Migration and Global Interdependence

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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Migration, integration, discrimination, urbanisation, citizenship, social cohesion, civil society, global interactions and economic crises: all these are currently major topics of political and public debate. They are the issues around which the Migration and Global Interdependence specialisation centres.

Career

Since this is a specialisation that studies the historic roots of many current debates, it prepares our students not only for work in the academic world and in teaching. Our graduates also work for local, national and international government and non-government organisations. They work as politicians, and journalists and for trade unions, publishers and museums.

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. Follow the link ‘Teacher education/ Lerarenopleiding’ in the related programmes section for more information.

Some figures about graduates of History

How succesfull 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
  • Researchen: 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