in European Studies | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2230 | Social Policy and the European Union | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2235 | EU Cohesion Policy Implementation and Management | 6 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2236 | European Union Simulation Unit | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| * The number of placements available is limited. | |||||||||||
Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:32 ECTS credits in European Studies24 ECTS credits in the other area4 ECTS credits in optional study-unitsTotal credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits
Students are required to register for ALL compulsory study-units (4 ECTS credits), at least 28 ECTS credits from the list of electives and 24 ECTS credits in a Secondary Area, and 4 ECTS as optional study-units to a total of 60 ECTS credits.Students in the third year may be allowed to register for study-units offered in the second year provided this is permitted by the time-table and provided that students obtain no less than 56 credits at level 3.Students may take up to 10 ECTS credits from one of the EU Language Components as optional and/or elective study-units in the third year. These elective study-units will count as part of the European Studies component (refer to relevant section at the end of the programme).
| Semester 1 | |||||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||||||||
| EST3180 | Human Rights in the EU | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3190 | European Environmental Law and Policy | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3199 | Political Parties in Europe | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3200 | The EU's External Policy and the CFSP | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3207 | Agenda-Setting in the European Union | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3208 | The Economics of EU Policies | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| Semester 2 | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| EST3192 | European Union Economic and Monetary Union | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||||||||
| EST2070 | EU Competition Law | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST2223* | Placements in European Studies | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3090 | Euro-Mediterranean Relations | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3193 | European Union Trade Policy | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3201 | Sustainable Development and the EU | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3210 | European Security | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3211 | The Future of the European Union | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| EST3213 | Identity and Culture in Europe | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| * The number of placements available is limited. | |||||||||||
Requirement for successful completion of Year 3:32 ECTS credits in European Studies24 ECTS credits in the other area4 ECTS credits in optional study-unitsTotal credits for this year: 60 ECTS creditsRequirement for award of Bachelor of European Studies: 180 ECTS credits, of which:94 ECTS credits in European Studies74 ECTS credits in the other area12 ECTS credits optional study-units
EU Language ComponentStudents can opt to follow a language component during their Bachelor of European Studies course. Students who choose this option, select study units from one of the language components on offer, as optional and/or elective study units, as indicated in the Programme of Studies. These language study units count as part of the required European Studies component. The aim is to improve the students’ proficiency in the selected language and students should choose study units depending on their level of knowledge of the language.During academic year 2026/27, the French and German Language Components will be on offer. Other EU language components may be offered in due course.French Language ComponentThe following study-units are available for students who intend to follow a French language component during their Bachelor of European Studies course. Some units are available to students who are beginners in French and others for students who have successfully completed study-units from the French Language Proficiency Course in previous years or who are in possession of qualifications in French at different levels.Students are to start at the level appropriate to their qualifications as guided by the Department of French. Students can take 5 ECTS as optional in Year I, up to 10 ECTS as elective study-units in Year II and Year III. These elective study-units will count as part of the required European Studies component.The study-units indicated below are not available to students taking French as a subsidiary or joint area with European Studies.Students are required to consult with the French departmental secretary, cc’ing the Head of the French Department, to determine the choice of study-units, depending on their level of knowledge. Students may need to sit for a test to determine their level.The following study-units are available to the below categories of students:
a) Students in possession of an A-level at any pass, or intermediate level, or a SEC pass in French
