Euroculture (EM)

Euroculture in Groningen is proud of being a founding member of the Euroculture programme (1999), and of its achievements as Programme of Excellence. From 2010 onwards, we have been continuously ranked as one of the best European Studies Programmes in the Netherlands based on the Master Keuzegids. In 2024, Euroculture Groningen was once again noted as being the top-rated Master programme in European Studies in the Netherlands based on the National Student Survey (NSE) results.

The international staff of Euroculture hold doctoral degrees in diverse fields, including history, cultural studies, political science, European law, European studies, and international relations. In Groningen, the academic and research focus centers on cultural identity and its relationship to European integration in all its dimensions. Seminars emphasize concepts like “Europeanisation” and “Citizenship,” with significant attention also given to Trans-Atlantic relations and East Asia. Groningen is an excellent choice for residence, as this lively and pleasant university town boasts a large student population, comprising about one-fifth of its inhabitants. Students benefit from excellent facilities, not only for studying (ICT, library, Placement Office, International Office), but also for sports, entertainment, and leisure.

Each semester has a different structure, and each university has its own academic culture and approach to the number of contact hours per week. Please contact euroculture rug.nl or find out more on euroculturemaster.eu if you have questions about the study culture in Euroculture.

In the first semester, students gain multidisciplinary knowledge about the European integration process and attend a practical module (Eurocompetence I). For the second semester, students in Groningen attend a methodology course, Eurocompetence II, and a research seminar. In the third semester, students opt for either a Research or a Professional Track and submit a Thesis Portfolio. The last semester consists of writing a thesis and completing Eurocompetence III (Project or PhD application).

Semester 1: Students opt for one of our eight partner universities in Europe. This can be (but does not have to be) Groningen!

Semester 2: Students continue their programme at another one of our eight partner universities in Europe.

Semester 3: Students may pursue our Research Track, non-EU Research Track, or a Vocational Track (Internship)

Semester 4: Students return to either their first or second semester university to finish their studies.

All information regarding tuition fees may be found on: https://www.euroculturemaster.eu/tuition-fees

Euroculture has a guaranteed Erasmus+ grant available for your second-semester mobility regardless of the chosen university. Other grant opportunities, including the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, may be found on our website.

Euroculture prepares graduates for professions and research careers where knowledge of contemporary Europe and the European Union institutions are of relevance.

Due to the multi- and interdisciplinary nature of the Euroculture programme, its graduates find work in a broad range of sectors where expert knowledge of present Europe and European integration processes is required. A number of our graduates have also undertaken further studies on doctoral level.

The focus of the programme is on cultural and social developments, the political process of European integration, values, citizenship and cultural identity within Europe and its correlations with the wider world. Euroculture teaches students the methods and skills required to identify the European dimensions of social problems, to critically assess and interpret information about European institutions and organisations, and to understand the cultural aspects and factors that play a key role in the process of European identity formation and integration.

Career Prospects

Euroculture alumni have found employment in the following areas/organisations:

• EU institutions
• International and national organisations (non-governmental, non-profit, foundations)
• Universities, education and research institutions
• Embassies and ministries all over the world
• Media, journalism, publishing, libraries
• Cultural (management) organisations
• Foreign trade organisations
• Political parties, foundations and associations
• City and regional planning, local and regional cultural projects
• Centres for minorities and minority rights

Our Euroculture staff conducts various research projects in the interdisciplinary field of Euroculture, also within larger projects with the partner universities of the consortium.

Articles from Euroculture scholars presented at the IP 2012 in Deusto published.

Articles from Euroculture scholars and keynote speakers (among which Dr. Janny de Jong, UG) that were presented at the Intensive Programme 2012 at the University of Deusto (Spain) have been published. The best Intensive Programme papers are always published in an annual volume, which can be found through this link.

Book in Euroculture Studies published in May 2013

"Europe – Space for transcultural Existence" is the first of a new series of publications “Studies in Euroculture” . The book is jointly edited by Janny de Jong and Margriet van der Waal (Groningen) and Martin Tamcke and Lars Klein (Göttingen). The publisher is Göttingen University Press.

The articles in this publication explore different dimensions of the field of Euroculture: it includes topics such as cosmopolitanism, cultural memory and traumatic past(s), colonial heritage, democratization and Europeanization as well as the concept of (European) identity in various disciplinary contexts such as law and the social sciences.

The book is available in print and as online publication.

European Studies and Europe: Twenty Years of Euroculture

This volume is divided into two parts, which are intrinsically linked. The first part contains reflections on the field of European studies and on concepts, analytical perspectives and methodologies that have emerged through interdisciplinary dialogues in Euroculture/European studies. The second part contains contributions that reflect upon the Euroculture programme itself, discussing both changes and continuities in the curriculum and didactic methods, outlining possible venues for further developing the educational and research programme that is firmly embedded in a network of partners that have been closely cooperating over a span of no less than two decades.

Students' Research

During the master's programme students acquire knowledge in the Euroculture field of research and conduct their own research. These research projects are integrated in the methodology course, the research seminars as well as the master's thesis. Students opting for the Research Track will be trained in writing a PhD application (Eurocompetence III).

The department encourages students to participate in many conferences and symposia in the area of Euroculture and European Studies. The Programme's own main event is the Intensive Programme, a 7-day summer school where all students present their own papers. Since the 2010 IP, the best students papers have been published annually.

These publications can be found under Euroculture consortium publications at the University of Groningen website.

Examples of Euroculture MA theses can be found in the Euroculture thesis repository.

Find additional information on the research of our staff below.

Euroculture Staff: Discipline(s)/Field(s)

James Leigh (History; Social Sciences (Interdisciplinary); Cultural Studies)

Herman Voogsgeerd (International Relations; Law; Industrial Relations & Labor)

Margriet van der Waal (Cultural Studies; Humanities, Multidisciplinary; Literary Theory & Criticism)

Senka Neuman-Stanivukovic (International Relations)

Marek Neuman (International Relations)

Yuliya Hilevych (History; History of Medicine; Social Sciences (Interdisciplinary))

Rachel Johnston-White (History; Religion; Humanities (Multidisciplinary))

Stefan Couperus (History; Political Science)

Ron Holzhacker (Political Science; Law; Asian Studies)

Josh Prada (Language & Linguistics; Education & Educational Research; Psychology (Social))