Would you like to become an expert on the cultures, languages and politics of Europe?
The degree programme in European Languages and Cultures (in Dutch: ETC, Europese Talen en Culturen) is designed to meet the growing need for academic trained experts with:
By studying the key linguistic, political, cultural and social topics of contemporary Europe, you will learn to understand the mutual relationship, differences and similarities among national and regional cultures. In doing so, you will learn to understand future challenges and inform advanced decision-making in cultural, political and educational institutions.
The programme has a flexible structure. From your second year
onward, you will specialise in one of the profiles:
* European Language and Society
* European Culture and Literature
* European Politics and Society
During your third year, you can study abroad. The second and third year comprises subject-related courses taught in your major language. In addition, you can choose to specialise further by means of a Minor, elective courses and/or a short placement. Your Bachelor's degree is finalised with a thesis.
Read moreI found everything I like and enjoy within this programme
Hello! My name is Lana Fahham, and I am 20 years old. I am currently in my third year of the European Languages and Cultures BA programme. I am taking English as my major language and following both the Language & Society and the Culture & Literature profiles. In my free time I enjoy reading, watching a movie/series, and swimming. As well as just spending some time with friends.
I chose this programme because it is quite broad. I have always been interested in different languages, cultures, and literature. I found everything I like and enjoy within this programme. It was quite hard for me to choose what I wanted to study and what suited my interests, but when I visited the Open Day of ELC, I just knew that this programme was the perfect fit for me. There is so much variation and options to choose from regarding languages, subjects, and profiles. Aside from choosing a major language and main profile, you can also take courses in a second language or profile. The three profiles are: Politics & Society, Language & Society, and the Culture & Literature. I found the last two suited me perfectly, because they go in hand with my hobbies and interests. Due to the huge variation within this programme, you do not only develop a broad and critical perspective on Europe, but on the entire world. Hence, the broadness of this programme leads to many opportunities within and after your studies, which is exactly what I wanted.
Read about Lana and why she chose to studie European Language and Culture in Groningen!
Read moreI can confidently say that my expectations were highly surpassed
Hello everyone! My name is Cătălina, and I am 20 years old. I am from Moldova, and I have a deep appreciation for my cultural heritage. I am in my first year of the European Languages and Cultures BA programme, but I am doing a double Bachelor’s, combining it with the BA IRIO. I chose Spanish as my major language, as I have always wanted to manoeuvre such a melodious language. At the same time, I am taking Russian classes, which I find fascinating. I dance in my free time and adore reading and watching movies and series. Additionally, I love travelling and discovering the cultural richness of various societies.
Throughout my life, I have developed a profound passion for culture, literature and languages, and their impact on societal norms and views. Hence, European Languages and Cultures aligned perfectly with my interests. At first, I was not sure if applying was a good idea, as I was already doing another Bachelor’s degree, which is why I decided to participate in the Web class. For a month I had the opportunity to delve into the subjects of ELC, getting to explore one profile per week. As a literary enthusiast myself, I was looking forward to the Culture & Literature profile, and I can confidently say that my expectations were highly surpassed. Getting to explore society through a literary lens, examining the influence of texts on world politics, and analysing contemporary issues depicted through art are the highlights of my experience.
However, the programme is not limited to literary courses. The three profiles vary on the spectrum, by covering a vast spectrum of themes. From major literary themes and criticism (Culture & Literature profile) to language intricacies (Language & Society profile) and political discourse (Politics & Society), the programme develops a critical view of Europe from a multilateral perspective.
Read about Cătălina and why she chose to studie European Language and Culture in Groningen!
Read moreDue to its broadness, the programme can give me access to other domains, such as politics and literature
Hello! My name is Alina Staniloiu and I am an international student from Romania. Currently, I am in my second year of European Languages and Cultures, with European Language and Society as my major profile. Additionally, I am studying two foreign languages, Spanish as major language and French as minor language.
I am also a student of the Honours College programme and the vice-chair of the seventh faction of Letteren Vooruit, a party that represents the students of the Faculty of Arts within the Faculty Council. When it comes to my free time, I love to spend time with my friends, and when I am not with them, you can find me biking around the city.
