Universiteit Leiden

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Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence (MA)

The key subject of this specialisation is Inequality (at local, national and global levels). We study this from an intersectional perspective: gender, class, ethnicity or race, religion, sexuality, age, ability/disability, citizenship and legal status. We study these categories of power and identity in connection to each other and not separately. We therefore do not have - for instance - a separate course on gender. We think that how societies deal with one form of diversity - for instance gender - is related to other forms of diversity, such as class, ethnicity, religion, sexuality etcetera.

A top-ranked programme

According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, History at Leiden University is rated 1st in continental Europe and 17th in the world.

As a student of the programme, you will learn to understand and contribute to current debates about migration, urbanisation, globalisation, crime, economic growth and inequality. You will study them from a comparative and historical perspective.

Why choose Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence at Leiden University?

  • This enables you to place them in the wider frameworks of global networks. Learn to understand and contribute to current debates about migration, urbanisation, globalisation, crime, economic growth and inequality and put these debates in a historical and comparative perspective.
  • Study the movement of people, goods, services, capital, and ideas, and demographic, spatial, political, institutional, and legal, opportunities and restrictions.
  • Become an academic researcher, a well-informed politician or policy maker,an employee of a NGO, European or national organisation, a critical journalist, or an inspiring teacher.
  • Include gender, class, religion, sexuality and race/ethnicity in your study and of processes that create equality/inequality and freedoms and slavery.
  • Benefit from the expertise of an international team of enthusiastic teachers.

Learn more about the study programme

Is Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence the programme for you?

Are you curious about topics such as the refugee crisis, economic growth and persistent inequality, and crime and urbanisation? Do you want to dive into these heated current societal and political debates from a comparative and historical perspective? Then Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence at Leiden University is the right Master's programme for you. Find out if you are eligible for this Master's programme by checking the admission requirements.

Check the admission requirements

Follow the main CMGI track or choose the subtrack Governance of Migration and Diversity (GMD)

Governance of Migration and Diversity is a cooperation between Leiden University, Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam. By studying the Governance of Migration and Diversity specialisation, you will become an expert on migration.

In which sector do students find jobs?

  • 25 Goverment and semi-government organisations
  • 20 Education
  • 15 Research
  • 10 Communication and marketing
  • 5 IT
  • 5 Welfare and health
  • 5 Industry
  • 5 Consultancy
  • 5 Information management
  • 5 Business services

The graph above is based on alumni data from the MA Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence 2016-2020.

NVAO accredited programme

What are your career prospects?

This Master's prepares you for a wide range of roles in almost every sector of the job market. Our graduates work at different types of organisations, such as research institutes, international organisations, the cultural and recreational sector, and academia. Jobs include researcher, consultant, communications manager and PhD candidate.

Find out more about the career prospects

Nadia Bouras about her research

Nadia Bouras is an expert in the field of the migration and integration of Moroccan people in the Netherlands and lectures on the Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence programme. In this video, she talks more about her research. 

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Chat with a student

Do you have a question about student life in Leiden, studying at Leiden University, or do you want more information about the History master's programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions! 

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