About the Program

Housed within the European Institute and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), the Masters program offers unique opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of European history, politics, economics, culture, and society while expanding their research, writing, and presentation skills.

Adam Tooze, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of History and the Director of the European Institute, is the MA Program Director, and Tsveta Petrova, Lecturer in the Discipline of Political Science, is the MA Faculty Advisor.

The program gives students the opportunity to work with Columbia’s renowned faculty and to design their own interdisciplinary programs of study. Students can choose any of Columbia’s courses related to modern European topics in Arts and Sciences (social sciences and humanities), the School of International
and Public Affairs (SIPA), and the Law School.

The program can be completed in 12 months but part-time study is also possible.

A two-semester MA colloquium introduces students to topics and issues in the study of Europe and provides intensive research training. Students then write a substantial master’s thesis based on original research.

Students enjoy one-on-one academic and career advising from the program’s Faculty Advisor.

The European Institute offers financial support to its students, including tuition assistance to qualified students, competitive conference grants and grants to conduct research in Europe, and employment opportunities to select students.

The degree is designed for students going on to graduate and professional schools and to careers in business, government, law, and the nonprofit sector.

Created in 1992 as the MA in Modern European Studies, the program changed its name to the MA in European History, Politics, and Society in 2017 to better illustrate the main areas of focus chosen by students.

The MA in European History, Politics, and Society can be taken as a stand-alone program at Columbia. It can also be taken as part of a new Dual Degree launched in December 2022 by Columbia and the London School of Economics (LSE) which pairs the MA in European History, Politics, and Society at Columbia with the MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe at the LSE. Please see the information about the Dual MA/MSc with LSE.

Please note that applicants interested in pursuing the study of earlier periods of Europe may want to consider the MA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

Detailed information on the requirements and courses may be found by clicking on the respective links.

Write to [email protected] for additional information.