On 17 February 2018, we hosted a live webinar on the History Bachelor's programme. Did you miss it? Don't worry, you can watch the recording on the History Webinar Page.
The highly regarded Keuzegids Bachelor's Selection Guide 2017 ranked Utrecht University’s History programme as the best in the field in the Netherlands.
Why should we be concerned with the past? After all, aren't we living in the here and now? In the History programme you will learn that historical studies are not just about the past, but are also about the present: you will use your historical knowledge to understand contemporary events.
You will study history based on all kinds of sources: from original letters to coins and inscriptions and from diplomatic treaties to propaganda images. You will collect and evaluate evidence, which you will then analyse and interpret. These are highly transferable skills.
At Utrecht we also think that it’s important to put everything into perspective. This means that several - sometimes contradictory - views of the past play a central role.
In the first year you will become acquainted with history from antiquity to modern times, though not necessarily in that order. From the second year on, you can choose to obtain more in-depth knowledge of historical backgrounds and events through our History track. For students who are especially interested in International Relations, we offer an International Relations in Historical Perspective track.
From day one, you follow the course programme in English: all the compulsory courses and lectures are taught in English and you will also present your ideas and write your assignments and exams in English. Besides that, you have a broad range of interests and are you also ready to dig deep. A history student is extremely curious. But you’re not just looking for answers. You want to ask questions and become involved in the social debate. Does this appeal to you? In that case, our BA History programme may be just the thing for you.
Have a look at a sample lecture given by Maarten Prak, Professor of Economic and Social History from the History Bachelor's programme at Utrecht University.
