History

Stepping stone to a career in research

The History Master’s programme offers you research-based training in history as an academic discipline. We teach you how to do research, and we challenge you to develop your own ideas on topics of your choice. It is exactly because of this room for your preferences, as well as the many opportunities to participate in our ongoing research, that the History Master's programme at Utrecht University stands out. The broad range of expertise of our History Department pertains to the following areas of (early) modern history:

• political history
• cultural history
• history of international relations and conflict studies
• economic and social history

The programme’s courses are taught in small groups by first-rate instructors. You will learn advanced research skills whilst developing historical expertise in your specific areas of interest. We will also challenge you to connect your work to ongoing scholarly debates and to reflect on current affairs.

To develop your skills as an independent researcher, you will have the opportunity to pursue a research internship with a variety of professional organisations. You can also choose to spend one semester abroad at a major research university. Read more about the teaching and research environment, including our teaching staff. 

After graduation

The Research Master in History is designed to train you to become an independent researcher in a specialty of your choice. We will help you develop your creative and analytical skills, but we will also teach you the tricks of the trade: how to ask the right questions, develop a theoretical framework, design empirical strategies, and report your findings. Our interdisciplinary staff will encourage you to participate in collaborative work – both within history and beyond. In your programme you will have the opportunity to actively work on your career development.

After successful completion of the programme, you will be fully qualified to apply for PhD positions. Most of our students aspire to become academic researchers, but you will discover that there is a much broader demand for excellent research skills from non-academic public and private organisations. We encourage our students to explore these job opportunities outside academia. Read more about possible career prospects.

Admission

History is a selective Master’s programme. Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master? Check the entry requirements.