Linguistics (MA)

Career prospects

Skills and competence acquired

A Linguistics master's degree from Leiden University is an excellent preparation for a wide variety of jobs. Our students graduate with valuable practical and theoretical skills, including strong skills in the interpretation of texts and the analysis and solution of conceptual problems, and the ability to independently conduct high-quality scientific research.

Career

According to our survey, our graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in a range of professions. Examples include:

• Editor at a publishing company
• Translator for the Dutch Ministry of Internal Affairs
• PR advisor at at a marketing firm
• Author of educational materials at a Dutch publisher
• Project manager at a translation agency
• Teacher
• Consular officer at a ministry of foreign affairs
• PhD candidate at various universities
• Business consultant at a data management company
• Content manager/editor
• Advisor at an institute focusing on linguistic research and language teaching
• Linguistics consultant in training at a non-profit organisation

Teacher qualification

If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can apply for the Dutch-taught teacher-training MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education after graduating from the master’s programme. To be admitted, you need to have a master’s degree in the  relevant discipline. Fluency in Dutch is mandatory, and additional entry requirements may apply. Please visit the ICLON website to learn more about the different teacher training programmes at ICLON.

Academic career

If you are interested in pursuing an academic and research career, you can consider applying for the two-year Research Master's in Linguistics. Please keep in mind that this programme has additional admission requirements. You can explore the possibilities with the programme coordinator.

Karola Woll

Graduated in Language and Communication (MA Linguistics)

"Language and Communication at Leiden University was the perfect fusion of my bachelor’s studies in Media and Communication Studies as well as English and American Studies. That’s why I had chosen this specialisation of linguistics in communication."

An international environment

"Leiden University offered a very international environment. All languages were welcome for being subject of research. Classes consisted of people from all over Europe and even overseas, and this made studying very enriching and colourful. Especially because groups were small, and a personal supervision could be provided by the academic staff."

Work in different fields

"This programme suited me as being rather more of a generalist than an expert. I’m more than one, and my studies have smoothed the way to work in different fields. Currently, I am preparing my freelance work as being a business coach in communication, a copywriter and a writer."

Margaret den Besten

Graduated in Language Diversity of Africa, Asia and Native America (MA Linguistics)

"I was always interested in investigating languages. I was looking for a master’s that not only provided theoretical knowledge, but also practical knowledge. And that is exactly what the master’s in Language Diversity of Africa, Asia and Native America does. This master’s programme offers a wide range of courses. Not only courses that focus on the descriptive side of linguistics, but also courses where you are forced to think beyond what you are used to. It makes you think about your own worldview and how language influences it."

Put all your theoretical knowledge into practice

"Another great thing about this programme is that it offers you the opportunity to do an internship. This way you can put all your theoretical knowledge into practice. With the help of a professor I got to do an awesome and educational internship at SIL Cameroon, researching and writing a phonology and orthography of an indigenous language."

Helping to prevent languages from dying out

"After my graduation I started working there! I work with several undocumented languages. I study those languages to eventually produce an alphabet and an orthography. This helps to prevent the languages from dying out and gives the language groups a way of expressing themselves not only through speaking, but also through writing. It is exciting to live and work in a completely different culture and to be able to study languages that haven't been studied before."

In which sector do our graduates find jobs?

The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA Linguistics 2020-2025.

• 18 % Research
• 18 % Education
• 9 % IT
• 9 % Information management
• 9 % Government and semi-government
• 9 % Communication and marketing
• 9 % Media and journalism
• 9 % Travel agency / aviation
• 9 % Other

Career preparation

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

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!