Overview

Research themes

Museums and Memorials

This theme in the Heritage, Memory and Material Culture programme at the University of Amsterdam examines how art, cultural objects and artefacts as well as their stakeholders engage with and give shape to cultural heritage and memory.

Heritage and Conflict

This theme explores the heritage of conflicts and the memory boom in the present, as well as the activation of heritage and memory as means of conflict resolution

Transnational Memory Narratives

This theme investigates the dynamics of memory and the politics of narrative, broadly conceived, in relation to identity formation and material culture agencies.

Digitality and E-Memories

The theme examines digital technologies and they ways in which they influence the production, transmission of and engagement with cultural heritage and memory.

Materiality and Material Culture

This theme focuses on the documentation, analysis, interpretation and conservation of materials and material culture varying from archeological sites, (art) object to landscapes.

Programme Structure

Research groups include:

Archaeological Heritage and Contemporary Society
Archaeology of Cultural Landscapes and Natural Environments
Archives and Records in Transition
Books as Cultural Intermediary
Conflict Archaeology
Conserving Wax-Resin Lined Paintings
Contemporary Art Conservation
Digital Heritage
Dynamics of Memory: WWII Heritage & Memory
Explokart: Exploration of Maps and Mappings, 16th-20th Centuries
Global Trajectories of Thought and Memory: Art and the Global South
Looted Art: Provenance Research and Restitution in the Netherlands
Making Memories: European Elites, Country House Cultures & Identities
Materiality in the Study and Conservation of Cultural Heritage
Museums and Interpretation: Visitors’ Narratives, Objects and Digital Tools
Oral History & Transitional Justice
Post Memories: Intergenerational Narratives of Conflict
Postcolonial Heritages and Diasporic Memories

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-02 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Disciplines

History Museum Studies View 5 other PhDs in History in Netherlands

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Other requirements

General requirements

Doctoral research can only take place under the supervision of a professor associated with the UvA. You cannot take your application further until a professor has agreed to take you on as a PhD candidate.
For admission to the doctoral programme you must have a Dutch Master's degree (or an old-style initial university degree). If you have a different Dutch qualification or a foreign qualification, you must apply for an exemption from the educational requirement before applying for admission.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

Free
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

Free

Additional Details

Candidates may be employed by the Faculty of Humanities or they may be self-funded and automatically receive a full tuition waiver.

Living costs

Amsterdam

Netherlands

1000 - 1500 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.