Europe 1000-1800 (MA)
Career prospects
Where do our graduates work?
Your master will qualify you for roles in almost every sector of the employment market. Because of the extensive curriculum and specialisations, the career opportunities after completing the History specialisation in Europe 1000 – 1800 are broad. Our graduates have landed jobs in various sectors of the job market, such as education, research institutes, consultancy, cultural institutions, journalism, publishing, communications, policy development, management and government. Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:
• History teacher
• Conservator at Museum Vlaardingen
• Historical researcher at an explosive detection company
• Staff member at an auction house
• Senior assistant at the European Union
• Consultant
• PhD candidate at Leiden University
• History teacher at a secondary school
• Project manager at a text agency
• Digital education officer at a museum
• Policy advisor at a local council
• Editor at a publishing house
• Web journalist at a multimedia publishing house
Your qualifications
The MA in History offers outstanding preparation for students seeking a profession that requires in-depth knowledge of history and strong academic skills, with a focus on analytical and writing skills.
Teaching qualification
If you are interested in a career in teaching, you may be eligible to follow a teacher-training master's at the ICLON Graduate School of Education once you have graduated from the master programme in History. You must speak fluent Dutch and there are other, additional entry requirements.
Adam Langham
Graduated in Europe 1000-1800 (MA History)
"I work as an International Transport Coordinator for Kuehne & Nagel AG in Luxembourg, and am involved in pharmaceutical logistics. I organise the transportation of pharmaceutical goods via sea and airfreight."
An extremely international environment
"I am in constant communication with colleagues, customers and suppliers around the world which makes the job very varied and dynamic. My work environment is extremely international and I have the opportunity to speak multiple languages daily."
Excellent reputation
"The most useful skill I learned in my master's at Leiden University is the ability to sift through large quantities of information, and to deduct what is relevant and should be prioritized. I chose for Leiden University as it has an excellent reputation and I have a strong historical interest in the Middle Ages."
In which sector do students find jobs?
- 18 % Education
- 9 % Government and semi-government organisations
- 9 % Research
- 9 % Wholesale and retail
- 9 % IT
- 9 % Communication and marketing
- 9 % Consultancy
- 9 % Business services
- 9 % Culture, sports and recreation
- 9 % Information management
- 1 % Other
These graphs are based on alumni data from the MA Europe 1000-1800 / Medieval and Early Modern European History 2016-2020.
Career preparations
Find out how this programme prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
The Master's programme in Europe 1000 – 1800 at Leiden University equips you with a range of transferable skills and knowledge that will help you stand out in your future career. Your specialised knowledge is complemented by a broad and contextual understanding as well as critical-thinking skills that can be applied to complex conceptual problems. Other skills you may encounter in the various History courses are:
- Problem-solving skills
- Written and oral communication
- Creative thinking
- Argumentation
- Project management
You have the opportunity to do an internship at an organisation in the Netherlands or abroad. Internships are a great way to gain first-hand experience in your area of interest and deepen your expertise. Organisations that our students have interned at include:
- Huygens Institute for the History of the Netherlands
- KITLV (Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies)
- Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael
- Netherlands Institute for Military History
Please note that you will need to find your own internship and have to follow an internship procedure for approval. Pursuing an internship may have consequences for the date of your graduation.
Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at Humanities Career Service provide all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV.
The Humanities Career Service offers you various (online) workshops, webinars and info sessions. Check our overview of career activities.
The Leiden University Career Zone is an online career portal that helps you to prepare for the job market. Here you can find information, tools and tips to help you gain more personal insight, learn about the job market, develop your application skills, plan your academic and professional career, find job vacancies and discover what the Career Service can do for you.
Join the Mentor Network to contact alumni with experience on the labour market and ask them for advice. More than 1200 alumni are happy to help you!
Jelle on finding an internship via Leiden University's Mentor Network
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