Thesis and papers
When writing a thesis or paper you must make good use of the insights you have gained during your lectures and studies so far. You should also refer to relevant literature and carry out your own research on the topic.
One of the most important things you will learn during an academic study programme is how to write an interesting piece of work that meets the criteria of scientific quality, whilst also being accesible to the broader public.
Refer to our Study skills pages for more information on academic writing skills.
Faculty regulations
The criteria of the thesis are outlined in the faculty-wide regulation shown on the right side of this page. For both papers as well as thesis the rules on plagiarism and academic integrity apply.
Request for appointing thesis supervisor
The Board of Examiners is responsible for appointing a supervisor for the master’s thesis and the bachelor’s thesis
Every study programme has its own procedure for appointing supervisors. Please consult the course description of the master’s thesis or bachelor’s thesis in the e-prospectus.
Need help with your writing assignment? Come to the Writing Lab!
Want to discuss your academic writing assignment (final paper, paper or other) with a trained peer tutor? Book a free appointment at the Writing Lab.
Workshops and thesis events
The Writing Lab organises interactive, hands-on (and free!) workshops and thesis events every semester to help you improve your academic writing skills and/or make writing your thesis a success!
The 45-minute individual coaching session allows you to focus on exactly what you need or have questions about. Everything you discuss with your coach remains between you and the conversation can take place face-to-face or online. If you want, you can also send your writing coach a piece of text in advance, which you will then discuss together during the appointment.
Every semester, the Writing lab offers four interactive workshops:
- Basic skills in academic writing:
Goal paper, planning, structure, formulating research questions - Creating a clear structure:
Clarity, coherence, paragraphs, main- and subquestions, text plan - Develop an academic style:
Define style, techniques, formulation, sentence structure - Keep on writing: becoming a disciplined writer:
Common challenges, planning, perfectionism, concentration issues
- Thesis kick-off:
Get a kickstart with your thesis. In two workshops, you will learn all about designing and planning your thesis. - Thesis group:
Get to know other thesis writers in 4 weekly meetings, learn to plan better and exchange tips and experiences to stay productive. - Thesis week:
For a week, you will write on your thesis every day from 09:00-17:00 under the guidance of the Writing Lab.
Thesis Database
Leiden University Repository
Theses written since July 2011 can be found in the Leiden University Repository.
MA theses
Research MA theses
Collection of theses written between 1962 and 2009
These theses are present in the University Library, open stock ('open magazijn').
Ancient History
Medieval History
Dutch History
Economic History
Social History
General History
Medieval and Early Modern European History
History of Migrants and Cities in a Changing World
History of European Expansion and Globalisation
History of Political Culture and National Identity
Thesis prizes
The Fruin Prize
At the start of every Academic Year the best Master Thesis of the preceding year will be awarded the ''Fruin Prize'', named after the Dutch historian Robert Fruin. The prize includes a certificate and 250 euro. The winner is chosen by a jury, consisting of members of the Institute of History.
2023
Florian Herrendorf
Colonial mismanagement? The organisation and operation of the government of the WIC colony of Angola, 1641-1648
Laudatio
2022
Johan Visser
De geschiedenis van een bloedbad. Zutphen en 1572
Laudatio
2021
Nynke Anna van der Mark
Steam and Steel in Suriname. A Socio-Economic Analysis of the Lawa Railway, 1903-1987
Laudatio
Honourable mentions
Patrick van der Geest ‘The Banker’s Banker, Hope & Co and the Credit Crisis of 1772-1773’
Friso van Nimwegen ‘Prinsgezinder dan de Prins. Burgerlijk Orangisme en Oranjesociëteiten in de politiek, 1787-1788’
2020
Frederique Visser
“The Watch on the Danube’’: a Bridge between Stability and Conflict - Territorial Identification in Linz, 1908-1928
Report
2019
Patricia Kret
Functions of amulets: the power of objects in the ancient world
Laudatio
2018
Jip Barreveld
Two Worlds? State Space and Marginal Peoples in Late Antique North Africa.
