International Bachelor History
Rotterdam, Netherlands
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,530 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 1 April for students from outside the EEA
** for EEA students | €10,400/year for non-EEA students
Introduction
Why history? You have a passion for history. The past fascinates you. You are also convinced that historical insight helps to understand current social developments in the Netherlands and in the world. Why at Erasmus University? Because Rotterdam is unique in is multifaceted approach to history from different academic disciplines. We focus on economic, social, political and cultural perspectives.
- Field of study: History; Global Processes; Contemporary Developments in Historical Perspective; Culture; Economics; Social Science
- Keywords: History and Multidisciplinary; International Relations; Global History; Business History; Museums; Popular Culture; History Education. Small Scale Programme.
- Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Duration: 3 years = 36 months full-time
- Course load: 180 ECTS credits = 60 ECTS credits per year, 1 ECTS = 28 hours
- Language of instruction: Fully taught in English
- Ranking Erasmus University Rotterdam Times Higher Education ranking #72 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) #4 in the Netherlands, #92 worldwide
How do games like Call of Duty perpetuate myths about the war, but also communicate historical content? Why did so many European countries become rich while African countries have remained poor? What is the influence of movies such as Schindler’s List and Inglorious Bastards on our historical thinking? And how is diversity within football teams partly due to the colonial past of the country? Do these questions speak to you? Then the bachelor History at the Erasmus University is the study programme for you.
History is cramming dates? Not in Rotterdam!
History in Rotterdam is unique in its multifaced approach. You primarily look at modern History, from 1500 onwards with a focus on the last 200 years, from different perspectives. You focus on political, economic, societal, and cultural developments from a global perspective and learn to connect the past with the present. You look at history from a long-term perspective by using themes such as migration, social inequality, popular uses of history (e.g. in video games or during carnival) trends in the fashion industry and the growth of main ports.
After graduation
Our MA programmes Global History and International Relations, Applied History and Globalisation and Societal Transformations are three of the possibilities upon completing the BA. Or you enter the labour market directly with well-developed analytical skills, experience in writing and research.
More reasons to choose History at EUR
- Thanks to the small groups and the mentor system, you receive personal help with your studies;
- you will combine theory and practice by doing an internship or going on an exchange;
- you will share the classroom with students from all over the world;
- the programme is oriented towards the labour market and has close ties with the corporate world;
- the programme receives a high score in the annual National Student Survey;
- the EUR offers a number of high-quality master’s programmes that complement the bachelor, including the Erasmus Mundus Programme GLOCAL.
Destination Information
- The Netherlands: 17 million inhabitants, 200 different nationalities
- Rotterdam: 650,000 inhabitants, 175 different nationalities, 80% speak English
- Erasmus University Rotterdam: 39,150 students, 114 different nationalities
University Life
Activities: Students can join a number of activities throughout the year such as social drinks, study trips, music sessions, lectures and language courses organized by different (student) associations at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Study counselling: In the first year of your programme you will be part of a mentor group guided by second or third-year students, thus ensuring a smooth start. You may consult your student advisor if you have any questions about the study programme, your own study planning or personal circumstances relevant to your studies.
Chat with a student
Is there anything you would like to know about student life or our wonderful city? In that case, you might be curious about the experiences of our students and alumni. Simply select the person of your choice and ask them a question. Just take a look at our 'Chat with a student' page.
Ideal Students
Do you think that studying history in Rotterdam may be right for you? If so, be sure to come along to one of our Open Days or get in touch with one of our students. A list of several important characteristics that future students should have is shown below:
- you desire to learn as much as possible about the past, but you don’t want to be limited to listening to stories;
- you want to improve your writing skills to convey sharp and professional messages and are willing to present for small groups;
- you are up to date with the latest scientific information and views and your outlook goes beyond the Netherlands. The history of Europe and the world is our point of reference and the literature is in English;
- you participate in workshops and can contribute to the debates, active participation requires good preparation and reading the literature.
Rankings
Times Higher Education ranking #72 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) #4 in the Netherlands, #92 worldwide
Career Opportunities
People are looking for information to understand social changes: they search for information based on past events but are also looking for new sources to explain themselves and their identity. Specialists who can meaningfully link the past, present and future will become invaluable. Governments, industries and the cultural sector need historians who can identify these links. As a History graduate, you are one of those specialists.
Gallery
Curriculum
Your History programme at Erasmus University Rotterdam is centered around themes. Focusing on themes lets you keep an eye on the bigger picture. Which teaches you to establish links between historical and contemporary developments and learn not just to understand the past but also the issues facing society today.
Examples of these themes are:
- inequality in the world;
- trends in the fashion industry;
- Citizenship and migration;
- the history of international relations.
This is the ideal programme for you if your interest goes beyond history alone, if you are curious, and want to learn how to connect yesterday with today.