COURSE CURRICULUM

The Global Order in Historical Perspective specialisation within the Master’s in International Relations at Leiden University explores how power relations are structured across global, regional, and national contexts, examining everything from high-level governance to diplomatic culture and transnational alliances. The program provides students with a multidisciplinary understanding of international relations grounded in historical and contemporary perspectives, enabling them to critically analyse patterns of power, diplomacy, and global cooperation.The curriculum consists of a core specialisation course, two general courses, a thesis preparatory course, two electives, and a final Master’s thesis. The thesis preparatory course equips students with the conceptual, methodological, and theoretical foundations necessary for advanced research. It also includes seminars addressing specific issues in international studies, giving students the guidance needed to develop their thesis topic. Students have considerable freedom to define their research questions and pursue topics that align with their interests, supported by experienced thesis supervisors across various fields of expertise.In addition to academic training, students have the opportunity to complete internships with organisations in the Netherlands or abroad, which are highly valued in international and governmental sectors. Past internship placements include the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies worldwide, media outlets such as EenVandaag, the Netherlands Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the Netherlands Institute for International Relations Clingendael, the International Centre for Counterterrorism, and the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies.By combining rigorous coursework, research training, and practical experience, the Global Order in Historical Perspective specialisation prepares students for careers in academia, international organisations, policy advisory roles, and other positions where a deep understanding of the historical and contemporary dynamics of global power is essential. Graduates gain both analytical expertise and practical insight into the structures and processes that shape global order, equipping them to address complex challenges in international affairs.