The Project Year Programme is designed for students who already have 3-5 years of academic experience and a strong interest in Value Studies. Students normally join the programme after completing the Academy Year Programme or with relevant training in disciplines like philosophy, literature, political theory, art history, theology or film theory. The programme has two major components. The first is a year-long research project, arranged in the light of individual background, interests and plans for the future. The work is supervised by one or two members of the ECLA faculty and culminates with a research paper and an oral presentation of the project to the entire ECLA community. The second component is a core course dedicated to the ideals that guide, or perhaps should guide, the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. In 2011-12 the topic is Bildung. Students also take elective courses and may take language classes for extra credit if time allows. Many PY students plan to continue with graduate studies, and in the past five years ECLA has helped place students in some of the best graduate schools in the world, including programmes at Oxford University, New York University, Columbia University and Boston University.