MA European Politics, Business and Law

Entry standards

A good undergraduate degree (First or Second class) in a social science or humanities discipline (or an equivalent qualification). In exceptional cases students with relevant practical experience but no first degree may also be admitted. 

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

MA European Politics, Business and Law - structure and modules

Module Titles

Compulsory modules  

• The Institutional Architecture of the European Union 
• Law and Policy of the EU Single Market 
• European Economies and Economic Integration 
• Introduction to Research 

Optional modules include: 

• European and International Marketing 
• European Environmental Policy and Law 
• The Policies of the European Union
• The Changing Face of Eastern Europe
• European Human Resource Management and Business Environment 
• Theories of European Integration 
• Law of EU External Trade 
• The European Social Dimension

Compulsory Modules  

The Institutional Architecture of the European Union

This module will consider the full range of institutions, which make up the European Union, including the central bodies of the Commission, Council, Parliament, Court and Central bank, as well as the decision-making processes. In addition, the module will assess the roles of member-state governments and citizens of the Union. 

Law and Policy of the EU Single Market 

This module will equip you with a thorough appreciation of the complexities of the legal framework that underpins the economic integration fundamental to the establishment of the single market within the EU. 

European Economies and Economic Integration 

This module studies the economics of integration primarily within the EU. Attention is also given to EU trade and aid policies for Eastern Europe and for less developed countries. 

Introduction to Research 

This module provides an introduction to the design and conduct of social science research. Emphasis is placed on the applicability of these methods to other subject areas across the social sciences. 

Optional modules include: 

European and International Marketing 

This module examines the principal international marketing theories and concepts. You will then apply these through case studies and individual marketing analyses.

European Environmental Policy and Law 

This module will develop your knowledge of environmental law within the EU, together with a critical awareness of legal policy, enforcement and jurisprudential issues which shape this area of law. 

The Policies of the European Union

The module explores the European Union through its various policy areas, highlighting the breadth and diversity of its role in contemporary European governance. Including internal and external policies, political and economic, the module aims to develop a rounded understanding of the EU.

The Changing Face of Eastern Europe

This module considers the position of the states of Central and Eastern Europe in the European system of states from the early twentieth century onwards. In particular, it questions the relative impact of major external and internal political forces on individual states within the region with a view to helping students understand the context to the recent eastward extension of the European integration project. By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the region and a more detailed understanding of two or three relevant countries of their choice.

European Human Resource Management and Business Environment 

This module examines the principal European business and human resource management issues and explanatory theories within a comparative context. 

Theories of European Integration 

This module provides a critical overview of the theories applied to the process of European integration. It engages with different families of theory before comparing, contrasting and reconciling the differing approaches. 

Law of EU External Trade 

This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the role of the European Union in the arena of global trade and enable you to appreciate the current state of the Union’s activities in this area. 

The European Social Dimension 

This module assesses the development of a ‘European social dimension’. It explores the impact of Europeanisation and globalisation on the European welfare model and introduces theoretical approaches to the study of European social policy.

MA European Politics, Business and Law - entry standards

Entry standards

A good undergraduate degree (First or Second class) in a social science or humanities discipline (or an equivalent qualification). In exceptional cases students with relevant practical experience but no first degree may also be admitted. 

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

Planned intake

30 for all MA programmes in the School

Start date

September

MA European Politics, Business and Law - fees and funding

Fees

European Politics, Business & Law (full time):

UK/EU - £5,200 
Overseas - £12,100

www.surrey.ac.uk/pgfees/2012

Funding opportunities

Scholarships

We can offer several scholarships to support students taking their MA degrees. Currently, the Department has three scholarships of £2000 each, which will be awarded on the basis of academic merit. All applicants for the MA programmes will be automatically considered for these scholarships, without any additional application procedure. The decision will be made in the spring before the start of teaching and successful applicants informed at that point.

