A pre-master helps you to bridge the knowledge and workload gap between your prior education and the university.  At Erasmus you will conduct your own research and we expect you to have a certain level of analytical and critical thinking. If you’ve obtained an academic bachelor diploma in a completely different field than history, a pre-master is necessary as well.
The pre-master offers admission to the master specialisations Global History and International Relations or Applied History.
Bridging the knowledge gap
During the pre-master, you will follow selected courses of the bachelor History. You will become acquainted with cultural, social, and economic history and with the history of international relations. You will improve both your academic skills and historical knowledge in such a way that you are ready to start Global History and International Relations or Applied History.
The pre-master teaches you to think in an academic way. This means that you will critically study historical and contemporary issues. You will also learn to write essays and papers and you will learn the practice of historical research. By the end of the pre-master you are ready to apply your academic knowledge and skills in your bachelor thesis.
Pre-master Specialisations
Our pre-master offers two different specialisations: Global History and International Relations and Applied History.
Global History and International Relations
During this pre-master, you will focus on cutting-edge questions related to historical processes of globalisation, international relations and cultural encounters. This specialisation approaches modern history from multiple angles, examining social, economic, political and cultural themes in the past – and connecting them with contemporary developments.
Applied History
In the pre-master Applied History, you will learn how long-term developments have influence on contemporary societies. This pre-master will prepare you for a more practical master, focused on the labour market and learning practical skills.
5 reasons to choose the pre-master History at EUR:
- You will study with students from all over the world; this provides a stimulating peer-learning and international environment;
- learn how to do historical research on contemporary issues, approach history from multiple angles and study phenomena in an international context;
- throughout the whole year, you will be benefit from engaged classes and you will be guided by a dedicated team of experienced lecturers;
- after finishing your pre-master, you will be automatically enrolled in the master specialisation of your choice;
- studying in Rotterdam means studying in a vibrant city with a rich history and a dynamic present. And of course, many museums, theatres, festivals; lots of opportunities to build a professional network.