European studies and policies (Bc.)

- Field of study: political science
- Form of study: FULL-TIME study
- Level of study: 1., bachelor's degree
- Length of study: 3 years
- Language of instruction: english
- National Qualifications Framework level: 6
The European Studies and Politics study program is focused on providing a comprehensive framework of knowledge, skills, and competencies in the field of national and European politics at an appropriate level for the first cycle of university studies. Although in Slovakia a bachelor's degree generally serves as preparation for further study, the proposed study program, with its content focus and supplementary activities, responds to the needs of modern practice, which increasingly requires comprehensive preparation of graduates in the field of European public policy-making. The study program is therefore developed on the basis of communication with experts from the field as well as employers and supplemented by activities for the overall development and preparation of national and European leaders. For this reason, the actual results of the educational process focus on preparing graduates with comprehensive skills and competencies with a practical focus who are ready for independent analytical work. A prerequisite for acquiring such transferable competencies is that, in addition to the basics of political science and European studies, students have sufficient knowledge to analyze the political, social, economic, and international aspects of various forms of government and individual policies or political actors. Students in the European Studies and Politics program will acquire these skills and competencies thanks to its interdisciplinary nature, which focuses on a complex of knowledge in the areas of the functioning of the state and its parts, the European Union, international relations, and security, supplemented by knowledge related to political and social processes taking place at various levels of governance.
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in European Studies and Politics thus acquire a broad spectrum of theoretical knowledge during their education, which enables them to navigate the processes of domestic and supranational politics. They are able to apply individual international political theories to analyze selected processes taking place within and outside the state. They are able to link the knowledge they have acquired with practice, thanks in part to the opportunity to gain practical experience for their future careers while still studying. Students can apply the theoretical knowledge and skills they have acquired to a number of professional practice opportunities, thereby verifying and deepening them into practical competencies.
Graduates of the first level of university study (bachelor's degree) in the European Studies and Politics study program will acquire basic knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of political sciences, to an extent and level appropriate to the degree of study according to the Qualifications Framework in the European Higher Education Area. This foundation determines the graduate's readiness for analytical tasks in the agenda of state and international organizations. Graduates have the professional foundation to solve independent tasks and are able to contribute to and participate in the creation of various sectoral policies of a European nature.
As the study program also includes participation in several professional student events, discussions, and workshops, graduates are able to communicate in domestic and international forums. Graduates will acquire the professional language and concepts related to the creation and implementation of European policy, and learn how to use them in the creation of new policies in order to demonstrate an understanding of the context and implications of the problem and alternative decisions when proposing solutions. Furthermore, graduates will learn to compare the functioning of policies in an international context, especially in the European Union, and will thus be able to propose procedures and tools for solving specific practical problems.
At the same time, graduates will be able to organize work in working groups, cooperate in the preparation of public policy at the European, national, and local levels, analyze needs, identify and name problems, propose, create, implement, monitor, and evaluate policies, conduct empirical research and interpret its results, and apply research recommendations in practice.
Graduates are prepared to understand the interdisciplinary contexts of the functioning of modern political systems and regimes. And since the European dimension of policy-making is based on synergy and convergence, graduates will be prepared to seek solutions for modern Europe. The scope of knowledge will enable them to continue in the second stage of study or enter practical life. Graduates of the European Studies and Politics study program will find employment in state administration, local government, public sector entities, scientific research and educational institutions, supranational institutions, analytical organizations, as well as in the private sector or in the field of volunteering, in various positions (see below).
This program is part of efforts to train experts in European politics who will focus on achieving qualitative results based on in-depth quantitative studies.
New graduates should have the ability to compare and work with individual European policies and political discourses, or have the skills to collaborate on background and database studies that will determine social priorities. Graduates are thus equipped to become impartial professionals in the field of policy analysis, European studies, and processes, who could find employment in analytical units or similar departments in ministries or European institutions.
Student qualifications, which represent the completion of the first cycle of the European Higher Education Area Qualifications Framework, are as follows:
The student demonstrates knowledge and understanding in the field of study, which in this cycle builds on their general secondary education and subsequently develops and deepens it in accordance with the focus of their field of study.
The student is able to apply their knowledge and understanding in a way that indicates a professional approach to their future work or profession, i.e., the student demonstrates competencies that are typically manifested through the preparation and implementation of professional discussions using relevant arguments in accordance with the rules of polite and professional discussion when solving problems within their field of study.
The student demonstrates the ability to collect and interpret relevant data and information in order to form their own professional opinion and judgment, i.e., they have competencies in the field of relevant social, scientific, or ethical issues.
The student is able to adequately share the information they have acquired, their suggestions and ideas for solving problems, both with professionals and the general public.
The student has a comprehensive framework of knowledge, personal and educational skills (including soft skills), as well as the competencies necessary to continue their studies at the second level of education.
- employee of state administration, local government, public sector, in the field of volunteering and non-profit sector
- specialist in scientific research and educational institutions
- independent analyst in supranational institutions, analytical organizations, think tanks
- assistant for specialized professions at the European Union level and its institutions
- political analyst
- professional in the media
- professional lecturer – continuing education lecturer
- professional at the European Employment Services (EURES)
- specialist in state administration for education
- specialist in regional and rural development
- specialist in international relations
- specialist (manager) in EU fund methodology
- specialist (manager) in EU fund programming
- specialist in EU fund control
- specialist in science, research and innovation development
- specialist in legislation
- local government specialist in education and sport
- specialist in parliamentary and government agenda
- expert in foreign policy and trade and economic diplomatic and consular activities
- EU funds manager
- research and development officer (manager)
- state administration expert in general internal administration
- parliamentary and government agenda manager
- EU fund proposal verification specialist
- EU fund irregularities specialist (manager)
- EU fund operational program monitoring specialist
- parliamentary and government agenda specialist
- general administrative worker
- Further education manager
- Manager for employee education and development
- Manager for education and human resources development
- Human resources development manager
- Employee education and training manager
- Training & Development Manager
- Training & Human Resources Development Manager
- Administrative staff supervisor
Terms and conditions of admission for FULL-TIME study.
The basic condition for admission to bachelor's studies according to Act No. 131/2002 Coll. on higher education institutions and on amendments and supplements to certain acts as amended is the completion of full secondary education or full secondary vocational education completed with a school-leaving examination.
The application for bachelor's degree studies must include a CV, confirmation of payment of the admission fee, and a certified copy of the high school diploma. Applicants who will graduate in the 2023/2024 academic year will have their results confirmed by their secondary school. Applicants will send their high school diploma (certified copy) after taking the final exam, or deliver it upon enrollment.
Applicants will be ranked based on their high school graduation exam results.
Applicants will be conditionally accepted for study, provided that they submit their high school diploma by the date of enrollment at the latest.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ADMISSION PROCESS
Applicants may apply for several study programs, but only one study program may be listed on each application form. Applicants shall pay the fee for each application separately to the faculty's bank account by bank transfer.
Coordinator for students with specific needs: PhDr. Darina Kubíčková, PhD.
TUITION FEES
Annual tuition fee: €1,000
Annual tuition fee for a study program conducted exclusively in a language other than the official language for students who are not citizens of a member state and do not have permanent residence in an EU member state: €2,500
Do you have questions about the study program? Ask its main guarantor
prof. doc. PhDr. Jaroslav Mihálik, PhD.
jaroslav.mihalik@ucm.sk
Co-guarantee