The following diploma requirements apply for this programme:

• A bachelor's degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic bachelor's degree, or demonstrate or meet the requirements for such a degree
• Completed accredited historical courses on relevant topics for the chosen specialisation and of sufficient level, to an equivalent of approximately 45 EC
• In case you have not obtained a BA or MA degree from a research university, you need to complete the pre-Master's programme. Read more here.

In addition, applicants must also meet the following qualitative admission requirements:

• A good academic record as an indicator of academic excellence, demonstrated by an average mark of at least 7.5 (Dutch grading system), and a grade for the Bachelor’s thesis of an 8.0 or higher, and
• Additional indicators of academic excellence, such as an excellent motivation to study and suitability for the specific specialisation, and extracurricular activities/professional and practical experience (internships, honours programmes), and
• Affinity with and suitability for scholarly research in the field of the specialisation and the ability to clearly report on research.

The qualitative admission requirements will be implemented as follows:

• Applicants should submit a transcript of the curriculum of previously completed BA- and/or MA-programmes and diploma of the relevant obtained academic degree, including the average mark and the grade of the Bachelor’s thesis.
• Additional indicators of academic excellence should be demonstrated by

1) A well-argued and structured motivation letter in which the applicant indicates why he/she wants to follow the specialisation and convincingly discusses what makes the applicant a good candidate for the specialisation. The statement should be between 700 and 1,500 words.

2) Two reference letters from academic staff members who are acquainted with the academic work of the applicant.

3) The required CV.

• Affinity with the field should be demonstrated by a well-structured Thesis Proposal. All applicants are required to submit a Thesis Proposal of ca. 1500 words, written in accordance with academic standards of the field of the specialisation, accompanied by an annotated bibliography of at least five items, outlining the topic and research question that the applicant wishes to pursue at Leiden University.

In order to successfully participate in this programme, you must be proficient in English. The following requirements apply:

• A minimum score of IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 25 is required for each of the four components
• C2 Proficiency (former CPE) or C1 Advanced (former CAE): 185.

As mentioned above, the Europaeum Programme has a limited capacity. The programme will make a selection on the grounds of the following criteria:

• With regard to admission to the programme, the Admissions Board assesses the knowledge and skills of the applicants on the basis of the files they have submitted.
• If necessary the Board can contact the applicant by mail or telephone at any time during the admission procedure in order to gain further information.

The Admissions Board decides on the basis of the pre-selection in April:

a) which of the non-EU applicants (to a maximum of 3) may be directly admitted into the programme

after the pre-selection in April;

b) which non-EU applicants meet the entry requirements, but are not directly admitted into theb programme – their applications are considered again in June, together with the applications from EU citizens.

c) which applicants cannot be admitted because they do not meet the requirements.

4. The Admissions Board decides on the basis of the assessment in June:

a) which applicants meet the entry requirements for the specialisation – if appropriate on the condition that they have been awarded their bachelor’s degree in time – and can in principle be admitted;

b) which applicants cannot be admitted because they do not meet the requirements.