Classics (research) (MA)
Admission requirements
To be eligible for Classics (research) at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.
Diploma requirements
The following diploma requirements apply for this programme:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Classics or a comparable discipline, with classes on Greek and Latin texts in the original language, roughly equivalent to the 95 credits required in the Dutch system. You are required to submit an overview of ancient Greek and Latin texts (with numbers of pages) that you have read in the original language during your undergraduate/graduate studies.
For further information on the admission procedure and required application documents please see this web page.
In addition, you must also meet the following qualitative admission requirements:
- Good grades comparable with an average mark of at least 7.5 (Dutch grading system) for your entire bachelor’s programme and a grade for the bachelor’s thesis of an 8 or higher.
- Affinity with and suitability for scholarly research in the specific field of the programme/specialisation and the ability to clearly report on research.
- Demonstrable motivation to study and suitability for the particular Research MA programme/specialisation.
The qualitative admission requirements will be implemented as follows:
- You are asked to provide a transcript of records and diploma of the relevant obtained academic degree.
- Your motivation and suitability should be demonstrated by a motivation letter in which you indicate why you want to follow the programme and what makes you a good candidate for the research MA programme. The statement should be between 700 and 1,500 words.
- You are required to submit a writing sample (a relevant research paper or Bachelor’s Thesis). In case you are unable to demonstrate via a writing sample that you meet the requirement Please submit a 1,250 word essay as part of the admission process:
- in this essay you must demonstrate an affinity with and specific knowledge of the specialisation
- it must clearly answer a research question, provide a reasonable and reasonably well-organised argument that demonstrates an understanding of the topic of the essay.
Language requirements
In order to successfully participate in this programme, you must be proficient in English. The following requirements apply:
- IELTS: 7.0
- TOEFL (internet-based): 100
- C2 Proficiency (former CPE) or C1 Advanced (former CAE) 185
A minimum score of IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 25 is required for each of the four components.
For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.
English tests accepted
Note that English test results may not be more than two years old. The following types of English test are accepted:
- IELTS: Academic
- We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator
- We are not yet able to accept the new IELTS online.
- TOEFL: internet based
- We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best ™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™ or institutional tests such as ITP.
- We can accept TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition™ or TOEFL IBT Paper Edition™ in the following situations only:
- You are applying for a programme starting in Feb 2023, or
- You took the test before 1 Sept 2022 (& it is not more than 2 years old), or
- You are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres in your region are closed due to COVID or inaccessible due to unsafe conditions.
- Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced, depending on admission criteria
Please note: You do not have to submit proof of proficiency if you have completed your education in the USA, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta, or when you hold an International Baccalaureate, or for Dutch students, if you have completed VWO level English or an English taught bachelor at a Dutch Research University.