BA/MA Option

The European Institute offers a BA/MA option for qualified current Columbia undergraduates (Columbia College, the School of General Studies, and Barnard College). Students admitted under this BA/MA option begin graduate coursework for the MA in European History, Politics, and Society, or for its dual MA/MSc program with LSE, in their senior year as they complete undergraduate degrees in their respective departments. Requirements for the MA portion of the program are the same as those for the regular European History, Politics, and Society MA degree.

Admissions

Students seeking admission under the BA/MA option should contact the European Institute during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year.

Students apply through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) Admissions Office. Application materials include a statement of purpose, resume, a writing sample, academic transcripts from all undergraduate programs attended, and three letters of recommendation.

Application Deadlines

Applicants interested in the BA/MA option should apply at least two months prior to the semester in which they intend to begin taking courses that will count toward the MA. More information about the BA/MA Option here.

The 2026 BA/MA application is available here.

  • Applicants who wish to begin taking courses for graduate credit during the Spring 2026 semester must submit the BA/MA application by November 13, 2025. (Current seniors)
  • Applicants who wish to begin taking courses for graduate credit during the Fall 2026 semester must submit the BA/MA application by April 23, 2026. (Current juniors).

For seniors in their final semester: contact the European Institute at [email protected] by January 5, 2026. Applicants also need to register for graduate courses by January 16, 2026, and formally apply for the MA program using the regular GSAS online application by January 30, 2026 (early deadline) or March 12, 2026 (regular deadline).

Interested students can contact the European Institute past the deadline.

Write to [email protected] for additional information.

Prerequisites

  • Interest in modern Europe, as demonstrated by courses taken beyond the Core Curriculum and/or study abroad
  • Evidence of ability to meet the program’s language requirement by the time of graduation from the MA program (advanced proficiency, demonstrated by exam or passing a 3000-level language course)
  • Minimum GPA of 3.5, overall and in the major; admission will be rescinded if the GPA drops below 3.5 during the senior year

Transfer Credit

BA/MA students may count up to four graduate level courses, for a maximum of 15 credits and up to 1 Residence Unit (RU), toward requirements for the MA degree. The courses, which must be at the 4000 level or higher, must be approved by the MA Faculty Advisor. The Dean of the student’s undergraduate division must also certify that the courses were taken in excess of the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Financial Aid & Housing

By transferring credits to their MA, students save on the program’s costs. For instance, a student who transfers 15 credit points for four graduate-level courses taken during their senior year can save up to 50% of tuition fees for the MA, and a student who transfers 9 to 12 credit points for three graduate-level courses taken during their senior year can save up to 25% of tuition fees for the MA.

In addition, 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.

Students will have access to the financial aid and housing facilities of their undergraduate divisions until they complete the bachelor’s degree. There is no guaranteed university housing for master’s student in GSAS programs.