b) Students who have completed study-units from the French Language Proficiency Course in the first year of their course depending on their level
c) Those who have no knowledge of FrenchSemester 1FRE1500 Français pour grands débutants niveau A1.1 5 ECTS (for beginners)FRE1502 Français élémentaire niveau A2.1 5 ECTS (Prerequisite: A recent SEC pass, a DELF A1.2, or FRE1501)FRE1504 Français Niveau Intermédiaire 1 5 ECTS (Prerequisite: An excellent, recent SEC result, a DELF A2.2, or FRE1503)FRE1506 Français Niveau Intermédiaire avancé B2.1 4 ECTS (Prerequisite: An Intermediate Pass at Grade C or better, a DELF B1.2, or FRE1505)Semester 2FRE1501 Français pour grands débutants: Niveau A1.2 5 ECTS (Prerequisite: FRE1500)FRE1503 Français élémentaire niveau A2.2 5 ECTS (Prerequisite: A recent, good SEC result, a DELF A2.1, or FRE1502)FRE1505 Français Niveau Intermédiaire B1.2 5 ECTS (Prerequisite: FRE1504 or a DELF B1.1)FRE1507 Français Niveau Avancé B2.2 4 ECTS (Prerequisite: FRE1506 or a DELF B2.1)The following study-units are available for students who are in possession of at least Grade C at A-level French:Semester 2FRE1002 Perfectionnement da la Langue 4 ECTS OR FRE1021 Pratique de la langue 1 4 ECTS (Offered in Semester 1)FRE1022 Culture, Art et Civilisation 4 ECTSFRE3047 Pratique de la langue 2 4 ECTSStudents may take one optional study-unit in Year 1 (for example, FRE1500, first semester), and one or two elective study-units in French in Year 2. However, beginner students having followed FRE1500 in Year 1 may only take FRE1501 in Year 2, since this is a second semester unit. Alternatively, beginner students can take 0 study-units in French in the first year, and 2 study-units as from the second year, for a smoother progression. At higher levels of competence, students may take two study-units in French yearly as from their second year of studies. As from the third year, it will be possible to take 2 study-units in French at all levels.Students obtaining FRE1503 will have achieved a level approximately equivalent to a SEC level standard, those achieving FRE1505 will have achieved a level approximately equivalent to an Intermediate standard, and those achieving FRE1507 will have achieved a level approximately equivalent to an Advanced standard.All these units focus on language competence and do not contain any literature component.
German Language ComponentThe following study-units are available for students who intend to follow a German language component during their Bachelor of European Studies course. Some units are available to students who are beginners in German and others for students who have successfully completed study-units from the German Language Proficiency Course in previous years or who are in possession of other qualifications in German at different levels.Students are to start at the level appropriate to their qualifications as guided by the Department of German. Students can take 5 ECTS as optional in Year I and up to 10 ECTS as elective study-units in Year II and Year III. These elective study-units will count as part of the required European Studies component.The study-units indicated below are not available to students taking German as a subsidiary or joint area with European Studies.Students are required to consult with the German departmental administrator, cc’ing the Head of the German Department and including all relevant documentation, to determine the choice of study-units, depending on their level of knowledge. Students may need to sit for a test to determine their level.Students having any of the following qualifications may apply for the study-units listed below, depending on the level of the qualification:
a) Students in possession of an A-level at any pass, or intermediate level, or a SEC pass in German
b) Students who have completed study-units from the German Language Proficiency Course in the first year of their course
c) Those who have no knowledge of German
d) Students in possession of a recognised language certificate in German (e.g. a Goethe-Institute certificate)
Semester 1
GRM1031 German for Beginners Level A1.1 5 ECTS
GRM1033 German Level A2.1 5 ECTS
GRM1035 German Level B1.1 5 ECTS
GRM1037 German Level B1+ 5 ECTS
GRM1039 German Level B2.2 5 ECTS
GRM1041 German Level C1.1 5 ECTS
GRM1056 Sprachpraxis 1 B 2.1 5 ECTS
Semester 2
GRM1032 German for Beginners Level A1.2 5 ECTS
GRM1034 German Level A2.2 5 ECTS
GRM1036 German Level B1.2 5 ECTS
GRM1038 German Level B2.1 5 ECTS
GRM1040 German Level B2+ 5 ECTS
GRM1042 German Level C1.2 5 ECTS
GRM1057 Sprachpraxis 2 B 2.2 5 ECTS
The following study-units are available for students who are in possession of at least B 2 level (i.e. approximately Grade C at A-level) in German:
Semester 1GRM3059 Deutsch im Beruf 4 ECTSStudents may take one optional study-unit in Year 1 (for example, GRM1031, first semester), and one or two elective study-units in German in Year 2. However, beginner students having followed GRM1031 in Year 1 may only take GRM1032 in Year 2, since this is a second semester unit. Alternatively, beginner students can take 0 study-units in German in the first year, and 2 study-units as from the second year, for a smoother progression. At higher levels of competence, students may take two study-units in German yearly as from their second year of studies. As from the third year, it will be possible to take 2 study-units in German at all levels.All these units focus on language competence and do not contain any literature component.
