History (research)

Degree: Master of Arts in History (research)
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English. Classes for which reading knowledge of Dutch is required may be taught in Dutch.
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60139
Specialisations:
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The two-year Research Master’s in History offers you the chance to determine a study based on your own particular interests and ambitions. With five specialisations on offer—each containing a number of specific subjects—you will pay specific attention to the development of theories on historical processes, historiography and methodology of historical research.

As a graduate of a two-year research master’s degree you are qualified to work as a junior academic researcher in an academic environment or carry out further research work on a PhD programme.

With effect from September 2012, the name of this programme will change to History (Research)

The two-year Research Master’s in History is an outstanding preparation for a PhD in history within or outside Leiden University. You write an elaborate thesis under the supervision of an expert in the field which potentially serves as an excellent starting point for a PhD dissertation.

You experience the riches and challenges of academia not only via frequent meetings with your tutor, but also during the Institute’s monthly seminar in which staff members and research master’s students discuss one another’s research findings and exchange scholarly views and insights.
You are encouraged to spend the third semester of your research master’s abroad taking a few optional courses and conducting research for your thesis.

Those who aim for a position outside academia will discover that the depth and scope of the Research Master’s in History allows you to successfully venture on a career in education, administration, heritage, journalism, business, any many more.

Prof. Leo Lucassen

Leo Lucassen

“By placing migration, integration and urbanisation in a historical perspective, we consider migration as a structural feature of human communities.”

“The master’s specialisation in Migration and Global Interdependence is one of the five research themes of the Department of History. We teach students to think in historical terms about migration, networks and institutions. We place developments in their historical context and compare them both in terms of time and place, using comparative history as an important tool. To what extent does the structure of a city, a region or a country influence integration, for example?

Migration is a very topical subject. Why is migration regarded now, as opposed to at other times, as problematical? On the one hand, the development of the welfare state, which also manifests itself at a local level, plays a role. National governments are struggling with the dilemma that they need migrants for the employment market, but they do not want these migrants to make too much use of the social security provisions.

On the other hand, at the same time since the French Revolution increasing emphasis has been placed on equality in Western Europe. This means that we are less accepting of inequality than previously. It also implies that in statistical terms inequality is made more visible than in the past, whereby newcomers, particularly those who integrate more slowly, are categorised as problematical.

By placing migration, integration and urbanisation in a historical perspective, we consider migration as a structural feature of human communities. This master’s therefore stresses continuities with past experiences, but at the same time shows important breaks with previous periods. In my view that’s very important.”