IX. Graduate Programs

European Studies

MA Program

The European Studies program offers two streams:

  1. Exploring European Identities: 3 to 4 consecutive semesters in length, program requirements to be completed mainly at Guelph, with the option of a semester abroad (in France, Germany, Italy or Spain).

  2. Crossways in Cultural Narratives, is offered through the University of Guelph’s participation in the Erasmus Mundus Consortium. This stream is 2 years in length (2 Fall and 2 Winter semesters) and involves a compulsory mobility component, whereby the student attends 3 different universities in 3 different member-states of the Consortium.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements and procedure as well as program requirements for the two streams differ, and are listed separately below.

Exploring European Identities

Candidates for admission must hold a BA in an honours program or equivalent from a recognized university or college. The applicant must have achieved a grade average of at least B+ in the work of their last four semesters or last two undergraduate years (full-time equivalent). A reading competence in a European language in addition to English is recommended.

Crossways in Cultural Narratives

Candidates for admission must have a Bachelor’s Degree in an honours program or equivalent in the field of Arts, Languages or Social Sciences; particularly a Modern Languages Degree (e.g. language, literature, thought and cultural studies programs of a high, specialised level relating to one or more of the following: Britain, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain – or Europe as a whole). The applicants must have achieved a grade average of B+ or better (or equivalent), or be among the top 5-10 students of their year. Applicants must also possess a near-native, degree-level command of TWO of the following European Languages: English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish – together with a basic knowledge of, or a willingness to acquire, a THIRD European language.

Applications should be made through the Mundus Masters consortium

Program Requirements

Exploring European Identities

A minimum of 4.00 credits is required for completion of the M.A., to consist of the following:

  1. A minimum of six semester courses, each worth 0.5 credits, including: a) Core courses: Team-taught courses on European Identities (EURO*6010) and Research Methods (EURO*6000). b) Electives: 2.0 credits to be chosen from a list of restricted electives in European Studies and other programs such as Art History and Visual Culture, English,French, History, Political Science and Philosophy. Visit the European Studies website for an updated list. https://www.uoguelph.ca/arts/solal/programs/european-studies/exploring-european-identities-ma

  2. Students will also write a research project (EURO*6100), worth 1.0 credit of approximately 12,000 words under the supervision of a faculty member.

Study Abroad

It is strongly recommended that students study or conduct research abroad. Typically, this would be taken over one semester.

Crossways in Cultural Narratives

A total of 6.00 credits (120 ECTS minimum) must be obtained: 4.00 for coursework, 1.75 for a thesis of 20,000 words (0.25 or 0.50 credits for the thesis proposal depending on whether students opt for an internship or not, 1.50 for the thesis). Students may opt for an internship worth 0.25 credits.

In compliance with the compulsory mobility component, students are required to obtain 2.00 credits (40 ECTS) from each of 3 universities chosen from the 8 member institutions:

  • University of Perpignan Via Domitia, France

  • University of Bergamo, Italy

  • University of Guelph, Canada

  • New University of Lisbon, Portugal

  • Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland

  • University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain

  • University of Saint Andrews, United Kingdom

  • University of Sheffield, United Kingdom)

The required mobility pattern is as follows: Semester 1 – University A, Semesters 2 & 3 – University B (known as the home university), Semester 4 – University C.

For further details of the program and for downloadable application, visit the Crossways website at

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120