Career prospects
After successful completion of the programme, you are fully qualified to apply for PhD positions. Additionally, you will find that your excellent research skills are also in demand with non-academic public and private organisations. We encourage our students to explore these job opportunities outside academia.
Academic careers
Our students have succesfully applied for PhD positions at the following universities and research institutes:
| | | | | (Germany) | | | | .
Alumni involved in adoption research
Graduates of the History programme, Yannick Balk and Juul Dreesen, were involved in the realisation of the report on possible abuses in intercountry / foreign adoptions in the past, and the role of the Dutch government and adoption mediators.
Towards the job market
Our alumni are working in diverse jobs in which an expertise in the field of history plays a role. They work as:
- Assistant to the Secretary General of the in Bern
- Foreign News Journalist at press agency
- Researcher for the international executive recruiting firm
- Policy Advisor of the (RMO)
Read our alumni stories
- Eva Zeilstra is a Privacy, Security & data Consultant at Cranium NL.
- Iris Clever is a Phd Candidate at UCLA.
- Hans Rodenburg is a researcher at the Centre for Parliamentary History at the Radboud University.
Alumni on LinkedIn
Postdoctoral Researcher at Utrecht University
Rijkstrainee at Ministerie van Economische Zaken & Klimaat en Ministerie van Landbouw
Career development
Developing skills
Throughout your Master鈥檚 you will participate in a series of seminars in which students and academic staff exchange their knowledge and skills that are useful for future career paths. In this way, you can also develop your network.
Network building
As a student of this research Master鈥檚 programme, you are part of the international learning and research community in our department. As staff members we see it as part of our work to help our students develop an international network that puts them in a favourable position, for instance on the international market for PhD positions. A monthly newsletter informs you of career opportunities such as PhD positions and internships.
Extra training
Students can obtain additional training in academic skills from the Graduate School, including extra training in written English for those who need it.
Career events
During the mid-term meeting, which takes place in the second semester, students can meet alumni who have successfully applied for PhD positions and are employed in academia as well as alumni who have transitioned to non-academic professions in governmental organisations, research institutes, journalism or teaching. A workshop on professional presentation and writing a CV, organised in cooperation with career services, is part of this meeting. This event will help you set up a professional network and teach you skills that are not part of the standard curriculum.
Career Services
Career Services offers events, tests, coaching and training in and outside your Master's programme, related to professional self-analysis, career orientation and job application skills. You can find more information about career services on or .
Other career events
- is a monthly career orientation meeting for students and alumni of the Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University.
- The Faculty of Humanities organises a with interesting partners who will illustrate the diversity in career opportunities for humanities graduates.
- Once a year Utrecht University organises a . This Careers Day offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the careers fair.