Ever since I was in primary school, I was inclined towards the linguistic sphere, at first, being more interested in the structural aspects of languages. Later on, I discovered the beauty of the social part which fascinated me even more. As time passed by, I realized that I wanted to follow a path that involved the study of languages and their interplay with our society. Therefore, this study was the perfect match for me. Not only do I love its focus on my main area of interest, but also its broadness which can give me access to other domains, such as politics and literature. From my point of view, this BA programme does not limit your opportunities after graduation, but rather opens multiple doors for you, which is what we are all looking for.
Read moreI've chosen my programme for the interdisciplinary knowledge and research potential in European literature, linguistics and politics
After having spent three years in another Dutch city and one year abroad, I decided to follow a second bachelor. At that time, I was still living away from Groningen and my main decision to study at this university involved a careful examination of the programme I was going to follow and a comparative analysis with other universities that provided a similar package of courses. I've chosen my programme for the interdisciplinary knowledge and research potential in European literature, linguistics and politics, as well as for the fact that I was going to learn a new language as part of my bachelor.
The languages that all international students bring with them makes Groningen ‘feel’ like a truly internationalized, open-minded, tolerant and young city. The university has so many different student associations which organize events, parties, guest lectures, proms and competitions, that it is difficult to fit everything that there is in your free time! There is always a diverse choice of activities and I truly believe that any kind of student from any cultural background can and will feel part of the university community and part of Groningen.
Read more about Irina Dragomir and ask her your question about studying in Groningen
One of my favourite courses is Studying Europe, in which you research Europe as a whole. European identity and history were the main themes. Another topic which is also important at present: where lies the future of the European Union? Will the main language still be English even without the UK as a member state? Next year, I am going to take a course in European politics and after that, I would like to study in France, because a language is learnt best among native speakers.
One of my favourite courses is Studying Europe
Read moreWat me aantrok aan dit programma is de variëteit; hoe je de studie invult ligt bij jezelf
Hoi! Mijn naam is Hans de Jong en ik ben 20 jaar oud. Ik ben derdejaarsstudent bij de studie Europese Talen en Culturen. Als majortaal studeer ik Engels en daarnaast heb ik Spaans gestudeerd als tweede taal. Voor mijn profiel heb ik Taal en Maatschappij gekozen. Aangezien ik in mijn derde jaar zit, volg ik nu een minor in Internationale Betrekkingen, wat me tot zover erg bevalt. Buiten school houd ik me veel bezig met talen en ben vaak buiten in de natuur.
Ik heb Europese Talen gekozen omdat ik zeer geïnteresseerd ben in talen, met name de Europese talen. Ik heb een lange tijd Engels willen studeren, maar ik was nog niet zeker over mijn keuze. Toen ik eenmaal deze studie had gevonden, stond mijn keuze al snel vast. Wat me aantrok aan dit programma is de variëteit; hoe je de studie invult ligt bij jezelf. Naast je hoofdtaal, in mijn geval Engels, kan je ook je eigen profiel(en) en/of tweede taal kiezen. Er is keuze uit drie profielen: Taal en Maatschappij, Cultuur en Literatuur en Politiek en Maatschappij. Van deze profielen heb ik Taal en Maatschappij gekozen, aangezien taal mijn hoofdinteresse is en goed aansluit bij de andere vakken. Binnen Europese Talen en Culturen is het echter ook mogelijk geheel andere keuzes te maken: it’s all up to you.
Sinds de middelbare school heb ik zelf ook Spaans geleerd. ETC gaf me de gelegenheid om mijn Spaans uit te breiden én mijn hoofdtaal te studeren, Engels.
Read moreAfter my graduation, I was certain that I wanted to study something that involves history, politics and languages. The study European Languages and Cultures offers me all of these aspects
My name is Nina Hamann and I am in my second year of studying European Languages and Cultures. My profile is European Politics and Society and my major language is English. I am also taking Russian as a second language. Besides my studies, I like to go to the gym, read, and meet friends.
After my graduation, I was certain that I wanted to study something that involves history, politics and languages. ELC offers me all of these aspects. I also really like the broadness of the programme, which makes me feel secure about my future opportunities.
Are you at secondary school and want to know what studying at university is like? The European Languages and Cultures programme is offering a web class! This online course from the University of Groningen is specially designed for secondary school students.
Are you interested? Please register here.
