Applying to European Studies

How do I apply?

Each year European Studies admits about 40 new undergraduates into the various combinations of the programme. We aim to attract intelligent and well-motivated people, of all ages from 18 upward, and from every region of the UK and overseas. Formal Applications to the European Studies Programme should be made through UCAS. After receiving your application form from UCAS, we consider your academic performance to date, and carefully read your personal statement and academic reference. If you are found suitable, we offer you a place, subject to achieving a certain performance at 'A' Level (or equivalent International qualification), and invite you to visit the Department on one of the UCAS days.

Our usual conditions for entrance are A-Level ABC/BBB or 300 UCAS points, International Baccalaureate 32 points, Scottish Certificate of Education AABBB, Irish Leaving Certificate AABBBB, European Baccalaureate 75% average, French Baccalaureate 13/20, Abitur (Reformierte Oberstufe) Durchschnittsnote 2.0 or higher, Diploma Di Maturitá 70/100.

European Studies applicants will need to meet the following language requirements:

European Studies with French Main Language (R100): A2 Level grade B; Scottish Higher B; Irish Higher B at Honours Level; International Baccalaureate grade 6 at higher level, European Baccalaureate 7 points; Abitur Französisch/Deutsch als Leistungsfach.

European Studies with German Main Language (R200): A2 Level grade B; Scottish Higher B; Irish Higher B at Honours Level; International Baccalaureate grade 6 at higher level, European Baccalaureate 7 points; Abitur Französisch/Deutsch als Leistungsfach.

European Studies with Italian Main Language (R300): For post A2-Level pathway grade B; International Baccalaureate grade 6 at higher level; European Baccalaureate 7 points; Abitur Italienisch als Leistungsfach. For Italian ab initio pathway, advanced knowledge of another European language or Latin is required.

European Studies with Spanish Main Language (R401): For post A2-Level pathway grade B; Scottish Higher B; International Baccalaureate grade 6 at higher level; European Baccalaureate 7 points; Abitur Spanisch als Leistungsfach. For Spanish ab initio pathway advanced knowledge of another European language or Latin is required.

Please note: It is possible to study two languages to honours level within the European Studies programme. However, for adminsitrative reasons, the UCAS codes only reflect one language choice. Spanish and Italian are also available with no prior knowledge and are taught ab initio. For the Spanish and Italian ab initio pathways, advanced knowledge of another European language or Latin is required.

English Language Requirements

In addition to your academic qualifications, we also expect you to have a level of English language which will enable you to cope with the linguistic demands of a degree programme if your first language is not English. The minimum requirement for European Studies is usually:
IELTS score of 6.5, which must include a score of 6.0 in the written component of the examination.

Can I defer my entry for a year?

We are willing to accept applications from candidates who wish to take a year off between leaving school and entering university. If we offer you a place, and you meet the conditions of the offer, your entry into European Studies the following year is guaranteed.

What about mature students?

Our department has traditionally encouraged applications from mature students (aged 21 and over). Mature students come from all sorts of social, educational, and career backgrounds, and we find that these highly motivated people, with a variety of life experiences behind them, can contribute a great deal to the Department, and gain much themselves.

We examine the individual circumstances of all our mature applicants with special care, and call the majority to interview. If you already have relevant educational or professional qualifications, and can explain your interest in our degree persuasively, your entry will be straightforward. If you lack formal qualifications, we like to see some evidence of your capacity to sustain an intensive course of academic reading, thinking, and writing, such as may be provided by successful completion of 'A' Levels, or an Access Course.

What about Overseas Students?

European Studies at Royal Holloway attracts applicants from many different countries. Every year we receive applications from a wide range of overseas candidates: from member states of the European Union, Switzerland, Brazil, America, Canada, Mexico, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Latvia, the Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Somalia, Jordan and elsewhere. We are delighted to add to the international quality of our student body by admitting such candidates, whenever they appear appropriately qualified for our degrees, and indeed 50% of our cohort are from countries outside the UK. We recognise a wide variety of qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate, for which we usually ask for a score of 32 points (although, as in the case of 'A' Level candidates, we may vary this according to individual circumstances), and various national school-leaving examinations. As it is seldom possible to assess the academic potential and personal motivation of such candidates by means of an interview, we occasionally ask them to send us samples of written work on European themes. Candidates from overseas should use the UCAS procedure in submitting their applications. They may also wish to obtain special guidance before or during their application. For further information, visit the Royal Holloway International website.

The College also has extensive information on the application procedure for Royal Holloway. Click here

All correspondance relating to admissions to the European Studies programme should be directed to:

European Studies
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham TW20 0EX
Surrey, UK
Tel: +44-(0)1784-443669
Fax: +44-(0)1784-479052
Email: a.pym@rhul.ac.uk