MA European Politics, Business and Law - professional context

Careers

Our MA programmes are a great stepping stone in your career development, whatever your plans. Students from the Department have gone on to a wide range of activities. These include working for international organisations, national and local government, through to lobby groups and nongovernmental organisations, as well as private businesses and media organisations. If you wish to continue your studies, we also offer doctoral supervision in a wide range of political subjects.

MA European Politics, Business and Law - teaching

Teaching hours

Full-time students typically have eight contact hours of teaching per week and are expected to spend approximately thirty additional hours on independent study.

Teaching

For each degree, there is a similar pattern of teaching and assessment. In the first semester, you will take four modules. For each of these, there is a weekly two-hour block, which combines lecturing and student discussion. Assessment in this semester is all by coursework. In the second semester, you take another four modules, again with a weekly class. The only difference here is that some of these modules have a final examination. Once the taught part of the programme is finished in early summer, you will work on your dissertation through until the end of the summer, supported by regular supervision from the Department.

Staff perspective

Programme Director

All five of our degrees will provide you with the theoretical tools to help you understand current political developments, with
the opportunity to develop considerable expertise in international intervention, international politics and/or European politics.

On all programmes you will receive a thorough training in research methods, which will enable you to complete an independent piece of research yourself, in an area of specific interest. You also have the possibility of gaining a fascinating insight into another country – by studying for a Dual MA with North Carolina State University in the United States or with Seoul National University in South Korea.

Our degrees will also help you into the world of work: you will gain a detailed knowledge and understanding of international and/or European politics, welcomed by many international organisations, as well as a broad range of transferable skills, valued by all employers. You will also benefit from the wide variety of student perspectives – our classes usually include students from many different parts of the world. This makes teaching on the programme particularly enjoyable, too.

MA European Politics, Business and Law - learning

MA European Politics, Business and Law - graduate profile

Student Profile: Barbara Buczek

MA European Politics, Business and Law

Fun is probably the last word that you expect to hear when describing studies, but that is what my memories of the University of Surrey will be. In 2006 I started a part-time Masters in European Politics, Business and Law simply because I wanted to gain better knowledge about the world. I also believed that this particular degree would put me in a better position when looking for jobs and a future career. The course gave me a very broad overview of the world of contemporary politics and
law and a better understanding of international business. I particularly enjoyed being part of an international group of young eager students with our engaging discussions during and after lectures.

MA European Politics, Business and Law - more

Our Department 

The Department of Politics was created in 2004, bringing together and reinforcing the various elements of politics teaching and research which have existed at Surrey since the 1970s. Our academics are all research-active, and the teaching you will receive on our MA degrees reflects those interests, helping to make your work all the more engaged and relevant to current issues and debates. The Department has a very active student body, which organises many academic and social events outside the formal programme. With students coming from all over the world, this is an excellent opportunity to meet and challenge each other’s ideas and perceptions.

Dual MAs with North Carolina State University and Seoul National University

This programme offers a unique opportunity for high-achieving students to study for a first year on one of our MA programmes at Surrey, then for a further year to obtain the Master of International Studies (MIS) at North Carolina State University (NCSU). Alternatively, students study for the MA in International Intervention at Surrey in their first year, then for an MA in International Relations at Seoul National University (SNU), South Korea, in their second year.

This programme allows students to specialise in two distinct subfields of politics and international relations whilst gaining experience of different cultural and educational environments. It provides, therefore, an opportunity for students to maximise their potential and exposure to American or South Korean academic life and scholarship. It also builds on the extensive expertise in politics available at our institution.

Students will be able to apply for the Dual Masters programme once they have successfully completed one semester at the University of Surrey. Once the student has been deemed to have satisfied all the requirements, the application will be forwarded to NCSU or to SNU for consideration. The MA at Surrey counts as the equivalent of the first year of the two-year MIS at NCSU or of the MA in International Relations at SNU. Therefore it is possible to complete the two Masters degrees in two years. In addition to the formal academic programme, both NCSU and SNU offer acculturation workshops for incoming students from overseas.s.

MA European Politics, Business and Law - apply

• MA European Politics, Business and Law - Full-time - starting September 2012
• MA European Politics, Business and Law - Part-time - starting September 2012