Department of History

Incoming international students

The History Department is a welcoming place for international students. Currently (in 2017-2018) some 15% of our master’s students come from abroad. We value an internationally diverse classroom as an enriching experience for local students, international students and academic staff alike.

The international classroomOur department offers a wide range of English-language courses. First and foremost, however, we want to warmly invite incoming international students to take one or more courses in Dutch, which is the default language of instruction in Flanders. Dutch has around 23 million native speakers, mainly in Belgium and the Netherlands. This Dutch-speaking region is commonly known as 'the Low Countries'.  It plays a historically important economic and cultural role in Europe and beyond. Learning Dutch provides you with a rare skill and a considerable advantage on the international job market. And before we forget: it is also a beautiful language with a magnificent literary legacy.

Our regular courses in Dutch can be found here (Bachelor's programme in History) and here (Master's programme in History).

Of course, we realize that mastering Dutch in a few months’ time is no mean feat. For many students it may be unrealistic. For that reason we also offer a study programme in English. Students wishing to pursue this can do so in two ways (or a combination of both):

  • Many of our Dutch-language courses accommodate international students by offering special arrangements for foreign language speakers. These may include: (1) alternative essay-based assessment; (2) alternative English-language textbooks; (3) individual tutoring sessions with teaching staff.
    A list of these courses can be found here. Dutch courses offering foreign-language facilities are marked [nl] there. For more information on the specific facilities offered in each course, we advise you to consult the individual course specifications in the aforementioned course catalogue by simply clicking on the title of the course.
  • The History Department has also been strongly involved in the development of a number of English-language course clusters, specifically aimed at incoming foreign students. These course clusters are organized around different themes. Needless to say, you are free to choose courses in one cluster or across several of them.

    The following course clusters are currently offered:

    Classics

    Cultures and Languages in Context

    Global Studies and World Societies

    Medieval Studies and Auxiliary Sciences

    For more information on these or other courses, please use search the course catalogue.