Masters Degrees in Social History, Netherlands

What does this Master entail?

In the Master's programme History of Politics and Society you will learn how to use historical insights into the functioning of democracy, citizenship and the market to solve current-day problems.

Use historical insights to solve present-day issues
Have you wondered how some societies manage to achieve wealth, security, justice, and freedom – and eventual happiness – while others do not? What role do citizenship, democracy, and the organisation of the market play in this process? Why do you think it is so difficult to avoid negative effects such as social polarisation and environmental damage?

History and origins of institutions
These are the core questions addressed in our Master’s programme in History of Politics and Society. The central theme is the concept of ‘institutions’, in the broadest sense of the word: the formal and informal rules, customs, and organisational structures that make up a society, but are themselves the result of a historical development process. As such, this programme is closely related to Institutions, one of Utrecht University’s strategic international research themes.

In this programme, you will study the history and origins of institutions over the past 1,000 years. The emphasis is mainly on Europe in the modern age, but emphatically placed within a broader perspective, as the programme also pays attention to other eras and other parts of the world. You will combine your historical knowledge and academic skills with concepts from the social sciences. You will learn how to use comparative research methods, and methods for long-term analysis. You will develop the tools to contribute, as a historian, to the solution of contemporary problems.

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You’ll learn to make connections between the past and the present. You’ll research the ways in which current traditions came to be, and how current views on the past emerged, as well as their role in the present.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/history

Engaging in debate

During the Master’s in History, you’ll develop a set of academic skills such being able to collect different sources and critically analyse them, to interpret data and to form constructive arguments. You’ll also learn how to clearly present research results and how to enter into a debate with historians and other interested parties.

As an academic historian, you’ll have lots of options. You could work for museums, heritage institutions, libraries, archives, political parties, think-tanks or as a policy maker, journalist, teacher or information officer.

Specialisations

The History Master’s has three specialisations: one is English-taught and the other two are Dutch-taught.

- Eternal Rome
In this specialisation, you’ll analyse Rome and its impressive legacy to become acquainted with its ancient history, medieval history, art history, classical philology, archaeology, and literary theory.

- Actuele geschiedenis (i.e. Current History)
You’ll study the tension between current events and history in this specialisation; how it affects the current interpretation of the past and how history is used and abused to give direction to the future.

- Politiek en parlement (i.e. Politics and Parlement)
In this multidisciplinary specialisation history, political science and constitutional law meet. You’ll learn to put political phenomena in a historical context.

Career prospects

As an historian, you’ll be able to identify developments and historical events. You’ll be able to ask different questions and approach issues from a variety of perspectives. Each Master’s specialisation focuses on different professional perspectives. Thus, Politics and Parliament (Dutch) will give you the foundation you need to work in politics in The Hague, whilst the specialisation Eternal Rome will make you an expert in Rome and its many influences on Western society. Read more about your career prospects as a historian with each specialisation:
- Eternal Rome
- Actuele geschiedenis
- Politiek en parlement

Teacher of History in the Netherlands

Want to become a History teacher in secondary education? After completing your Master's in History you can get your ‘eerstegraads bevoegdheid’ to become a teacher in the Netherlands (leraar geschiedenis of maatschappijleer). With this degree, you can teach the higher grades of secondary school in the Netherlands (HAVO and VWO). This one-year postgraduate programme is offered in Dutch by the Radboud Docenten Academie.

PhD programme

If, upon completing your Master’s, you want to become a researcher in this field, you could choose to start a PhD. You’ll need to apply for a temporary position at a university, where you can carry out research and write you PhD paper. Many PhD candidates also teach in their field. A small number of graduates become PhD candidates.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/history

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The Leiden University Institute for History has a broad and wide-reaching academic scope. The Master’s Programme in History is an accurate reflection of this academic range and offers you the chance to obtain a degree based on your own particular interests and ambitions. 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, Political Debate or Economic History.

Visit the website: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/history/en/introduction

Course detail

Strong international orientation and focus on the study of European and non-European history in a global context gives the Leiden MA in History a unique character in the Netherlands. The wide range of chairs in history which include most European and non-European areas, combined with the unique archive material available in Leiden University and in nearby The Hague facilitates a study of nearly all areas of the world.

Specialisations

- Ancient History
- Archival Studies
- Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence
- Colonial and Global History
- Europaeum Programme European History and Civilisation: Leiden-Oxford-Paris Programme
- Europe 1000-1800
- Political Culture and National Identities

Careers

Alumni of the MA in History can be found in almost every sector of the employment market. Many graduates work for public services, while research, business services, banking and financial services, communications and teaching are also increasingly popular. You will also be qualified to carry out advisory work, policy development, management, co-ordination, editing and information services.

Recent graduates are working with companies such as Achmea, Sdu Uitgevers, VPRO/NOS, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Leiden University.

How to apply: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission

Funding

For information regarding funding, please visit the website: http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships

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The two-year Research Master’s in History at Leiden University offers you the chance to determine a study based on your own particular interests and ambitions. With five specialisations on offer—each containing a number of specific subjects — you will pay specific attention to the development of theories on historical processes, historiography and methodology of historical research.

Visit the website: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/history-research/en/introduction

Course detail

Since 2013 Research Master students can participate in a new initiative of Leiden University in cooperation with the Sorbonne (Paris) and Charles University in Prague leading to a separate additional master certificate in European Society and Politics issued by the Europaeum Association of leading European Universities. Check out the full description of the Europaeum Vaclav Havel Programme here: http://www.hum.leiden.edu/ma-history/programmes/research-ma-europaeum-vaclav-havel.html

Format

You experience the riches and challenges of academia not only via frequent meetings with your tutor, but also during the seminars in which staff members and research master’s students discuss one another’s research findings and exchange scholarly views and insights.
You are encouraged to spend the third semester of your research master’s abroad taking a few optional courses and conducting research for your thesis.

Specialisations

- Ancient History (research)
- Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence (research)
- Colonial and Global History (research)
- Europe 1000-1800 (research)
- Political Culture and National Identities (research)

Careers

As a graduate of a two-year research master’s degree you are qualified to work as a junior academic researcher in an academic environment or carry out further research work on a PhD programme. The two-year Research Master’s in History is an outstanding preparation for a PhD in history within or outside Leiden University. You write an elaborate thesis under the supervision of an expert in the field which potentially serves as an excellent starting point for a PhD dissertation.

Those who aim for a position outside academia will discover that the depth and scope of the Research Master’s in History allows you to successfully venture on a career in education, administration, heritage, journalism, business, and many more.

How to apply: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission

Funding

For information regarding funding, please visit the website: http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships

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