Laudatio
2017
Maurits den Hollander
Comparative Cultures of Accountability. The Scottish Exchequer and the Audit Chamber of Holland between 1477 and 1515
Laudatio
2016
Arne Muis
Deutschlands Europaïsche Sendung (Germany's European Mission)
Laudatio
2015
Kaspar Pucek
Institutions in Transition. The Russian Aluminium Industry after Communism
Laudatio
2014
Matilda Greig
Narrating war and nationality: Identity as presented in the memoirs of Grande Armee veterans of the 1807-1814 Peninsular War
Laudatio
2013
Peter van den Hooff
Antonio Guaineri’s, De matricibus, sive De propriis mulierum aegritudinibus
Laudatio
2012
Stefan Penders
Imperial waters. Roman river god art in context
Laudatio
2011
Rosa den Heijer
Trotz alledem: over-leven en geloven in de DDR
Laudatio
2010
Jeroen Bouterse
Years of Silence. Holy men and knowledge in late Antiquity.
Laudatio
2009
Esther Zwinkels
Het Overakker-complot. Verzetsgroepen in confrontatie met de Japanse bezetter op Sumatra tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog.
2008
Paul Gill
Between Rabbis and pagans. Proposing a solution for the discrepancy in the evidence for the development of the Jewish community in Syria Palaestina A.D. 150-350.
2007
Kim Beerden
"Omen-mindedness" - Greek divination in context
2006
Anna Woltz
'There are things worse than death!'
Zwart-blanke seksuele relaties in het Zuiden van de Verenigde Staten tot 1940
2005
Arie van Steensel
Dienaars van de stad
Het ambtelijke personeel van de laatmiddeleeuwse steden Haarlem en Leiden, 1428-1572
2004
Damian Pargas
Weathering Different Storms. Een vergelijkende analyse van slavengezinnen in Fairfax County, Virginia en Georgetown District, South Carolina gedurende de antebellum periode
2003
Brian Heffernan
The churches and the Anglo-Irish War. An appraisal of the role of the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland in the Anglo-Isrish War, 1919-1921
2002
Bartel Stompedissel
Grillig en ambitieus. Een onderzoek naar drie Nederlandse ontwikkelingsprojecten in Indonesië (1968-1983).
2001
Colette Planken
Rome aan tafel. Over de ideologische waarde van het Romeinse diner
2000
Antoine Buyse
De laatste harmonie. Johannes Kepler en de wetenschapsidealen van de zeventiende eeuw
1999
Jet Burgert
Zorgzaam binnen eigen kring. Haagse armenbestuurders, 1854-1912
1998
Matthijs Lok
Tussen God en Machiavelli: Spaansgezinde politieke theorie in de Nederlandse Opstand 1580-1620
1997
Stephan Kras
Houphouët-Boigny en Senghor in conflict met het Franse bestuur 1948-1951
1996
Soedish Verhoeven
Civilisatie en Menselijke Natuur. De sociologie en civilisatietheorie van Norbert Elias
1995
Karin Mössenlechner
Op het breukvlak van wetenschap en politiek: Donald F. Hornig in het Witte Huis, 1963-1968
1994
Tabitta van Nouhuys
Iets nieuws boven de maan. De Nederlandse kometentraktaten 1577-1620 en de val van het aristotelisch wereldbeeld
1993
R.J.H.A. de Vreede
De landbouw in een Zuidhollandse droogmakerij tijdens de agrarische depressie (1878-1895). De negotiatie `Land is een zekere bezitting' en de landbouw in Bleiswijk en Bergschenhoek in de tweede helft van de 19de eeuw
1992
Sebastiaan Reyn
Lyndon Johnson's policy of restraint toward De Gaulle. The case of the MLF
1991
Rienk Eggink
A.A. Zjdanov. Een politieke biografie, 1896-1948
1990
M.Th.R.M. Dolmans
De medische verzorging in het Romeinse leger van de eerste tot het begin van derde eeuw n.Chr.
