Arts and Culture (MA)

Career prospects

Create a world of opportunities with a master's degree from Leiden University.

Where do our graduates work?

Our Arts and Culture graduates are currently working with companies including Hoogsteder & Hoogsteder, Sdu Publishers, Valiz publishers, Primavera Press, the Repeat Group, Gavelers Auctioneers and Lyppens, and at art venues such as BAK Utrecht and museums including the Haags Gemeentemuseum, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and the Museum De Lakenhal in Leiden.

Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:

Curator at a museum
Collections manager at a natural history museum
Project officer for heritage at a government agency
Art teacher at a secondary school
Auctioneer at an online auction house
Research consultant at a recruitment company
Teacher of art and theory at an art school
Freelance artist and illustrator
Newspaper critic
Director of a publishing company
PhD candidate

Brantly Hancock Moore

Interdisciplinary Educator and Art Historian, Phd

"In August of 2017, I joined the PhD program in Art History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, focusing on medieval and early modern northern European collections and collecting theory. Leiden University exposed me to new perspectives and subject matter and, importantly in today’s political climate, the value of being a part of an international community of art historians that knows no borders. As Editorial Research Assistant for my advisor, I was able to work on a forthcoming edited volume of international scholarship, and in July of 2018, I will return to the Netherlands for a summer intensive course on material culture at the Rijksmuseum. Completing my MA in Leiden made me realize that the world can truly be my classroom."

Necessary skills

"I am certain that the critical thinking, organisational and communication skills cultivated during my MA programme were essential to my later success. The practical and social challenges of living abroad also equipped me with necessary skills in diplomacy and adaptability, key strengths for anyone entering the workplace - or academia."

Learning in situ

"The Arts and Culture programme offered the perfect mix of hands-on and theoretical study, and I benefited especially from the programme’s emphasis on independent study. Doctoral programs require a strong work ethic, intrinsic motivation, and the ability to work independently-- skills strengthened by my time in Leiden.

There was nonetheless ample opportunity for collaboration with my peers and professors, and I developed friendships with international colleagues that I am sure will last a lifetime. Learning in situ was extremely important for me: as an American scholar devoted to European art, I owed it to myself to come to the source, and so do you."

The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA in Arts and Culture 2020-2025.

In which sector do students find jobs?

60 % Arts and culture
20 % Research
20 % Government and semi-government organisations

Career preparation

Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.

Knowledge and skills

Launch your career with a master’s degree

Continuing your studies after your bachelor's degree pays off. Graduates with a master's degree are more likely to find higher-level positions: 77% start at a university of applied sciences (hbo) or university level, compared to 63% of graduates who only hold a bachelor's degree. This difference remains visible in the long term. After more than two years of work experience, 87% of master's alumni work at a university of applied sciences or university level, compared to 76% of bachelor's alumni.

A unique strength on the job market

As a Humanities graduate, you have developed talents that are in high demand on the job market. Intercultural skills, written communication, and social awareness are qualities that clearly distinguish Humanities graduates on the job market. Your ability to think analytically and creatively also gives you an edge.

With the skills and knowledge you have gained during the master’s programme in Arts and Culture (Research) at Leiden University you will be able to work in a range of professional and academic careers. Your specialised knowledge is complemented by highly-developed critical-thinking skills that can be applied to any issue in any situation.

Internships

Do you consider to put your knowledge into practice during your studies? Determine whether an internship could be an option for you. Start orientating your possibilities by visiting an internship information session. This way you can receive information about the internship procedure and listen to tips of former interns.
Notice that you will search for an internship yourself to find a place of your interest. Do you need some help with this or the application process? Do not hesitate to contact the Career Service. When you have found an internship, inform us. Then, the internship coordinator advises you how to proceed and provides your internship plan with feedback so it can be submitted for approval to the board of examiners.

Humanities Career Service

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Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at the Humanities Career Service provides all Leiden University Humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. The Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV. Check our video and hear from our alumni how they have benefited from our services!

Workshops and courses

The Humanities Career Service offers you various (online) workshops, webinars and info sessions. Check our overview of career activities.

LU Career Zone

The Leiden University Career Zone is an online career portal that helps you to prepare for the job market. Here you can find information, tools and tips to help you gain more personal insight, learn about the job market, develop your application skills, plan your academic and professional career, find job vacancies and discover what the Career Service can do for you.

Ask Alumni: Leiden University Mentor Network

Join the Mentor Network to contact alumni with experience on the labour market and ask them for advice. More than 1200 alumni are happy to help you!

Jelle on finding an internship via Leiden University's Mentor Network

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