Education

The lecturers working in the section of Medieval History are all internationally active researchers. Our research and expertise therefore help us determine the curriculum, with focal points in the early Middle Ages, and in the transition to the early modern period. In designing our teaching, we collaborate intensively with our colleagues in both Ancient History and Cultural History.

For Bachelor's students

The Foundations of Europe

In the second year of the Bachelor History, we offer the specialisation The Foundations of Europe, for students with a special interest in how Europe became what it is today. In this curriculum, we explore the origins of the great diversity of languages, cultures and religious traditions within Europe from an ancient and medieval perspective. We will do this by closely studying the available sources: papyri, manuscripts, charters and inscriptions, as well as coins and archaeological objects. We conclude with an excursion to ancient and medieval centres such as Maastricht, Cologne, Aachen, Bruges, Luxembourg, or one of the many other places (other than Utrecht, of course) where the medieval past remains clearly visible.

Minor Middle Ages

The Middle Ages minor offers an in-depth introduction to the world of the European Middle Ages. Attention is paid to thinking about the Middle Ages in later times and to existing images of this period. The approach is always interdisciplinary, combining historical, literary and art-historical perspectives to build a picture of the period. Each course is coordinated and taught by lecturers from different disciplines.

For Master's students

Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Within the two-year interdisciplinary research Master's programme Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, students have a choice of four tracks: Ancient Studies, Medieval Studies, Early Medieval Insular Languages and Cultures and Renaissance Studies. In the Medieval Studies track, you will specialise in medieval history, art history, literature or musicology. Both the Early Medieval Insular Languages and Cultures track and the Renaissance Studies track combine literary studies with historical linguistics.