The module is divided into the following three blocks:
Block 1: The Fall of Europe, 1914–1945
This block traces the history of Europe from the outbreak of the First World War to the end of the Second World War. You’ll explore how the First World War was experienced by different groups across Europe and how this conflict led to sweeping political and cultural changes. You’ll learn about vibrant interwar culture and ideological struggle between fascism, communism and liberal democracy. You’ll end this block by exploring the worst moral moment: the Second World War and the Holocaust.
Block 2: The Renewal of Europe, 1945–1989
In this block, you’ll learn about the reconstruction of Europe after 1945 and how two competing visions of Europe emerged in East and West. You’ll explore how and why Europe was divided into hostile camps during the Cold War. You’ll learn how decolonisation transformed European politics and societies, before exploring European culture during the ‘revolutionary’ 1960s. This block also examines how economic crisis and societal discontent challenged governments across Europe, before discussing how and why the Cold War ended.
Block 3: A New Europe, 1989–2014
In the third block, you’ll explore how Europe was initially reunified after the Cold War, and how some of the optimistic assumptions about Europe’s future were progressively challenged between 1989 and 2014. You’ll learn how optimism around European integration and a ‘post-national’ Europe was countered by the rise of nationalist political parties. You’ll explore the theme of war, from the Yugoslav Wars to the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. You’ll also examine how neoliberal economic policies transformed Europe after 1989. At the end of the block, you’ll learn about collective memory and commemoration, and why different societies choose to remember – or forget – certain events in European history between 1914 and 2014.
Each block concludes with a Review and Reflect week. In addition to giving you time to review each block, these weeks include live sessions with OU academics and advanced study skills sessions and activities to help you with upcoming tutor-marked assignments.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You will be provided with two module textbooks and have access to a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
A337 is an option module in our:
Europe 1914-2014: the remaking of a continent starts twice a year – in February and October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026 and February 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2038.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on the skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2.
Although no particular modules are required before studying this one, we advise that having taken at least one arts and humanities or social sciences module at OU levels 1 or 2 would be advantageous.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Before starting the module, we’d encourage you to read one or more overviews of Europe since 1914. Here are some suggestions, which you’ll also encounter in the module:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying A337 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
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You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
