Europaeum Programme European History and Civilisation (MA)

Career prospects

How successful are they in finding a job?

• 64 % found a job within two months
• 82 % found their first job at academic level

Career preparation

Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.

Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at the Humanities Career Service provides all Leiden University Humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. The Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV. Check our video and hear from our alumni how they have benefited from our services!

A Leiden University degree

Leiden University Master's graduates are sought-after employees at (inter)national organisations. Our graduates are known for their combination of robust academic training, in-depth and relevant knowledge, and critical, multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.

Teacher qualification

If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can apply for the Dutch-taught teacher-training MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education after graduating from the master’s programme. To be admitted, you need to have a master’s degree in the  relevant discipline. Fluency in Dutch is mandatory, and additional entry requirements may apply. Please visit the ICLON website to learn more about the different teacher training programmes at ICLON.

What our graduates do

As a graduates of the  Europaeum programme in European History and Civilisation you can find employment in international organisations, for example in governance bodies, such as EU institutions, as well as in national government. Also, you may want to join the internationally-oriented business/private sector or enter academia/research. Many of our students carry on to take a second MA degree and quite a few are accepted to PhD positions.

To give you an indication:

• About one-third of Europaeum graduates make a career for themselves in international organisations, frequently in governance bodies, such as EU institutions, as well as in national government. Some find employment at organisations such as the World Bank and the United Nations.
• Another third of graduates have joined the internationally-oriented business/private sector, working for organisations such as Mackenzie, Shell, Phillips and Siemens.
• And roughly one-third enter academia/ the research world.
• Alumni also find teaching positions at universities, and occasionally also in high schools.

Thomas Kerstens

Followed the Europaeum programme European History and Civilisation: Leiden-Oxford-Paris Programme (MA History)

"Currently, I work as a researcher at the Brussels office of APCO Worldwide, a global public affairs consultancy. Every day, I work with an international team to analyse EU policies and developments which are relevant to clients from all over the world."

Trimesters in Leiden, Paris, and Oxford

"Since the Europaeum MA had a diverse programme, consisting of trimesters in Leiden, Paris, and Oxford, I learned two valuable lessons. First, students had to familiarise themselves with new concepts and master them quickly. This skill proved vital when I started working in public affairs. The common denominator of my clients was that they all demanded a rapid elucidation of political or industrial policies, no matter how complicated or novel. Secondly, studying in different countries with fellow students of various nationalities taught me how to work in international groups or teams. Since my masters' degree, I continued to use this skill on a daily basis, during subsequent studies abroad, a traineeship at the Cabinet of First Vice-President Timmermans at the European Commission and my work at APCO Worldwide."

The perfect foundation for an international career

"I decided to apply for the Europaeum MA as the prospect of being taught by leading academics at three renowned European universities seemed very exciting. Moreover, it felt like this unique programme would be the perfect foundation for an international career. Looking back at precious memories, such as my discussions in Parisian bars with my favourite professor from the Sorbonne, and the new doors that the Europaeum opened for me in academic and professional circles, I can say that the programme definitely lived up to my expectations and even went beyond."

The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA History 2016-2020.

• 22 % Government and semi-government organisations
• 14 % Education
• 12 % Research
• 8 % Information management
• 6 % IT
• 5 % Culture, sports and recreation
• 5 % Financial institutions
• 5 % Communication and marketing
• 4 % Business services
• 3 % Welfare and health
• 16 % Other

In which sector do students find jobs?