Orientation 2023
You will meet your fellow students and your tutor during the orientation. You will also receive information about all sorts of practical matters, such as ICT, academic supervision and the binding recommendation regarding the continuation of studies.
Welcome to the School of History and Art History of Utrecht University.
You have chosen to study at university and are now embarking on a new stage in your life. This may even be your first experience of living in the Netherlands – in which case your stay in Utrecht will be particularly exciting.
With the choice for an academic study, a new phase in your life begins. The History study at our Department offers you a unique opportunity to develop all the capacities you have within you. The study asks you to read and write a lot, to think, to research, to discuss and to present.
We would like to offer you inspiring education, involve you in our research, show you what you can do with historical knowledge and skills also outside your direct study path and prepare you for further study or the professional world.
The History program at Utrecht University is one of the best in the country. We will do our very best to live up to the high standards together with you. Studying is not only about meeting the formal requirements of your education, but above all making the most of everything the university has to offer you intellectually, socially and culturally. Our experience is that you will benefit optimally from the university if you invest a lot in your studies yourself.
Certainly at the beginning it will take some time to find your way within the university. Your regular seminar group during the first year of the History program and the activities of the UHSK are intended to help you adjust and to make you feel at home.
On behalf of the teachers and students of the History programme, we wish you an enjoyable, inspiring and successful stay at Utrecht University!
David Onnekink
Director of Education Bachelor, Department of History and Art History
Dear aspiring-history students,
On behalf of the Introduction Committee 2023 for the history bachelor’s, we would like to give you a warm welcome at the study of history in Utrecht! We hope this email finds you filled with anticipation and excitement as you embark on your upcoming journey studying history at Utrecht University! The start of the academic year is in September, though, we want to give the opportunity for you to kick start your university experience and set the stage for an unforgettable adventure – the Introduction Camp!
Mark your agendas for Wednesday August 30th until Friday September 1st, as that is when we will all leave for an incredible time in Limburg, and return on the 1st of September, giving you the whole weekend to recover and take some rest. Introduction camp is the place to make new friends and create lasting memories before the semester even begins. We don’t want to give everything away just yet- but we are so excited for the program we have prepared at camp and can’t wait for you to experience it- prepared for laughter, bonding, and unforgettable experiences.
The camp is voluntary, but of course you don’t want to miss it- and places are filling up fast. Use this link to sign up. We have a maximum number of places, so first come, first served. If you sign up, you will receive an email with the rest of the information you need for the camp.
The camp is free for everyone, including food and drink. NB! You do have to pay for the train journey Utrecht Centraal-Maastricht yourself. The student travel product is valid only from the 1st of September. On the parties, for the soda, beer and wine you receive 10 coins of us, but you have the opportunity to get more yourselves as well.
We, the Introduction Committee will take care of the activities, but your guides at the camp will be your mentors, ready to guide you through your first year! For international students, peer-coaches will take over the job of the mentors and they remain available for the rest of the year to help you with questions about every kind of matter.
When you register for the camp and there is still enough space, you will receive an email with additional information and a luggage list, as well as more information.
The academic year will start on Monday September 4th, but luckily you don't have to go straight to lectures. Monday is the faculty day where you will get to know the university and everything around it. You will get to know your working group better, you will meet your tutor and mentors and you will visit the UHSK room and the committee market, where you will learn all about the ins and outs of the study association. In short, all things that will help you to have a good and pleasant first year!
You will receive an email with additional information about the faculty day soon!
We look forward to meeting you in person in August, or in September for the Faculty day. If you have any questions, you can mail or text us. Our email is: icgeschiedenis.gw@uu.nl. Our number is: +31641573540. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram: @introductie_geschiedenis. For more information, visit our website: Orientation 2022 - History (BA) - Students UU
Best,
Introduction Committee 2023
Iseult, Aoife, Boris, Ties, Vera, Marie, Floris and Rustam
To the BA History students, year of arrival 2023-2024
Dear first year students,
History is a wonderful study. In the first year of your study, you will be offered a great deal of knowledge during the various introductory courses. You will also have to acquire the necessary academic skills. In the later years of study, there is plenty of room for creativity and the student's own interpretation of the study programme.
As study advisors for the History programme, we would like to give you an impression of the guidance offered during our programme. This guidance is important, because studying History is not without obligation. For the binding study advice (BSA), a minimum of 45 EC (credits) is required in the first year of the study programme.
On September 4 students start the academic year with an introduction. This is an introduction to the subject matter with information about the content and structure of the first-year study programme. Student mentors accompany the first year students during the introduction. You will also meet fellow students, your tutor (one of the teachers) and get to know the Utrecht Historical Students Circle (UHSK), the study association of History students.
Presence at the introduction is mandatory.
In the first semester, students take all courses with the same seminar group. This way, you get to know your peers well. There is a tutor for each seminar group, who will guide the students throughout the first year. Tutor guidance takes place regularly throughout the academic year through individual discussions and group meetings.
You will also be paired up with a peer coach (senior student) for additional guidance and who you can easily ask questions.
The study advisors are also an important point of contact for the student. The tutor may refer the student to the study advisor in the event of complicated study planning or in the event of study delay due to special personal circumstances. The student can contact the study advisor directly if, for example, there are questions about the binding study advice, the examination regulations, studying with a disability/neurodiversity or exemptions within the study programme. If there are any questions about the introduction, the student can initially contact the introductory committee via ICgeschiedenis.gw@uu.nl. If you have urgent questions for the study advisor, then the quickest way to get in touch with us is via the daily telephone hours. You can of course also reach us through email via studieadviesGKG.gw@uu.nl.
