Degree from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO)
This page outlines the step-by-step process for completing your application to a Master's programme at Utrecht University. Please read this information thoroughly before starting your application.
To be admitted to the Master's programme in History of Politics and Society with a degree of a University of Applied Sciences, you almost always have to complete a Pre-Master's programme first. Below you will find the required competences to be admitted to the Master's programme and the selection procedure for the Master's programme. Information about the Pre-Master's programme you will find under step 2.
Competencies
This is a selective Master's. You will be considered for admission to the Master’s programme in History of Politics in Society if you have a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university (or foreign equivalent) and can demonstrate the following knowledge, insight, and skills:
- You have a verifiable interest in political and societal issues. This is demonstrated by your CV and extracurricular activities.
- You are able to analyse and understand complex political and societal situations and processes based on your knowledge of political, social or economic history and your acquaintance with relevant concepts and theories used in these fields. This is demonstrated by a Bachelor’s degree in history with at least 30 EC in advanced courses in political, social or economic history, or by a Bachelor’s degree in political science, sociology, governance studies or economics with a minimum of 30 EC in history; and by your previous academic performance (grades and duration).
- You are able to design and perform historical research using analytical and methodological skills acquired during your Bachelor’s, and you possess good reading and writing skills. This is demonstrated by your previous academic performance (grades and duration) and by your annotated essay submitted as a writing sample as part of your application (see required documents).
- You possess initiative and good communicative and cooperative skills. This is demonstrated by your CV and extracurricular activities.
Selection procedure
The Admissions Committee will decide on your application. Based on documents submitted by you, the committee will assess whether you will be able to successfully complete the Master’s programme within the nominal duration. The committee takes into account:
- General level of professional and intellectual ability, as demonstrated by your previous academic performance.
- Level of relevant knowledge and mastery of relevant methods and techniques.
- Motivation for the Master’s programme and interest in political and societal issues.
- Communicative skills, initiative, and ability to cooperate.
- Command of the language(s) used in the programme.
An interview may be part of the selection procedure if if the documents you have submitted leave questions regarding your suitability, your motivation, or both. If you qualify for an interview, you will receive (by email) an invitation from the Programme Coordinator. Alternatively, if you are residing outside the Netherlands, the interview may be conducted by telephone or through Skype.
Not sure if you are eligible?
Please check the FAQ or contact the Programme Coordinator with questions about your eligibility.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for the Master (see step 1), you might be considered for a Pre-Master's programme. This is for the Admissions Committee to decide. The Pre-Master's programme generally comprises 60 EC (in some cases the Admissions Committee may decide otherwise). You can do the programme full-time or part-time. Upon successful completion of the programme within the set term, you will be admitted to the Master's programme.
Previous education
We offer a Pre-Master's for students who have a Bachelor's degree from a University of Applied Sciences which relates to our Master's programme, for example Journalism or Leraar Geschiedenis.
Whether or not you are eligible for the Pre-Master’s programme depends on the level and content of your previously attained degrees, which should be relevant to the Master’s programme, and on your grade point average, which should be at least 7 out of 10 (not including the grades for internships and other practical assignments). The regular requirements regarding motivation and communicative skills apply to you as well as to all students.
Courses
Fulltime
As a fulltime student, you may choose one of the following two specialisations of the Bachelor's programme in History:
Political Conflict in Modern Europe
In this specialisation we study, among other things, revolutions, Hitler’s and Stalin’s totalitarian regimes, and the historical roots of contemporary populism from an international comparative perspective from the eighteenth century until the present. In this way, you gain in-depth knowledge of the political history of modern Europe, and insight in the most pressing political issues of our times.
Period 1 | Period 2 |
Period 3 | Period 4 |
Research Seminar A. Political Conflict in Modern Europe | Research Seminar B. Political Conflict in Modern Europe |
The Great Challenges: Crises, Inequality and Sustainability
In this specialisation you will analyse why some present-day societies have achieved high living standards, accessible educational systems, and healthy environments, while others have failed to do so. You will discover that at the root of long-term developments usually lie choices and decisions made by ordinary men and women trying to create a better future for themselves and their local communities, whilst dealing with adversity and crisis.
Period 1 | Period 2 |
Period 3 | Period 4 |
Research Seminar A. Challenges of Modern Society | Research Seminar B. Challenges of Modern Society |
You may give your preference for one of the two specialisations, but placement is decided upon by the Bachelor's programme, where regular BA students have priority.
In addition you take the following courses:
- Period 1: Moderne Geschiedenis (level 1)
- Period 2: Eigentijdse Geschiedenis (level 1)
- Period 3: Grondslagen van de geschiedbeoefening (level 3)
- Period 4: Bachelor's thesis (level 3)
Please note: the courses above are part of last year's programme and give a good impression, but the content of your programme may differ.
Part-time
Year 1
- Period 1: Moderne Geschiedenis (level 1)
- Period 2: Eigentijdse Geschiedenis (level 1)
- Period 3: Grondslagen van de geschiedbeoefening (level 3)
- Period 4: A History course by choice at level 2 or 3.
Year 2
In period 1 till 3 you will take courses from one of the two following specialisations of the BA History (see the descriptions above):
- Political Conflict in Modern Europe
- The Great Challenges: Crises, Inequality and Sustainability
You will follow the first three courses from the specialisation: the introduction, Research Seminar A and the case course. You may give your preference for one of the two specialisations, but placement is decided upon by the Bachelor's programme, where regular BA students have priority.
In period 4 you'll write your Bachelor's thesis (level 3).
Please note: the courses above are part of last year's programme and give a good impression, but the content of your programme may differ.
Costs
Have a look at the costs of a Pre-Master’s programme (in Dutch).
Application procedure Pre-Master's programme
If you want to be considered for a Pre-Master's programme, you simply go through the application procedure for the Master's programme, just like students who meet all entry requirements. The Admissions Committee will decide whether you can follow a Pre-Master's programme and what form it should take. Once you have been notified, you can register for the Pre-Master's programme.
Have you completed an HBO programme and are you about to embark on a Pre-Master's programme? Then you might need some support. On the Premaster support page you will find information about the Premaster kick-start, which consists of workshops and useful tips. Utrecht University also offers numerous training courses, such as Academic Learning, Academic English, Research Design and Scientific Writing.
Applications open | 1 October |
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Application deadline for scholarship candidates | 1 February |
Application deadline for Non-EU passport holders | 1 April |
Application deadline for EU passport holders | 1 June |
All deadlines expire at 23:59 [CET/CEST] on the specified date. You must complete the application process (including submitting your application documents in OSIRIS Online Application and paying the application fee) by this time.
The following documents must be uploaded before the application deadline:
Diploma or graduation statement
A scan of your transcript (including courses, grades and GPA)
Please make sure the document has a stamp and signature of the institute.Writing sample: Assignment. Write an annotated essay of 800 words (+/- 10%) in which you answer the question ‘It is possible to enact far-reaching economic reforms without enacting political reforms?’. Illustrate your argument with historical or contemporary examples.
Visit Studielink and complete the registration process. You can find all information on how to use Studielink here. After completing your Studielink application, you will receive login details for OSIRIS Online Application within 2 working days.
Apply via StudielinkAfter submitting your application to Studielink, you will receive an email with login details for OSIRIS Online Application. Here you can upload all required documents, check the status of your application and enter contact details of your referee(s).
After you upload all documents in OSIRIS, the Graduate School will evaluate them. We strive to inform you of our decision within 20 working days.