This programme is designed to encourage students to pursue their interests in European history in depth and to obtain training specifically designed for undertaking research in European history. Geographically, the degree deals with West, Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and regions such as Scandinavia and the Balkans. It offers the opportunity to study European History in a cross-national perspective and at the same time to focus on specific European countries or regions. There are optional courses on the history of single countries such as France, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and the Soviet Union among others. Students are introduced to different theoretical, methodological and historiographical approaches of writing European history. They are taught in several sub-disciplines of history and can choose options in areas including social and economic history, political history, cultural and intellectual history, gender history, diplomatic and military history. The chronology of the various components covers the medieval, early modern, modern and contemporary periods.