Good luck in the coming year!
Evelien Hazewinkel, Mirjam van Deutekom & Majed Zain
Study Advisors for the BA History
Dear freshmen,
I'm so glad I get to welcome you in the most beautiful student city of the Nederlands, as well as to the best Bachelor our university has to offer. It is going to be a fantastic time where you will make plenty of new friends, and a lot of fun times are on the horizon. We can help you with both of those!
My name is Dax and in the academic year 2022-2023 I am the chair of the Utrechtse Historische Studentenkring (UHSK). This is 'the' study association for history students in Utrecht. We are a very active association with tons of activities, dedicated to giving a nice home to (new) students. Plus, all members get discounts on study books!
Where a student association has obligations, a study association is non-committal. There is no obligation to participate in events, but you can always have fun at the UHSK.
We organize a range of activities. On the one hand we are known for our weekly drinks and parties in our beloved K-Sjot. On the other we also host more substantive events such as (exam) training sessions and interesting lectures. This way, there is something for everyone!
You can only call a place home if there are friends, and that's what the UHSK is all about. By applying for a committee you instantly have an instant group of friends. All committees have a function and cover a different aspect of our association. The Party Committee organizes our parties, the Drama Committee rehearses all year for their big production in May, the Music Committee makes music and organizes musical activities, our Political Café is all about discussion, and the Symposium Committee organizes our annual lecture. That's just a few! There will surely be something for you within our 22 committees.
First-years get priority registration for all committees, so don't let this opportunity pass you by! During the Faculty Day, there will be time to meet the committees and sign up during the committee market.
Don't hesitate to join this fun group of history students!
With kind regards,
Dax Antheunisse
chair of the UHSK
In the Courseplanner you are able to see which books you need for each course. Through the study association UHSK, you can get a discount on ordering your books via WO4YOU.
Course material Block 1
Introduction to Ancient History
- L. de Blois and B. Van der Spek, An Introduction to the Ancient World (London 2008), third edition, 2019. You need a copy either physical or in PDF.
Introduction to the Study of History
- Sarah Maza. Thinking About History. University of Chicago Press.
The BSA at the end of the first year determines whether you may continue with your studies. The BSA is a decision by the Board of Examiners about the continuation of your studies, based on your study progress.
For the academic year 2023-2024 the BSA norm is 45 EC.
The BSA is determined as follows:
- positive BSA
- if you have obtained at least 45 EC at the end of the academic year 2023-2024. Credits associated with exemptions or courses from previous years do not count.
or - if you have completed the first-year program of your study at the end of 2023-2024. Both previously obtained results and exemptions are taken into account. For more information about this option please contact your study advisor.
- if you have obtained at least 45 EC at the end of the academic year 2023-2024. Credits associated with exemptions or courses from previous years do not count.
- negative BSA: if you fail to meet at least one of the conditions mentioned above.
You will receive your BSA at the end of July at your students.uu.nl email address.
Negative BSA
If your binding study recommendation comes back negative, you may not enrol in the degree programme again for another four years for the same programme at Utrecht University.
Interim study recommendation
At an earlier point during the academic year, you will receive what is called the 'interim study recommendation'. This recommendation is not binding. It is issued in December or January of the first year of study, and is based on the results of the first study period. You will receive:
- a positive interim recommendation for 15 EC or more;
- a progress warning for 7.5 EC;
- a negative interim recommendation for 0 EC.
Terminating your enrolment before February 1st
If you want to drop out of your current degree programme and you terminate your enrolment before February 1st (through Studielink), you will not receive a binding study advice and will be able to make a fresh start with the degree programme next year. Please note that this only applies in the first year that you are registered for your current degree programme.
Students who receive a warning or a negative recommendation are advised to contact their tutor and/or Study Advisor. The tutor can provide additional information on study progress. The Study Advisor can help with a wide range of questions on faculty regulations and the more organisational aspects of the programme, such as drawing up a realistic study plan, or discussing support with academic skills. Students can also make an appointment to see the Study Advisor to discuss any personal or social circumstances that affect their studies. To qualify for an exception to the BSA rules, contact with your Study Advisor is a prerequisite (see further information under the heading Special Personal Circumstances).
Stopping your degree programme
Students who wish to cease their studies (or who must do so following a negative BSA) are advised to discuss the matter with the Study Advisor. There may be regulations in place for you from which you can benefit. The Study Advisor can also provide information on options for studying something else at Utrecht University, or transferring to a degree programme at a different institution.
If you know (or suspect) that you will not be able to meet the BSA criteria due to personal circumstances, you may ask the Board of Examiners to take this into consideration when making their decision. However, it is important that you report and present evidence of these circumstances to the Study Advisor as soon as possible after they appear. The study advisor offers relevant guidance to prevent study delay where possible and informs you about relevant regulations and procedures.
Special circumstances include:
- illness
- pregnancy
- functional disorder
- serious mental problems
- serious family circumstances
- top-level sport
- management activities (for student organisations with full legal capacity, or as part of the organisation or management of Utrecht University, the faculty or the study programme)
Notifying the Board of Examiners
Further information on how to notify the Board of Examiners will follow in May 2024. Interviews with the Board of Examiners will take place in late June or early July 2024.
More information
Read more about the binding study advice (BSA) and special circumstances in Article 7.4 of the General Education and Examination Regulations for Bachelor's degree programmes.