The following diploma requirements apply for this programme:

• A bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in History or a comparable degree with a relevant specialisation. 

If you can demonstrate a level of knowledge, understanding and skills equal to that of holders of a degree mentioned above, you may be eligible.

All applicants must:

• have a bachelor’s degree from a research university that matches the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree, or demonstrate to meet the requirements for such a degree, including general academic skills;
• be able to conduct independent empirical research;
• be able to read academic literature and critically reflect on it;
• have a knowledge of general history and be able to present their findings (based on critically reading the literature or on empirical research) in a systematic and analytical manner;
• be able to write a thesis with proper references to the literature.

You may be asked to submit a writing sample, that shows your knowledge, understanding and skills.

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

• Have sufficient knowledge of languages (other than English) relevant for study and research within the chosen specialisation;
• Good grades comparable with an average mark of at least 7.5 (Dutch grading system) for their entire bachelor’s programme, and a grade for the bachelor’s thesis of an 8 or higher;
• Affinity with and suitability for scholarly research in the specific field of the programme/specialisation;
• Demonstrable motivation to study and suitability for the particular Research MA programme/specialisation.

The qualitative admission requirements will be implemented as follows:

• You are asked to provide a transcript of records and diploma of the relevant obtained academic degree.
• Affinity with the field should be demonstrated by a “Research Proposal”. All applicants are required to submit a Research Proposal of approximately 1000 words, accompanied by an annotated bibliography of at least five (5) items, outlining the topic or field of research that the applicant wishes to pursue at Leiden University, and indicating the names of one or two faculty members who might guide that research.
• Your motivation and suitability for your chosen specialization should be demonstrated by a well-argued and structured motivation letter in which the applicant indicates why he/she wants to follow the History programme and convincingly discusses what makes the applicant a good candidate for the research MA programme. The statement should be between 700 and 1,500 words.

English Language Proficiency

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

IELTS: 7.0; where each separate component score must be at least 7.0;

• We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
• We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator.

TOEFL (Internet based) 100, where each separate component score must be at least 25.

• We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situations only:
  You took the test before 1 Sept 2022 (and it is not more than 2 years old), or you are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
• We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™  or institutional tests such as ITP.

See also the English test score equivalency table of Leiden University.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old.

You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have completed an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university.

Note that for this research master programme you cannot be granted an exemption for the English proficiency test based on a Dutch pre-university (vwo) diploma.

According to Dutch law, Leiden University is required to reimburse students with a Dutch pre-university (VWO) diploma for any extra costs they make for meeting the English language requirements. You can be reimbursed for the costs of the English language test if you meet the following conditions:

- You have obtained a Dutch VWO-diploma; and
- You have successfully completed the English language test; and
- You are admitted unconditionally to the research master programme; and
- You are enrolled in the research master programme.

After admission to the programme, you will be informed on how to submit the request for reimbursement of the test costs.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.