1989
Eric van Luijk
Van Opiumregie tot heroïne verstrekking. Het drugbeleid in Nederlands-Indië en Nederland, 1889-1989
Volkskrant-IISG History Thesis Prize
Volkskrant-IISG Scriptieprijs voor Geschiedenis
Every year MA theses that deal with a national or international historical subject are eligible for this prize. Students from other degree programmes are also invited to compete for the prize. The student with the best thesis receives a monetary prize and a feature in the Volkskrant newspaper. During the last few years many other media have shown their interest in running a feature on the winner.
Further information on the Volkskrant-IISG History Thesis Prize.
Elsevier/Johan de Witt-Thesis Prize
Elsevier/Johan de Witt-scriptieprijs
The Elsevier/Johan de Witt-thesis prize is awarded by the History Society of Friends of De Witt in collaboration with the weekly magazine Elsevier. This prize is awarded annually to the student with the best History thesis on the Dutch Republic in the period of 1625-1688. Students of both bachelor’s and master’s theses (in Dutch or English) are eligible for this prize. The prize for the best thesis consists of a sum of money and a selection of books. Part of the successful thesis will also be published in the weekly magazine Elsevier and on the websites of Elsevier and the Society of Friends of De Witt.
Further information on the Elsevier/Johan de Witt-Thesis Prize.
Holland Historical Magazine Thesis Prize
Holland Historisch Tijdschrift Scriptieprijs
Annual prize for the best history thesis on the history of North or South Holland, open to all students who have written a History bachelor’s or master’s thesis. Two prizes are awarded: one for the best bachelor’s thesis and the other for the best master’s thesis. The winners receive a sum of money and the chance to have their work published as an article in Holland Historisch Tijdschrift.
Further information on Holland Historical Magazine Thesis Prize.
Johanna W.A. Naber Prize
Johanna W.A. Naberprijs
Annual prize for the best graduation thesis (master’s level or PhD thesis), written at a Dutch or Flemish college or university, on the subject of women's/gender history. This prize is awarded by Atria, knowledge institute of emancipation- and women's history, and by the Society of Gender History (Vereniging voor Gendergeschiedenis, VVG). The winner receives a monetary prize.
Further information on the Johanna W.A. Naber Prize.
Trade Union Thesis Prize
Scriptieprijs van de vakbeweging
This annual prize is an initiative by De Burcht, the Scientific Bureau of Trade Unions and is designated for master’s students (who have recently or almost graduated) at a Dutch college or university, who have written a thesis about a topic dealing with the territory or role of the trade union. There are two different prizes: one for a student or graduate from a college and one for a student or graduate from a university. Each winner receives a monetary prize; a publication of the thesis on the website of De Burcht; support in writing an article for the magazine Zeggenschap; and a chance to spend a day with the FNV Trade Union.
Further information on the Trade Union Thesis Prize.
The Erik Hazelhoff Young Talent Prize
De Erik Hazelhoff Jong Talentprijs
A biennial literary prize awarded to the student with the best master’s thesis written in Dutch or English at a Dutch or Flemish university. The Erik Hazelhoff Young Talent Prize aims to encourage young and talented (academic) writers to aspire to a career in writing alongside their 'normal' career. The winner of this prize receives an author's contract (which entails a publication of the thesis in revised form) with the publishers Unieboek | Het Spectrum and a monetary prize.
Further information on the Erik Hazelhoff Young Talent Prize.
ICOM thesis prize
ICOM scriptieprijs
Every three years the ICOM Thesis Prize is awarded by ICOM Nederland to a student who has carried out an innovative study on the international developments in the museum world. It concerns research carried out within the framework of a successfully completed bachelor’s or master’s degree at a Dutch college or university. The winner receives a monetary prize as well as an invitation to the ICOM General Conference, held every three years, each time at a different location somewhere around the world.
Further information on the ICOM thesis prize.
