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Humanities Research - Global History, Master Degree, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

the Netherlands

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The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Master Degree	Full-time	1 year	September	EUR 2694 per year	EUR 17480 per year

About Humanities Research - Global History, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Keen to develop in-depth knowledge of the theories, methods and techniques of your research field, connecting them with other disciplines? Curious to find out how your research relates to societal issues? Make the connections that lead to inspiring humanities research.

The Humanities (Research) Master is a unique programme that provides extensive training in research design, in an inspiring and sustainable interdisciplinary research environment. The programme offers excellent preparation for an internationally oriented academic career or for other research-related positions.

In the track Global History, you will learn to investigate the dynamics and long-term developments of the global flows of people, goods, and ideas. You will study the role of power, religion and of human attitudes to nature in global connections.

You will learn finding and interpreting compelling source material, critical reflection, and writing well-structured, engaging reports. You will develop a critical attitude and learn to arrive at original lines of questioning based on profound knowledge of your research subject.

You will develop your own, unique, expert knowledge, enabling you to start a successful research career. You are encouraged to make use of the staff’s intensive network with heritage and research institutions at VU Amsterdam (Stevin Center, Environmental Humanities Center Amsterdam and the HDC Centre for Religious History) and outside VU Amsterdam (International Institute for Social History, Huygens Institute for Dutch and Global history), governmental organisations and NGO’s and business partners. Global History offers a dynamic international context where international and Dutch students and scholars exchange views, experiences and historical research questions. Taking part in exchange programmes with universities abroad for up to three months are encouraged, with financial support from the Graduate School of Humanities.

Global History is one of the tracks of the (Research) Master Humanities’ programme.

Summer School

Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.

Learn more about Humanities Research - Global History, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Entry requirements

1. Academic requirements

Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years).

2. Programme specific requirements

The Humanities (Research) Master programme is aimed at talented students who are exceptionally motivated to be trained in academic methods in their specific field of humanities. The two-year (Research) Master's is a good option for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD after their MA, but also more in general for students who cherish critical attitude, arrive at original lines of questioning based on a profound knowledge of their research subject, and wish to develop their research skills.

To be eligible for the track Global History, the student should have a Bachelor’s degree in History, European studies, Anthropology, Political sciences, Cultural studies, or a related academic degree.

In addition, student must have:

knowledge: a solid background with a minimum of 30 EC in history;
understanding: an understanding of methodologies in the field of history;
skills: an ability to find and use source material; the capacity to discuss developments in historiography in a wider societal context, and to use theoretical writings

Admission is also based on additional strict selection criteria:

proof of excellent study results: outstanding grade for your bachelor’s thesis or similar final work (7.5 or higher), and an average of no less than 7.5 for a relevant selection of your bachelor’s programme (to be decided by the Admission Board).
clear motivation for doing academic research: showing evidence of enthusiasm, commitment, intellectual curiosity, genuine interest, perseverance, and capacity for sustained study.

The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.

3. English-language proficiency requirements

You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Masters Webinar

Each year, we organise an online session for aspiring Master's students that covers everything you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Master's webinar took place on Tuesday, October 15, at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recordings all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Get the latest insights on scholarship opportunities;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.

Bachelors Webinar

Each year we organise an online session for aspiring Bachelor's students that covers all you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Bachelor's webinar took place on Thursday 24 October at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recorder version all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Ask all your questions about the housing market in Amsterdam;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.