History

Are you a talented student of History? Is a career in research something you aspire to? Then this programme is exactly what you are looking for.

The Research Master's degree programme in History offers the two-year Master's tracks Classical, Medieval and Early Modern Studies .

Classical, Medieval and Early Modern Studies explores Classical Antiquity, the Middle Ages and Early Modernity in Europe and the Middle East. You will study the similarities and differences between these periods. In addition, you will gain fundamental insights into the cultural changes that preceded the modern period.

Facts & Figures

Degree: MA in History (research)
Course type: Research master
Duration: 24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code: 60139
Language of instruction: English
Start: February, September
Faculty: Arts

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Why study this programme in Groningen?

Classical, Medieval and Early Modern Studies:

Intensive supervision by high-quality researchers in small groups
Unique approach that allows you to embed your chosen discipline in wider diachronic or synchronic fields
Research Assistantships

Modern History and International Relations:

Intensive supervision by high-quality researchers in small groups
A challenging multidisciplinary approach
Research Assistantships

Programme

Programme options
Modern History and International Relations (track) Are you a talented student and interested in modern history and international relations? Is a career in research something you aspire to? Then this track is exactly what you are looking for. You can take the Master's track in Modern History and International Relations as a track within the Research Master's degree programme in History or the Research Master's degree programme in International Relations. The two-year Master's track in Modern History and International Relations teaches you to carry out independent academic research in the fields of modern and contemporary history and international relations. You will explore recent developments in these fields and study relevant theoretical and methodological backgrounds. You will learn about subjects such as international political economy, the history of cultural identity and European cooperation and integration. As a student of this programme you work in small groups and are supervised by highly qualified researchers. The programme is closely related to the research carried out at the Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG) and the N.W. Posthumus Institute. More information about this option
Classical Medieval and Early Modern Studies (track) Are you interested in the history, literature and culture of classical and ancient civilizations? Is a career in research something you aspire to? Then this track is just what you are looking for. This two-year Research Master's track is a track of the three different Research Master's degrees programmes, namely in History, Literary Studies, and Classics and Ancient Civilizations. As such, Classical, Medieval and Early Modern Studies offers a multidisciplinary environment. Depending on your background and research interests, you will decide on your main subject. You can focus on history and choose between Ancient, Medieval or Early Modern History. You can also focus on literature. Then your options are Latin, Greek, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch or German Literature. The track studies Classical Antiquity, the Middle Ages and Early Modernity in Europe and the Middle East. You will explore the similarities and differences between these periods. In addition, you will gain fundamental insights into the cultural changes that preceded the modern period. You can design your own programme to fit your interests. You will take specialist tutorials and courses on theory and method, and finish the programme by writing a thesis. More information about this option
Master's Honours Programme (honours program) The Master's Honours Programme was developed especially for students who want to get more from their studies. It is a programme worth 15 ECTS that is followed in addition to the standard Master's programme. It is a one-year interdisciplinary programme that is designed to introduce students to various aspects of leadership.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
grade list	Excellent academic record.
language test	Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum of 25 on writing skills), or IELTS 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Language Centre English Test (LCET) level C1. If you have a VWO diploma a language test is not required.
previous education	BA degree in: History
reference letter	Two letters of recommendation from relevant experts.
written request	No further information
other admission requirements	Furthermore, the selection procedure is also based on an evaluation of degree certificates, individual results and the thesis or paper.

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
grade list	Excellent academic record.
language test	Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum of 25 on writing skills), or IELTS 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Language Centre English Test (LCET) level C1.
previous education	BA degree in: History
reference letter	Two letters of recommendation from relevant experts.
written request	No further information
other admission requirements	Furthermore, the selection procedure is also based on an evaluation of degree certificates, individual results and the thesis or paper.

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	01 May 2020	01 September 2020
Dutch students	15 October 2020	01 February 2021
EU/EEA students	01 May 2020	01 September 2020
EU/EEA students	15 October 2020	01 February 2021
non-EU/EEA students	01 May 2020	01 September 2020
non-EU/EEA students	15 October 2020	01 February 2021

Tuition fees

Nationality	Year	Fee	Programme form
EU/EEA	2019-2020	€ 2083	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2019-2020	€ 12500	full-time
EU/EEA	2020-2021	€ 2143	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2020-2021	€ 13500	full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch students International students

After your studies

Job prospects

After graduation you are well prepared for a career in historical research. You can continue your academic career in a PhD trajectory or carry out research at a private or governmental research institute. You can also work in journalism, museums, cultural organizations or publishing. Other possibilities are jobs in governmental organizations or in business.

Job examples

Historic researcher

Research

Research in the Centre for Historical Studies

The Centre is devoted to research on a wide range of aspects of historical investigation spanning from Classical Antiquity to our own time. Research interests are mainly focused on the cultural, social, political and economic diversity of Western societies, but also expand to the non-western world (notably South East Asia, Africa) and cover issues such as post-colonialism and transnationalism.

