MA History

Six specialisations and a flexible curriculum

With such a broad curriculum, the master’s programme in History offers you the chance to specialise in niche subject areas not offered elsewhere. A flexible format also allows you to tailor your degree to suit your career goals. To enable you to pursue your own interests as much as possible, the various specialisations have a thematic focus. Within these specialisations there are also possibilities to concentrate on Maritime History, Heritage and Postcolonial Studies, Governance of Migration and Diversity or Economic History.

Specialisations

• Ancient History;
• Europe 1000-1800;
• Europaeum Programme – European History and Civilisation: Leiden-Oxford-Paris Programme;
• Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence (with specialisation Economic History & Governance of Migration and Diversity);
• Colonial and Global History (with specialisations Maritime History or Heritage and Postcolonial Studies);
• Political Culture and National Identities (with specialisation Political Debate).

The Master History (study load 60 EC) offers you the chance to determine a study based on your own particular interests and ambitions. You will pay specific attention to the development of theories on historical processes, historiography and methodology of historical research.

Leading scholars and an individualised approach

At Leiden University, you learn from some of the leading scholars in the field. We have a specialised faculty 'chair' in almost every area of European and non-European history while covering almost all periods from Classical Antiquity to the present. Small-scale classes and intensive mentoring ensure you benefit from their expertise both in and outside of the classroom.

Global and comparative approach

All subjects in the master of History have a strong international orientation. Whichever your focus area, you will acquire a broad, comparative dimension to your knowledge and connect this to the latest global events. This approach to learning is not only unique to this programme but brings you a far broader understanding and an aptitude for critical thinking both of which are highly valued by employers today.

Impression of Leiden research in the Humanities

Three Dutch research institutes will conduct a follow-up study on the use of violence during the Dutch East Indies war of decolonisation (1945 – 1950). The government has designated 4.1 million Euros for this study.

Fieldwork photographs of Meike de Goede, Catherina Wilson and Mirjam de Bruijn (with African Studies student Vera Bakker) have been selected for the LeidenGlobal Photo Exhibition Heritage on the Move.

Although maritime life is characterized by endemic violence, given an environment hostile to man and beyond the authority of the State, its importance to economic and social life has led to public and private initiatives aiming to ensure the development of maritime activities and the defence of interests involved.

How did the Arabs manage to maintain an empire based on Islamic principles for three hundred years? Arab expert Petra Sijpesteijn and her team will be examining this question over the coming five years, focusing on the correspondence of ordinary people. The research is being funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant.

A top-ranking program

According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, History at Leiden University is rated 1st in continental Europe and 17th in the world.

The Master's programme in History at Leiden University equips you with a range of transferable skills and knowledge that will help you stand out in your future career. Your specialised knowledge is complemented by a broad and contextual understanding as well as critical-thinking skills that can be applied to complex conceptual problems. Other skills you may encounter in the various History courses are:

• Analysis
• Problem-solving skills
• Research
• Collaboration
• Creative thinking

Your master will qualify you for roles in almost every sector of the employment market. Many of our graduates work for government and semi-government organizations, education, research institutes, information services, IT, cultural institutes, financial institutions, communications, marketing, business services, and welfare services.

Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:

• Senior Assistant at the European Union
• Consultant in information management
• PhD candidate at various universities
• A history teacher at a secondary school
• Public educational work at a Dutch museum
• Project manager at a text agency
• Heritage researcher of Indonesia for a Dutch museum
• Archive clerk at a Dutch archive
• Communication and organization officer for a Dutch political party
• Digital education officer at a museum
• Policy advisor at a Dutch Ministry
• Research assistant at a Spanish university
• Editor at a publishing house
• Web journalist at a multimedia publishing house