Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence (research) (MA)

A top-ranking programme

According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, History at Leiden University is rated 1st in the Netherlands and 18th in the world.

Why study Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence (research) at Leiden University?

You will be part of a research master's programme in which you will focus on processes that are subjects of heated current societal and political debates. You will study them from a comparative and historical perspective (covering the period 1500 until today) and place them in the wider frameworks of the development of trade networks, the emergence of multinationals, economic growth and stagnation, and regional unification.

Learn more about the study programme

Learn from leading academics

Leiden University has a long tradition of studying migration and ethnicity and you will benefit from the expertise of a large team of enthusiastic and very diverse teachers. You will learn to understand and contribute to current debates about migration, urbanisation, globalisation, economic growth and inequality from a historical and comparative perspective. You will also analyse urban and state institutions and their effects on inclusion and exclusion, urban crime and criminal behaviour, and the development of freedoms and un-freedoms (including slavery).

Admission and Application

Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's programme?

Check the entry requirements

Topics you may study include:

• The (gendered) interaction between migration and membership regimes in different parts of the world and the effects of societal categorisation in making distinctions between migrants and non-migrants;
• Urban and state institutions and their effects on inclusion and exclusion;
• Social engineering, criminality and urban subcultures;
• Changing labour relations in capitalist institutions and their relations to economic development;
• Economic history of Europe and the EU, economic policy, the welfare state, and economic co-operation between countries.
• Development of freedoms and unfreedoms;
• Cross-cultural commercial networks, cultural exchanges and comparative socio

Is this programme for you?

If you are interested in dedicating more time to in-depth research, or are thinking of a future in academic or non-academic research, you should consider choosing the Research MA over the MA. A love for reading and discussing intensively with your fellow students, as well as conducting your own research, is essential. If, moreover, you are ambitious and not averse to hard intellectual work, you have what it takes to complete this programme successfully.

In which sector do students find jobs?

• 50 Research
• 25 Government and semi-government organisations
• 12 Consultancy
• 6 Financial institutions
• 6 Culture, sports and recreation
• 1 Other

The graph above is based on alumni data from the Research Master History 2016-2020

Find out more about the career prospects

Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence (research) degree

Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence (research) at Leiden University is an accredited degree programme. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a research master’s degree in History and the title Master of Arts (MA).

Chat with a student

Do you have a question about student life in Leiden, studying at Leiden University, or do you want more information about the History master's programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions!