European Expansion and Globalisation

Specialisation of: History
Degree: Master of Arts in History
Mode of Study: Full-time and part-time
Duration: 1 year (full-time); 1,5 years (part-time)
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 66034
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The Master’s programme in the History of European Expansion and Globalisation focuses on the global interaction between Europe and the other continents including Asia, Africa and the Americas. You will investigate the (reciprocal) political, socio-economic and cultural impact of colonial domination and post-colonial nation-building and development.
The programme stimulates a highly comparative and connective attitude towards cross-cultural phenomena such as diasporas, trading companies, maritime trade, including the slave trade, colonial empires, religious missions (both Christian and Islamic) and intelligence networks.


What makes the Leiden programme unique is the combination of this global, bird’s eye view with a down to earth, in-depth use of primary sources, always under the close supervision of first-class Leiden scholars.


Within this specialisation you can also focus on Maritime History.

Career

Alumni of the MA in History can be found in almost every sector of the employment market. Over 38 per cent of Leiden historians can be found working in commerce, 47 per cent in government organisations and approximately 15 per cent in non-profit organisations.

Many graduates work for public services , while research, business services, banking and financial services, communications and teaching are also increasingly popular. You will also be qualified to carry out advisory work, policy development, management, co-ordination, editing and information services.

Teacher training

If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can follow a teacher-training MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education once you have graduated from the master’s programme. You have to speak fluent Dutch to follow the course, and there are some additional entry requirements.

Some figures about graduates of History

How succesful are they in finding a job?

  • 98 % found a job within six months.
  • 74 % found their first job at academic or HBO (higher professional) level.
  • 94 % held a position at academic or HBO level when the study was carried out.

In which sector do they find jobs?

  • Business services: 226
  • Government / semi-government: 207
  • Teaching: 162
  • Research: 117
  • Communication and journalism: 81
  • Consultancy: 63
  • Other: 144

What are their main tasks and responsibilities? (%)

  • Providing advice: 30
  • Writing / editing / translating: 26
  • Research: 25
  • Policy-making / preparation: 24
  • Co-ordination of work: 19
  • Teaching / lecturing / training: 16

Source: Employment Market Study among Leiden Graduates of History (2009, Student Career Service Humanities )

What our alumni say

“You learn to set priorities, to divide texts into what’s important and what isn’t. The ability to apply this to large amounts of information is a vital skill.”

“The MA in History is challenging, interesting and inspiring. The lecturers expect you to already have acquired research and writing skills. You are encouraged to make in-depth studies of relevant issues yourself, and to develop your own approach. You have to form your own opinion and be able to defend it using sources you have identified yourself. During the process there is every opportunity for debate, both with fellow students and with teaching staff.

What I found most challenging was learning to handle the independent nature of the programme. I have a full-time job in addition to my study, a combination that forced me to learn to set priorities and to plan all the different tasks I had to so. It taught me a lot about self-motivation.

In the History programme you learn to handle large amounts of text, to separate out the things you need from those you don’t. It becomes more difficult if you have to do this for several different subjects. You have to present your story and argumentation clearly and logically to other people. You learn to set priorities, to divide texts into what’s important and what isn’t. The ability to apply this to large amounts of information is a vital skill.”

Michiel Flinkenflögel – teacher international boarding school