The University of UVic is a medium-sized university with 21,000 students. It has created a specific programme dedicated to European Union Studies. Since 1997, UVic has been offering an interdisciplinary European Studies programme and conducts extensive research on EU-related topics. UVic also hosts 2 Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence, 3 Jean Monnet Chairs and has led as leader 5 Jean Monnet projects, 2 Jean Monnet networks and has been a partner in three other networks. It has also obtained several Jean Monnet Modules and has been involved in different projects of the EU Centres of Excellence (EUCE). UVic has also twice chaired and organised the European Community Studies Association-Canada conference. In the field of European Studies, it is therefore one of the most dynamic universities in North America.
UVic’s European Studies programme offers a specialisation in Political Science and an option in Interdisciplinary European Studies. This programme combines 12 departments and 4 faculties. The Faculty European Studies Program is composed of researchers in History, History of Art, Political Science, Sociology, Law, Economics, Philosophy, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Slavic and Germanic Studies, English, Geography and the School of Public Administration. Thus, the faculty is extremely diverse and brings together a pool of academic expertise, cultural knowledge and language skills. Although the interdisciplinary programme focuses on undergraduate studies, it also attracts many Master’s and PhD students who support research on European integration at UVic.
Building on the academic and research results already acquired UVic is in the process of creating an EU Research Institute, with the institutional support of its Research Office. This effort is a consequence of the generous support that UVic has received from the EU in recent years. The objective of the EU Research Institute is to promote excellence in teaching and research in European Studies and to establish UVic as a leading institution on the EU and European integration in North America.
