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The research Master's programme Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies comprises two years (120 EC). Each year is divided into two semesters, running from September until January and from February until June. A semester is divided into two study periods. 

Curriculum

The programme consists of core courses, track-specific (language) courses, electives and a Master's thesis. Check the study schedule (PDF). 

Year 1

In the first year, you take five core courses, two research seminars specific for your chosen track and two research  seminars shared with other specialisations. The fifth core course ‘Research Design’ prepares you for the second year and the thesis. Within the courses ‘Reading and Interpreting Sources I and II’, you can choose two track specific language courses, e.g. Latin, Greek, Old English or Middle Dutch. Besides this, you may choose two electives of the National Research Schools.

Year 2 | Semester 1

In the second year you can choose for an Academic Research study path or a Science in Society path. The first one prepares you for an academic career, the second one for a career in which you employ your knowledge and skills in specific societal contexts, think of cultural heritage or policy-making. The first path will result in an academic research thesis, the latter in an engaged research thesis.  For the Science in Society path an internship will generally be part of the programme. In both paths there is room for creating your own study programme by taking courses or tutorials on offer in other tracks of this programme, in other Master's programmes at Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, a university elsewhere in the Netherlands, or abroad. You may also opt for one of the general electives on offer in the research Master's programme. The aim of this semester is to invest in knowledge and skills specifically for your personal research interests, in preparation of writing your thesis during the second semester.

Year 2 | Semester 2

The programme is concluded with a research Master's thesis or an Engaged Research thesis. The former prepares you when seeking admission to a PhD programme after graduation, the second one for a career outside of academia.  You can also participate in a Thesis Lab, designed to support your research and writing process.

Examples of recent thesis titles

Educational methods

Educational methods differ from one course to another. The most used methods are:

• seminars (30%)
• group work (25%)
• independent study (30%)
• research internship (15%)

Individual work will also be discussed (for example, in the research tutorials).

Tutorials

The option to take a tutorial is provided for the study, individually or in small groups, of specific topics in the field of Ancient, Medieval or Renaissance studies.

Among the topics available for your choice are: Religious History, Saints, Relics and Religious Material Culture, Early Medieval History, Later Middle Ages, Medieval Communication, Medieval Liturgy, The Transmission of Medieval Latin Texts, Editions, Italian Renaissance Literature, Humour and Religion in Early Modern Imaginative Literature, and Religious Conflict in Early Modern Europe.

Examinations

• written exams
• take-home exams
• written assignments
• oral presentations
• written reports (on paper and/or electronically)
• participation in discussions
• preparation of symposia