Studying Europe from afar provides a number of advantages – of perspective, comparative analysis and of isolation from short-term trends. Europe provides an important cultural and linguistic reference point to New Zealand in an increasingly global community. The European Union (EU) is New Zealand's most significant bilateral partner after Australia and is one of the world's leading political and trading blocs, with 28 member states and 500 million people. European and European Union Studies aims to offer a broad-based, inter-disciplinary programme that embraces the studies of the institutional, legal, political, economic and social aspects of the integration process of the EU as well as the languages and cultures of Europe. The programme encourages the study of European languages within this framework.

A qualification in European and European Union Studies provides students with increasingly relevant and expanding employment opportunities. Graduates with knowledge of Europe are well placed to work in foreign affairs, international trade and development, government service, the business sector, tourism, law, non-government and not-for-profit organisations and in private multinational companies such as Fonterra where European interests are significant.