Latin American Studies at Leiden University

Explore the cultural, social, political, historical and linguistic diversity of one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Gain specialist regional expertise and immerse yourself in Latin America through unique fieldwork opportunities. Apply before 15 May to start studying at Leiden University in September 2026!

Multidisciplinary approach

Combine cultural analysis, politics, history, linguistics, and social sciences to understand Latin America from multiple perspectives.
Fieldwork in Latin America

Conduct on‑site research with guidance from Leiden experts and local partners.
International network

All classes are taught by accomplished scholars at Leiden or by scholars from our international network of universities and research institutes in the Latin American region.
Special expertise in Brazilian Studies

Leiden offers unparalleled knowledge of Brazil within the Netherlands.

Choose from three tracks

Cultural Analysis in Latin America

This track examines Latin American culture through literature, film, media, and other artistic expressions, focusing on how cultural production reflects and shapes social contexts. You will explore how identity, representation, and public narratives emerge across diverse cultural forms. During fieldwork, you might analyse cultural practices in urban spaces or study archival materials such as film collections or cultural journals.

Public Policies in Latin America

In this track you study how state and civil society actors respond to key social challenges through public policy in areas like education, security, health, and gender. You will explore how policy initiatives are designed, implemented, and experienced across the region. During fieldwork, you may investigate specific programmes run by government bodies, NGOs, or community organisations through interviews and on‑site research.

Language Variation and Bilingualism

This track focuses on bilingualism and language variation in Spanish and Portuguese, examining topics such as language contact, syntactic variation, and second‑language acquisition. You will work with interdisciplinary perspectives on heritage languages, language policy, and the social and cognitive dimensions of bilingualism. During fieldwork, you might research language variation or heritage language use within Spanish‑ or Portuguese‑speaking communities.

Latin American Studies at Leiden University

Multidisciplinary approach

Fieldwork in Latin America

International network

Special expertise in Brazilian Studies

Choose from three tracks

Cultural Analysis in Latin America

Public Policies in Latin America

Language Variation and Bilingualism