International Relations
In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of either 4 ECTS credits or 8 ECTS as applicable from the elective study-units on offer during the year.
| Semester 1 | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| IRL1082 | Introduction to Political Studies | 6 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| IRL1193* | Introduction to Modern Europe | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||||||||
| HST1126 | The Mediterranean in Modern Times | 2 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL1091 | Soft Power in International Relations: An Introduction to the Role of Media and Culture | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| LIN1063 | Academic Reading and Writing in English | 2 ECTS | |||||||||
| PHI1014 | Political Philosophy | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| * Study-unit IRL1193 is to be taken only by students who do not have an Advanced Level in History. It is compulsory for students who do not have an Advanced Level in History. | |||||||||||
| Semester 2 | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| IRL1081 | The Global Politics of Inequality: Realities and Perspectives | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| IRL1088 | Introduction to Foreign Policy | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| IRL1089 | Theories of International Relations | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
In addition to the compulsory study-units as indicated in the programmes of study for the two Main Areas, students are required to register for optional elective study-units to bring their total to 60 ECTS credits per academic year.
| Semester 1 | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| IRL2002 | Security Studies | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2093 | Comparative Politics | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||||||||
| BKF3341 | Prevention of Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| INL2004 | International and Public Law for International Relations | 6 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2012 | Foreign Policy of Russia | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2014 | An Introduction to Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2064 | Asia-Pacific in the World | 6 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2074 | The Muslim-Arab World in Contemporary Times | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2089 | Further Studies in Diplomacy | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| PBL2025 | Basic Principles of the European Convention on Human Rights | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| Semester 2 | |||||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||||||||
| HST2005 | Contemporary Mediterranean History | 6 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2010 | International Economics | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2011 | Foreign Policy of USA | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2013 | Political Economy of War | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2058 | Terror: Ideas and Realities | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2084 | The International Relations of Small States and Territories | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2092 | Political Movements and Parties | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL3006 | Politics and Government in the Persian Gulf | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL3010 | Norms, Rights and Climate Justice | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL3065 | The Media and International Relations | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
In addition to the compulsory study-units as indicated in the programmes of study for the two Main Areas, students are required to register for optional elective study-units to bring their total to 60 ECTS credits per academic year.
| Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||||||||
| IRL2090* | International Relations since 1919 | 6 ECTS | |||||||||
| Semester 1 | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| IRL2099 | Conflict Resolution and International Relations | 4 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| IRL3189 | International Political Economy 1 | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||||||||
| BKF3341 | Prevention of Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| HST3109 | International Relations Between the World Wars | 2 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2060 | Contemporary China | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2098 | Malta in International Relations | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL3013 | Nuclear Politics | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL3095 | Diplomacy and Diplomatic Practice | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| PBL2025 | Basic Principles of the European Convention on Human Rights | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| PPG2003 | Global Environmental Governance | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| Semester 2 | |||||||||||
| Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||||||||
| IRL3057 | Synoptic Study-Unit 1: International Relations | 6 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| IRL3058 | Synoptic Study-Unit 2: International Relations | 6 ECTS | (NC) | ||||||||
| Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table cannot register for study-units HST3109 and IRL2290. | |||||||||||
| IRL2020 | Nationalism in International Politics | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2036 | Intercultural Politics in the Mediterranean | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL2290 | International Relations since 1945 | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL3007 | War and Peace in the Middle East | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL3012 | Democracy, Autocracy, and World Order | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL3041 | Contemporary Warfare | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
| IRL3050 | International Institutions | 4 ECTS | |||||||||
This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Bachelor of European Studies (Honours) - B.Eur.Studies (Hons) - and Bachelor of European Studies (B.Eur.Studies) - under the auspices of the Institute for European Studies.