European Studies
The programme of studies aims to provide you with a solid and comprehensive knowledge of the European Union from a multidisciplinary angle, involving the politics, economics, law and history of European Integration. Another aim is to develop students' analytical skills and to deepen your critical appraisal of EU policies and EU affairs in general. Special emphasis is also laid, where appropriate, on the deepening of knowledge of the theories and theoretical frameworks employed by the various disciplines in assessing EU policies. In your final year, you may have the chance to demonstrate your knowledge by carrying out a research-based dissertation. Participation in the Erasmus+ mobility programme is also encouraged, for a more holistic and diverse learning experience.
International Relations
The undergraduate programme in International Relations offers you an academic perspective on the liaison between countries, and how bureaucratic decisions by hegemonic countries and the intervening action of administrative boards, state officials and elected representatives create a complex web of intercountry relations. During the course we will provide you with a coherent and clear image of how Western, European and Non-European countries coalesce, ranging from topics such as understanding foreign policy of USA and international economics, to international relations since 1919 and conflict resolution, to name a few. We also encourage you to participate in our Erasmus+ mobility programme, as we believe a multicultural perspective will provide a holistic academic journey.
Communication and Academic Skills Programme
The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.
European Studies
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EST1020 | The Legal Order of the European Union | 8 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EST1042 | European Integration Theories, Paradigms and Key Documents | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Erasmus and visiting students studying in Malta can either register for EST1022 Law of the Institutions ֠General Principles of European Union Law during the first semester or for EST1023 Enforcement of European Union Law in the second semester.Students registering for EST1023 are required to have covered an equivalent of EST1022 at their home institution.Both EST1022 and EST1023 have a credit value of 4 ECTS and will be assessed at the end of their respective semester.Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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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)   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EST1041 | Introductory Macro Economics for European Studies | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EST2229 | Research Methodology and Writing Skills | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EST2140 | Politics of the European Union | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EST2232 | World Politics and the EU | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EST3010 | The Economics of European Integration | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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EST2060 | The Law of the Internal Market of the European Union | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EST2210 | Development Studies and the European Union | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EST2235 | EU Cohesion Policy Implementation and Management | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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EST2020 | Small States and the European Union | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EST2223* | Placements in European Studies | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EST2230 | Social Policy and the European Union | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EST2233 | Contemporary Migration Issues Across the Mediterranean (History, Policy and International Law) | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
EST2234 | Malta in the European Union | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
EST2236 | European Union Simulation Unit | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
* The number of placements available is limited.   |
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EST3209 | Dissertation | 12 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) For French elective study-units refer to end note. | |||||
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EST3212 | EU Competition Law | 8 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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EST3180 | Human Rights in the EU | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EST3190 | European Environmental Law and Policy | 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   |   | ||
EST3214 | Political Parties in Europe | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
EST3215 | European Language Knowledge and Awareness | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EST3192 | European Union Economic and Monetary Union | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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EST2223* | Placements in European Studies | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EST3090 | Euro-Mediterranean Relations | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EST3191 | The Role of SMEs and Competitiveness in the European Union | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EST3193 | European Union Trade Policy | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EST3197 | Comparative Federalism and the EU | 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.   |
International Relations
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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IRL1082 | Introduction to Political Studies | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
IRL1193* | Introduction to Modern Europe | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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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. Students with an Advanced Level in History must take 4 ECTS from the Elective Units.   | |||||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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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)   | ||
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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IRL2090* | International Relations since 1919 | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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BKF3341 | Prevention of Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
HST3109 | International Relations Between the World Wars | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
INL2004 | International and Public Law for International Relations | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
INL3011 | European Court of Human Rights | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL2002 | Security Studies | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL2060 | Contemporary China | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL2075 | Environmental Issues in International Relations | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL2093 | Comparative Politics | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL2098 | Malta in International Relations | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL3095 | Diplomacy and Diplomatic Practice | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL3146 | Foreign Policies of European States | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL3189 | International Political Economy 1 | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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IRL2010 | International Economics | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL2020 | Nationalism in International Politics | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL2036 | Intercultural Politics in the Mediterranean | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL2063 | Introduction to Humanitarian Action | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL2290 | International Relations since 1945 | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL3007 | War and Peace in the Middle East | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL3041 | Contemporary Warfare | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
IRL3098 | International Financial Institutions | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
MDT3001 | Israeli-Palestinian Relations: Pasts, Urgencies, Prospects | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
* Students who register for study-unit IRL2090 canot register for study-units HST3109 and IRL2290.   |
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.