Roggeveen Thesis Prize
Roggeveenprijs
Every three years the Roggeveen Thesis Prize is awarded by the Royal Zeeland Association of Sciences for the best thesis in the field of the Humanities of Zeeland, namely in its cultural, architectural and art history and philosophy. Students who have written their thesis at a Dutch university between 1 August 2013 and 10 September 2016 and whose thesis has been approved (minimal grade 7 or equivalent) are eligible for this prize. The winner receives a sum of money and a publication of the summary of thesis in the Yearbook of the Royal Zeeland Association of Sciences.
Further information on the Roggeveen Thesis Prize.
Virtus Thesis Award for Nobility Studies
Virtus scriptieprijs voor adelsgeschiedenis
Every two years, the Society for Nobility Studies presents the Virtus Thesis Award for Nobility Studies for the best (Research) Master’s thesis that is substantially devoted to (an aspect of) nobility studies. Eligible are (research) master’s theses in completion of an academic programme in history or another relevant discipline at a Dutch or Belgian university. The thesis must be written in Dutch, English, French or German and officially completed between 1 September 2016 and 1 September 2018.
In addition to the award, the winning student receives the sum of €500,- and is given the opportunity to rework the thesis into an article that will be published in Virtus, Journal of Nobility Studies, pending the judgement of the editors and two external referees.
Further information on Virtus Thesis Award for Nobility Studies 2018.
Scriptieprijs Brabantse Geschiedenis (Dutch)
De Scriptieprijs Brabantse Geschiedenis is een initiatief van Erfgoed Brabant, de Historische Vereniging Brabant en Zuidelijk Historisch Contact en heeft als doelstelling de wetenschappelijke beoefening van de Brabantse geschiedenis aan de Nederlandse en Belgische universiteiten en hogescholen te bevorderen. Deelname staat open voor alle studenten die de voorafgaande twee jaren een masterthesis hebben afgerond op het terrein van de geschiedenis van Brabant in brede zin.
De prijs bestaat uit een geldbedrag van € 1.000 en de mogelijkheid de bekroonde scriptie, omgewerkt tot een artikel, te publiceren in het Noordbrabants Historisch Jaarboek (NHJ).
Meer informatie op Scriptieprijs Brabantse Geschiedenis.
Jan Brouwer Scriptieprijs voor Geschiedenis (Dutch)
De Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen keert, daartoe in staat gesteld door het Jan Brouwer Fonds, scriptieprijzen uit voor de geestes- en maatschappijwetenschappen, o.a. in het wetenschapsgebied Geschiedenis.
Elke prijs bestaat uit 2.000 Euro. Zij worden ieder jaar toegekend door het bestuur van de Maatschappij, na verkregen advies van door de Maatschappij telkenmale voor dit doel te benoemen commissies. De uitreiking van de prijzen geschiedt door de Maatschappij.
Meer informatie op Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen.
De Skriptieprijs (Dutch)
Is jouw scriptie geschreven voor Geschiedenis of een aanverwante studie? En beoordeeld met een 7,5 of hoger?
Stuur hem dan op naar Skript Historisch Tijdschrift en maak kans op de felbegeerde Skriptieprijs voor beste scriptie met historische insteek!
De winnaar ontvang €100, een jaarabonnement op het tijdschrift en eeuwige roem! Meer informatie: https://www.skript-ht.nl/
Gewina-Descartes-Huygens Scriptieprijs voor Wetenschaps- en Universiteitsgeschiedenis (Dutch)
Driejaarlijkse scriptieprijs. In aanmerking komen masterscripties over wetenschaps- en universiteitsgeschiedenis in de ruimste zin, van studenten die afstudeerden aan een Nederlandse of Belgische universiteit. De prijs bestaat uit €750. Bovendien wordt de winnaar hulp aangeboden bij het omvormen van de scriptie tot een wetenschappelijk artikel, indien de gelauwerde de wens tot publiceren koestert. Meer informatie: https://www.gewina.nl/activiteiten/gewina-100-jaar/scriptieprijs/