Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
In our teaching and research we highlight major developments in societies and cultures as they have unfolded during the modern and contemporary eras. We seek to gain understanding of the interrelationships of Europeanisation, globalisation, scientific and technological development, political change and cultural innovation. We are interested in how today’s societies cope with these challenges through, amongst others, practices of remembrance, governance techniques, strategies for managing knowledge, technologies and risks and ways of dealing with diversity and inequality. Yet, understanding our present world is impossible without insight into its past. This is why historical research serves as a key element of our scholarly and educational identity.
Fast Facts
- International community with 77% of our students and 42% of our staff coming from abroad
- Interdisciplinary approach towards teaching and research
- 4 bachelor's programmes, 8 master's programmes and 2 research master's programmes
- 4 research programmes, 7 research centres and a graduate school

Education
Our faculty offers four bachelor’s programmes, eight master's programmes and two research master's programmes.

Research
Our research institute studies societies and cultures as they unfolded during the modern and contemporary era in a radically interdisciplinary manner. We analyse the interrelationships of Europeanisation, globalisation, scientific and technological development, political change and cultural innovation.

News, events and stories
Read our latest news and interviews or see the events we offer.
Highlight

Predictions and Consequences - Veni grant for Jacob Ward
Jacob Ward, assistant professor at the Department of History, has been awarded a Veni research grant of up to 280,000 euros by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The Veni grants are for newly graduated excellent researchers, at the beginning of their scientific career and with an exceptional talent for research.
Together with Vidi and Vici, Veni is part of NWO’s Talent Scheme. Veni is aimed at excellent researchers who have recently obtained their doctorate. Vidi grants are aimed at experienced researchers who have carried out successful research for a number of years after obtaining their PhDs. Researchers in the Talent Scheme are free to submit their own subject for funding.
News
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Veni grant for Jacob Ward
Monday, April 11, 2022Jacob Ward, a researcher at Maastricht University, has been awarded a Veni research grant of up to 280,000 euros by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The Veni grants are for newly graduated excellent researchers, at the beginning of their scientific career and with an exceptional talent for research.
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How strong is Russia's digital iron curtain?
Friday, April 8, 2022Unlike China, Russia cannot rely on a thriving digital ecosystem of its own to replace Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Netflix.
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The logic and nonsense of Putin’s war
Wednesday, March 16, 2022As Russia’s geopolitical isolation deepens and economic sanctions begin to bite hard, one wonders what possessed Vladimir Putin to start his war in Ukraine? Will international sanctions help end the violence? And is there still a way to deescalate? FASoS’ Giselle Bosse on the anatomy of a humanitarian catastrophe.
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