The programme offers a combination of history courses and research skills from the fields of global history and international relations. A highly motivated staff, strongly committed to teaching excellence and the learning experience of their students, teaches it.
Great variety of themes
In the first year, you will gain an overview of the history of Europe and the world from antiquity to the present. Particular attention is given to the increasing globalization of the economy, politics, and society.
In the second and third years, you will deepen your knowledge of the historical forces that have shaped the modern world. You will choose electives that cover a specific region of the world: Global Southeast Asia, Latin America in Modern History, Sub-Saharan Africa 1800-present, The Maghreb in Global History, The Middle East in Contemporary History, or China in Modern History. In addition, you will learn about different approaches from the fields of international relations and global history and are trained in academic skills. You will also take courses in Environmental History and Theory of History. In Research Seminars you will learn how to do historical research and present their research results. In Year 3, you can study a semester abroad, take an internship or choose a minor.
Small scale in Amsterdam
The small scale of the programme offers close interaction between students and staff, several of whom have won University Teaching Awards for outstanding performance and dedication to undergraduate education at VU Amsterdam.
The staff of History and International Studies cooperates with different public and private organisations as well as with the Rijksmuseum, Tropenmuseum, the Anne Frank Huis and many other international, research and heritage institutions. The university is located in Amsterdam, a city with international and historical allure.
The start date of this programme is September 1st.