Have you ever thought about what connects the past with the present? And would you like to learn more about the background to various historic events? If so, this is your programme!
As a student in the international track of the Bachelor's degree programme in History, you search for explanations of events that took place in the past and are still relevant today. You learn about the connections between various developments, and you're encouraged to dig deeper and ask critical questions.
The programme takes three years. In the first year, you are given an overview of history from Antiquity to the present day, and you study Dutch history. In the second year, you examine history on the basis of various themes, such as economic and social history, political culture and cultural history. The third year, which includes a course unit on the theory of history, is used to deepen your knowledge. Your Bachelor's programme is rounded off with a thesis. As a history student, you are free to compile part of the programme yourself.
You can study for a Bachelor's degree in History on a full-time or a part-time basis, but there is no specific part-time programme. All classes in the international track of the History programme are in English.
Want to know more? Click for the short information video of the History programme.
Sign up now for the Open Day on Friday 7 November!
In the first year, chronological course units cover the most important events and developments from Antiquity down to the present day. You will also work on your academic research and writing skills and learn about historical sources and the theories behind the study of history. In short, the first year is very diverse and gives you a solid basis for the rest of the programme.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Ancient History (5 EC) | ||||
| Globalisation: Economic & Social History (5 EC) | ||||
| Historical Research I: Introduction (5 EC) | ||||
| Contemporary History (5 EC) | ||||
| Historical Research II: Skills (5 EC) | ||||
| Medieval History (5 EC) | ||||
| Dutch History (5 EC) | ||||
| Early Modern History (5 EC) | ||||
| Historical Research III: Historical Debate (5 EC) | ||||
| Historical Research IV: Sources (5 EC) | ||||
| Modern History (5 EC) | ||||
| Regions I: Introduction (5 EC) | ||||
After studying history in a chronological order in the first year, the second year teaches you to approach history from a thematic perspective. You will learn about three 'types' of history, each with its own emphasis and theory: cultural history, history of political culture, and economic and social history.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Sources and Methods (5 EC) | ||||
| Theme Political History (10 EC) Students attend lectures on key theories and concepts in Political History. You can also choose from working lecture groups with different topics. Examples of this year's topics are: 'Building politics: politics and architecture in twentieth-century Europe', 'Ancient Athenian Democracy and its Legacy' and 'A Political History of the French Revolution'. | ||||
| Theme Cultural History (10 EC) Students attend lectures on key theories and concepts in cultural history. You can also choose from working lecture groups with different topics. Examples of this year's topics are: '(Historical) Virtual Communities', 'Sex in early modern Europe' and 'Experiencing and representing the body in Greek and Roman'. | ||||
| Theory 1: Perspectives on History (5 EC) | ||||
| Regions II: Historiography (5 EC) | ||||
| Theme Economic and Social History (10 EC) Students attend lectures on key theories and concepts in Economic and Social History. You can also choose from working lecture groups with different topics. Examples of this year's topics are: 'The Great Divergence: Why Europe Grew Rich And India Did Not', 'Population and development in historical comparative perspective' and 'Social History of 20th Century Europe: a Comparative Perspective'. | ||||
| Research Seminar (10 EC) The students take one research seminar of their choice within the three themes: cultural history, political history and economic & social history | ||||
| Theory II: History of World History (5 EC) | ||||
In the third year you will address one of these themes in more detail. The core module forms the heart of this third year. A core module is a seminar in which you acquire content-related information and research skills by studying literature and source material. This results in an independent research project with a presentation and a long paper. Your Bachelor's concludes with a thesis and possibly a placement.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Minor (30 EC) | ||||
| Theorie III: Theory of History in Practice (5 EC) | ||||
| BA Thesis History (10 EC) | ||||
| Regions III: Case Studies (10 EC) | ||||
| Workshop Public History (5 EC) | ||||
Please note that above is the programme for the current academic year (2025-2026). From 2026-2027, the courses of this programme will change. More will be announced in autumn 2025.
| Programme options |
|---|
| Minors (minor) The fifth semester of your studies is dedicated to your Minor: a coherent set of future-oriented course units. It prepares you for a follow-on Master's degree program or for entering the labour market. You can opt for a Career Minor, a Minor abroad, a University Minor or a Faculty Minor. |
| University of Groningen Honours College (honours program) The Honours College will give talented, motivated students the chance to be challenged even more by following Honours programmes and taking part in numerous other activities. The Honours College comprises a broadening part and a deepening part and has a study load of 30 ECTS credit points besides the 180 ECTS credit points from your regular Bachelor programme. |
Options for study abroad include amongst others: Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the UK, Russia, Southern Europe, USA, several countries in Asia and South Africa.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Taaleis Engels: minimum TOEFL eis iBT 90 (met een minimum van 21 voor alle onderdelen), of IELTS 6.5 (met een minimum van 6 voor alle onderdelen) of Cambridge C1 Advanced of C2 Proficiency met een minimum score van 180. Klik op de link voor meer informatie: https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/bachelor/aanmelding-en-inschrijving/language-requirements-ba
The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Attendance is optional. The advice is not binding.
The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen programme based on the available bachelor programme information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the programme in June.
If you have any further questions about matching, check out: www.rug.nl/matching
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen programme based on the available bachelor programme information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the programme in June.
If you have any further questions about matching, check out: www.rug.nl/matching
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
A Dutch VWO diploma, a German Abitur, an International Baccalaureate diploma, a European Baccalaureate or another diploma that is sufficient for acceptance to a Dutch university. For other VWO-equivalent qualifications, see: https://www.rug.nl/vwo-equivalent-qualifications. Students with a Dutch 'hbo-propedeuse' diploma also need to meet the language requirements mentioned below. |
| other admission requirements |
Additional requirements English: Minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items) or Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
If you want to continue with a Master's degree programme after your graduation, as most students do, you will have a wide range of programmes to choose from. With a Bachelor's degree in History, you have access to the following Master's tracks at the University of Groningen:
After completing your degree in History, you will be able to think critically, with a focus on problems. You will also be able to process large amounts of information and present the results clearly. Historians often find work in journalism and in museums, cultural institutions or publishing houses. Many of them go into politics, the government or business.
Teaching and research are closely interwoven at university. All professors and most of the lecturers who teach your course units are also conducting research in their own subject fields. This means that your classes will be partly based on the Faculty’s current research. Learn more about the research within the department of History.
About
Faaizah
My name is Faaizah Halil and
I am currently in my third year of the History Bachelor’s
programme. I was born and raised in Singapore, and my family has
roots in Indonesia and Pakistan which has influenced my historical
context significantly. Apart from my studies, I am part of the
Groningen Feminist Network which is a student-led, queer,
intersectional association in the city that organizes events for
the community. When I am not writing assignments, I hang out with
my friends, cook, read and write. I have recently been getting into
replicating dishes from back home, with a little more success each
time.
Pupils in pre-university education who are keen to find out what university is all about can follow a web class in History. A web class is an online course offered by the University of Groningen for pupils in the 5th and 6th years of pre-university education. The course involves ten study hours, which serve as an introduction to History. You read texts, do assignments and hold discussions with other prospective students and a lecturer.
If you are interested, sign up for the web class.
