The application deadline for this selective Master's programme is 1 March 2023 (register in Studielink before 27 February, see step 3). 

Please note: if you are an applicant with an EU/EEA nationality and wish to apply for housing, you must submit your application by 1 March.

If you are interested in a scholarship, you need to apply for both the Master's programme and the scholarship before 15 January. Learn more at:

To gain admission to the Master’s programme in Holocaust and Genocide Studies you must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in:

• history
• European studies with a major in European History  (UvA)
• the humanities, liberal arts or social sciences, with a minimum of 30 ECTS (equivalent to a full-time semester of academic studies) taken in the field of history and/or related to the study of mass violence and genocide, such as genocide studies, conflict studies, ethnic studies, colonial studies, global history, area studies (particularly Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East), memory studies or other courses related to mass violence.

Student profile

As a student in the Master’s programme in Holocaust and Genocide Studies you will be expected to have the following knowledge, insight and skills:

• You are interested in mass violence, genocide, Holocaust, war, conflict, atrocities, global affairs, human rights and transitional justice from a scholarly perspective;
• You have a strong engagement in current politics and contemporary society;
• You are interested in historical, comparative and contemporary research;
• You are interested in multidisciplinary research (i.e. history, sociology, anthropology, political sciences, psychology, law, journalism);
• You have an interest in actively engaging in in-class discussions and debates;
• You are able to read and understand complex historical, sociological and legal texts (in English);
• You are self-motivated, critical and can work independently; and you know how to critically engage with primary sources, secondary literature and theory;
• You wish to learn advanced research and writing skills leading to a research-oriented career or doctoral study.

Selection procedure

Due to a limited number of places, prospective students are subject to a selection process. We will compare your file to that of other applicants. Distinguish yourself with a solid academic background in the field of study, good grades, a convincing letter of motivation and a solid research proposal (see Step 4: programme-specific document).

Hbo-bachelor not eligible

It is not possible to apply to this programme with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (hbo). We do not offer a preparatory programme (schakelprogramma) for this Master's.

English language requirements

New Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Please check carefully whether you already meet the English language requirements or whether you need to arrange to take an official English language test. See the English language requirements on the Graduate School of Humanities website.

All students applying will need to start their application by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, the Dutch online system for students applying for a degree programme at a Dutch university. 

Applicants for Holocaust and Genocide Studies need to register in Studielink for History or Geschiedenis. When asked, select Holocaust and Genocide Studies as the track you intend to follow.

It is extremely important that you register in Studielink at least 48 hours before the application deadline (see above). This is to ensure that you receive your login information (UvAnetID) in time to fill in your UvA application in MyInfo (see next step).

After enrolling in Studielink, you will automatically receive an email with a link to your MyInfo UvA application form. To log in to MyInfo you need your UvAnetID. Please fill out the application form, upload the required documents and submit your MyInfo application form before the application deadline.

Please make sure that in Studielink (step 3) you have selected Holocaust and Genocide Studies as the track you intend to follow, and it is the selected track in your MyInfo application. Because this is a selective Master's programme with an earlier deadline, only applications where the programme is indicated as the first choice will be processed. You can select a non-selective track of the Master's in History as your second choice.

Application fee

All applicants holding a nationality outside the EU/EEA are required to pay an application fee of €100 per Studielink enrolment before submitting your MyInfo application form. You will find payment instructions on your application form.

Application documents

Make sure you are well prepared before you start your application, and you have all necessary documents ready. You are asked to upload the following documents:

• curriculum vitae;
• proof of language proficiency (if required, see language requirements);
• transcript of records, up-to-date and issued by your home institution (if you are already a student at the UvA, a screenshot from SIS is sufficient);
• diploma (if already obtained)* or list of courses yet to complete;
• translation of your diploma and transcript of records (if they are not in English, Dutch, German or French);
• motivation form (PDF);
• programme specific documents (see below).

*Please note: If you have not yet obtained your diploma but are in possession of all other application documents, you may proceed with your application - as long as you obtain your Bachelor's degree before 1 September. If you have a non-Dutch prior education, please bear in mind that you must submit your certified documents before 1 May (non-EEA students) or 1 August (EEA students).

Programme-specific document

As a programme-specific document, write a proposal (in narrative form) for an academic research paper related to the analysis of a theme, theoretical conundrum or case study relevant to genocide, mass violence, the Holocaust, or transitional justice. The research proposal (max. 2,000 words) should include the following  elements:

• title;
• sub title;
• introduction [introducing topic, identifying academic problem statement, formulating main research question, formulating research sub questions, discussing scholarly/theoretical relevance, clarifying methodology, and discussing sources]; and 
• bibliography.

The research proposal will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. evidence of proficiency in critical thinking, analysis and source critique;
2. familiarity with a particular theme, theoretical discourse or case study;
3. clarity of argumentation, structure and style;
4. academic English and referencing and citation practices (Chicago style).

Please collect and prepare all necessary documents before starting your application. You can find detailed information and guidelines on the Graduate School of Humanities website: