History (MA)
About the programme
Choose from five History specialisations
The Master’s in History offers six specialisations to choose from. The flexible programme design within these specialisations allows you to further tailor your study-activities to your interests.
- Ancient History: Empires, Societies and Cultures: provides you with a comprehensive overview of the history of the Greek and Roman period.
- Beyond Borders: Global and European History: investigate the political and cultural evolution of the world from a long-term, and broad comparative perspective
- Geschiedenis van Nederland in de Wereld: in this new Dutch-taught master's specialisation you will study Dutch history in a global context, from the Middle Ages and the early modern Republic to the kingdom of today
- Governance of Migration and Diversity: this interdisciplinary programme offers you the expertise of three universities on the topics of migration and diversity
- History of Inequality and Power: explore how social, political and economic inequalities have been created, maintained and challenged throughout history
Programme structure
The general structure of the programme is as follows.
- Literature Seminar (10 EC)
- Research Seminar (10 EC)
- Research Workshop (10 EC)
- Optional Courses (10 EC)
- Thesis (20 EC)
For a more detailed programme overview, please check the specialisation of your interest.
Objectives
The one-year Master of Arts in History (study load 60 EC) aims to bring you state-of-the-art knowledge in your subject area of choice. You will pay specific attention to the analysis of historical process, the study of primary sources, conducting historical research, historiography and methodology.
You will acquire advanced academic skills in the interpretation of texts and the analysis of complex conceptual problems, and the ability to independently set up and execute a research project.
Inspired teaching
Students are invited to become part the thriving academic community at the Institute for History. All courses are taught by lecturers who are themselves actively involved in innovative research projects. They are uniquely capable of conveying their knowledge and expertise to the students in an inspiring manner. Courses are updated annually to align with current academic debates and the latest insights. Students are given the opportunity to write their thesis under the supervision of one of the many researchers affiliated with the Institute.
Detailed programme
For a detailed programme, please check the Prospectus. Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may slightly differ.
Kitty O'Connor Morse
History MA student
"Throughout my studies I have had the opportunity to critically engage with both primary and secondary material, something that has significantly sharpened my analytical and research skills. I wrote a research paper exploring the transition of armed groups into electoral politics, utilising my primary research to explore how political legitimacy is constructed in periods of armed conflict. One of the most academically intense, but also rewarding, modules involved reading a book a week on American history, which was massively helpful in improving my critical reading skills, time management, and my ability to synthesise complex narratives."