Three research groups facilitate interdisciplinary research on themes which are at the heart of current debates in historical disciplines and the wider society. Researchers operate interdisciplinary and international.

'Sustainable societies: past and present' studies forms and practices, arrangements, cultures and institutions which explain and contribute to the social coherence and sustainability of societies from antiquity to the present. It is unique in its endeavour to lay bare the historical and cultural roots of the present-day relationship between politics, state and society. It addresses explicitly the role of literary, artistic and religious culture in these processes alongside that of the more familiar political institutions.
'Regions, Networks, Mobility': research in this theme group is based on the idea that money, goods, news, knowledge and beliefs function and become meaningful in networks of exchange within or crossing borders. The complexity of the historical processes involved is addressed interdisciplinary, thereby challenging economic, social, cultural and political historians as well as other researchers in the arts and humanities and beyond to cooperate and develop new and exciting insights and interpretations. The theme is embedded in Groningen's research strength in the history of regions and in the evolving new research area of the circulation of knowledge.
'Thinking about History and Historical Culture'. The University of Groningen has a long and internationally recognized expertise in the metahistorical reflection of history and culture. The aim of this research group is twofold: to surpass the limits of one single historiographical perspective and to analyze human memory as it manifests itself in (auto-)biographical writing, historical products of individuals or groups that collect, record or write 'their own' history such as game designers, historical novelists and film producers.

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18Nov

Master's WeekBroerstraat 5More information

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Contact

If you want to know more about the programme History, please contact:

Ask Your Question Here (please fill in this contact form, we will answer you as soon as possible.)
Juliet Resch (Master Ambassador Classical, Medieval and Early Modern Studies)
Nadja Zadorina MA (coordinator: for all questions regarding application)
Email: n.a.zadorina rug.nl
Drs. Kirsten van Ophem (study advisor)
Email: k.j.van.ophem rug.nl

Research Fellow at Clingendael Institute

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Five years ago I enrolled in the Research Master's track in Modern History and International Relations at the University of Groningen. It was a small-scale programme that gave you the opportunity to develop further in a specific field of research in a group of 10 students. That appealed to me, as did the interesting modules that were offered alongside the regular programme, such as 'Euroculture' and the summer school 'Democracy and Transitional Justice'.

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PhD student at the University of Groningen

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After completing my Bachelor's degree programme in English Language and Culture I was on the lookout for more depth and specialization. This Research Master's programme was just what I was looking for. I was also able to broaden my knowledge by following a number of private seminars and tutorials.

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Research Master's Student Patty Huijbers About Her Research Assistants Programme

– Patty Huijbers

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I choose the courses that are fitting my interests: ancient history

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I applied at several universities but chose Groningen because of the interdisciplinarity of the programme and the fact that in contrast to other universities, Groningen offers a two-year programme instead of one. More importantly, the lesser amount of tuition fees, comparing to other countries, has been an important motivation for doing my master's degree here in the Netherlands.

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I specialized in African Studies and International Development

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After gaining my Bachelor's degree in History I started the Research Master's track in Modern History and International Relations at the University of Groningen. My History programme was rather broad-based and I knew that this Master's track offered a lot of room for personal preferences and specialization. During my Master's I specialized in African Studies and International Development.

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Practical information

Holland Scholarship

Are you an international student from a non EU/EEA member state starting a Research Master's programme or Erasmus Mundus Master's programme at the Faculty of Arts? If so, you could qualify for the Holland Scholarship, a partial scholarship which helps you to finance your studies.

Research Assistants Programme

Talented and motivated students who start in September in one of the five Research Master Programmes offered by the Faculty of Arts, may apply for a paid position of one day a week at the university.

Read more about the Research Assistants Programme positions.

Study associations

Ubbo Emmius

Ubbo Emmius is the Study Association of History at the University of Groningen.

It offers both study related assistance and extracurricular activities. With approximately 800 members, it is one of the biggest associations within the faculty. Ubbo offers both formal activities (lectures, exam trainings, an annual conference) and social events (parties, movie nights, varying activities). Ubbo is a great way to meet your fellow history students outside of the lecture hall. Moreover, members of Ubbo Emmius get discounts on textbooks.

https://www.ubbo-emmius.nl/en

Synthesis

Synthesis is the new study association for all Research Master students from the Faculty of Arts. Synthesis is both a social network and a platform for the academic development of young scholars. Given our shared interest in academic research, Synthesis organizes a variety of seminars, lectures and workshops about academic skills or career strategy with interesting speakers from different fields.

Synthesis also aims to create and maintain an active Research Master community by organizing social activities such as drinks, dinners and fun trips. Join our Facebook group for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/468316950175210/