Global Order in Historical Perspective (MA)

A top-ranking programme

Our staff are comprised of leading international relations scholars, historians, and area studies specialists. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, History at Leiden University is rated 1st in the Netherlands and 18th in the world.

What will you study?

In this Master’s programme you will:

• study the ways in which global order has historically changed;
• discuss different ideas and practices of state-making, revolutions, imperialism, economic change, institutions, war, law, rights, diplomacy, objects, and technology, among others, underline the historical emergence of the contemporary world;
• interrogate these issues from a wide range of analytical perspectives and categories, including those of race, class, and gender.

Why study Global Order in Historical Perspective at Leiden University?

The specialization is distinct in its focus on Global Order for several reasons: 

• Our course offerings benefit from a wide range of multidisciplinary and regional expertise. Our staff are drawn from History, Area Studies and International Relations. 
• The depth and width of our expertise is reflected in the extensive list of electives we offer, which cover all major regions of the world as well as key functional areas. In 2022-23, we offered in total 29 electives that students could choose from. 
• Additional focus on ‘historical methods’ in research training. As the oldest university in the Netherlands, Leiden University has vast archival holdings on various regions of the world. The Dutch National Archives are located in the Hague. This makes historical research on Global Order in our programme easier and more exciting.
• The Hague, being the international city of peace and justice, is home to several international, governmental and non-governmental organisations, including The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court as well as institutes such as the Netherlands Institute of International Relations. 
• Through field visits and as part of our internship programme, students have an opportunity to engage with such organisations closely. 
• We also focus on developing key skills among students. Lectures uses a variety of course assessment methods including podcasting, oral presentations, visual essays, group-work, policy writing, and analytical essays. 

Learn more about the study programme

Tom de Groot

Program Lead Security at Centre for Professional Learning Leiden University

I decided to study International Relations because I wanted to gain a better understanding of foreign affairs. The MA specialisation Global Order in Historical Perspective offers a unique perspective on how the current global order and political architecture came about and gives you a better understanding of the role international institutions play (and do not play) in myriad international issues that remain relevant today.

Before the master’s programme I studied International Studies. There is some degree of overlap between the two, as both programmes for example cover IR theory and are conscious to avoid Eurocentric perspectives. The main difference, however, is that in International Studies you specialise in particular areas of the world, whereas in International Relations you choose a thematic specialisation and focus more on the role of international organisations. As a history enthusiast this thematic specialisation was exactly what I was looking for.

My advice to prospective IR students would be to do an internship and start early considering what kind of work would suit them. IR is both a broad and competitive field and it helps to have some idea of where your interests lie and what you think you would enjoy doing before graduating.

Sebastian Jakob Strohmayer

Corporate Strategy and Policy Advisor at HanseWerk AG

My time at Leiden University was transformative. The MAIR programme, with a specialisation in Global Order in Historical Perspective, provided me with a deep understanding of the political and economic forces that have shaped our world. This historical lens continues to help me navigate today’s shifting policy, market, and energy landscapes and has equipped me to contribute meaningfully to dynamic, collaborative projects throughout my career.

Now, as a Corporate Strategy and Policy Advisor at HanseWerk AG, a leading energy company in Germany, I regularly draw on the programme’s emphasis on analytical thinking, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. What prepared me most for the professional world, however, was not only the rigorous and high-quality coursework but also the diverse peer group within the MAIR programme. It showcased again and again the value in others’ experiences, in seeking out different perspectives, and to embrace varied approaches to solving complex challenges. For all these reasons and many more, I cannot recommend the MAIR programme highly enough—it gave me a strong foundation for a purpose-driven career rooted in holistic and empathetic thinking.

Humanities focus

During the MA International Relations you will draw on a multiplicity of perspectives and expertise across the Faculty of Humanities, and examine a range of different issues, from politics and ideologies to the evolution of international law and diplomacy, the emergence of civil society and the rise on non-state actors. The master’s degree in International Relations also explores the development of institutions such as the UN, which structure interactions and power relations within the international system.

What are your career prospects?

This Master's prepares you for a wide range of roles in almost every sector of the job market. Our graduates work at different types of organisations, such as research institutes, international organisations, government bodies, media and academia. Jobs include policy advisor, consultant and journalist.

Find out more about the career prospects

Is Global Order in Historical Perspective the programme for you?

Are you interested in international relations? Do you want to examine the historical processes behind the evolution of the global order? Then the specialisation in Global Order in Historical Perspective at Leiden University is the right Master's programme for you. Find out if you are eligible for this Master's programme by checking the admission requirements.

Check the admission requirements

Do a second MA at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe: School of Advanced International Studies

Due to a special agreement, students with a Leiden MA degree in International Relations can earn a second degree at the European Campus of Johns Hopkins University SAIS in Bologna, Italy. Successful applicants gain access to the second year of the research focused Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) and will be given a full year’s credit towards this two-year MA. The programme is research-orientated and allows students to personalise their curriculum and focus on the contemporary issues in international affairs aligned with their career interests. The courses offered at SAIS Europe emphasise economics, political science, history and foreign language proficiency, providing a cross-disciplinary approach.