What does it mean to be European today? This minor takes a cultural approach to European identities. You will analyse historical, literary, visual, and digital sources to understand how culture shapes Europe. You will be trained in the methodologies of cultural analysis, as well as in comparative and interdisciplinary thinking. Key themes include nationalism, religion, class, gender, populism, and (post)colonialism.
This interdisciplinary minor suits students from any Humanities or Social Science background wanting to understand Europe’s cultural complexity. It equips you not only with cultural knowledge and awareness, but also with analytical and critical thinking skills that are highly relevant for careers in policy, media, education, cultural institutions, and international organisations.
This minor is offered by the Faculty of Humanities. The faculty’s minors consist of 30 ECTS credits and earn you a second qualification that will be listed on the transcript accompanying your degree certificate.
In the second semester, you can choose up to 12 EC from the courses mentioned in the schedule.
Choose two of the following courses: 'Culture Wars: Polarization in European Society and Identity', ' New Perspectives on Franco-German Relations', ' Post-colonial Encounters in Arts and Culture' and 'Spain: Mediterranean Microcosm of Europe'.
This minor may serve as a good preparation for academic Bachelor’s students who want to apply for admission to a Master's programme European Studies, e.g.: Identity and Integration or East European Studies. Always check the entry requirements on the Application and Admission page of the Master’s programme you are interested in.
This minor is open for application to students who have obtained an academic first-year diploma or a positive Binding Study Advice from an academic Bachelor's programme.
The minor is also open for application to students from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) who have completed their propaedeutic year. If you are an HBO student and if you are looking to do a Master's programme at the UvA, please check out our pre-Master's programmes, as completing a minor is not enough to grant you access to Master’s programmes.
You can register for a minor in the Academic year 2026-2027 from 1 April to 6 May 2026.
This minor has a limited number of places available. If there are more applications than available places, a lottery will be held. The timing of your application within the specified period will not affect your chances of being placed.
Are you not a UvA student? Please check here for which Bachelor's programme you need to register at the UvA as an elective course student.