COURSE CURRICULUM

The two-year Research Master in History at Leiden University, starting in September 2026, offers advanced training in historical research with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, methodological reflection, and original scholarship. The program is designed to prepare students for a PhD or research-focused career, combining intensive coursework with close mentorship and opportunities for professional development through partnerships with academic and heritage institutions. Students benefit from great flexibility in shaping their curriculum, with the option to focus on their own research interests across four thematic tracks: Ancient History, Global and European History, History of Inequality and Power, or Geschiedenis van Nederland in de Wereld. Alternatively, students can design a specialised program within or across these tracks, guided by research design and methodology courses that form the foundation for the thesis.The curriculum is structured across four semesters. In the first semester, students complete three core courses: the Literature Seminar (10 EC), the Research Seminar (10 EC), and the Historical Theory Seminar (10 EC). These courses provide grounding in secondary literature, primary source analysis, and philosophical debates in history, such as narrative, representation, objectivity, and ethics. In semesters two and three, the focus shifts to research skills, external training, and specialisation. Compulsory components include the Skills for Research Seminar (10 EC), courses at national Research Schools (10 EC), and a Tutorial (10 EC), which involves close one-on-one guidance from a Leiden specialist to prepare for the thesis. Students also take an additional Research Seminar (10 EC) and up to 20 EC of optional courses. These electives are often pursued abroad, or through internships or advanced courses at Leiden or other Dutch universities, providing valuable flexibility and opportunities for international academic exposure.The final semester is dedicated to the master’s thesis and oral exam, worth 30 EC. The thesis must be based on original source research and is expected to meet high academic standards, ideally to the point of being suitable for publication in an academic journal. The oral defense, conducted with the thesis supervisor and a second examiner, marks the culmination of the program. Overall, the Research Master in History combines rigorous training in theory and methodology with the freedom to pursue individual research interests, offering excellent preparation for an academic or research-driven career.