Culture and Politics (MA)

Career prospects

Where do our graduates work?

Because of the extensive curriculum and specialisations, the career opportunities after completing the International Relations specialisation in Culture and Politics are broad. Our graduates have landed jobs in various sectors of the job market, such as research institutes, international organisations, government bodies, NGOs and academia. Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:

• Policy advisor at the Netherlands Police
• Consular officer at a ministry of foreign affairs
• Communications manager at a non-profit organisation
• Consultant at PwC

Yoanna Daskalova

Graduated in MA Culture and Politics

“I graduated from BA International Studies with a focus area Europe and was eager to continue delving into my particular area of interest – the intersection of culture and international politics. I was immersed into critical cultural approaches to studying the interplay between the two disciplines and was therefore especially excited to start the MA International Relations with specialization in Culture and Politics. I was very happy with my choice since my professors and courses were immensely enriching both on academic and personal level.”

Interdisciplinary skills

“I am currently working as a Communications Manager of European projects in the field of medical innovations and research. Admittedly, the scientific field I operate in is not directly related to my academic background. However, the interdisciplinary nature of both my BA and MA and my developed ability to translate complex issues into understandable language having graduated from these programs, are allowing me to comfortably switch between sectors and be satisfied with the results.“

Excellent communication skills

“My education at Leiden University has equipped me with excellent communication skills to be applied in interactions with colleagues and partners, during internal and external presentations and especially while composing written communication materials such as newsletters, brochures and any type of relevant content.“

Lara Mongiardi

Graduated in MA Culture and Politics

"Following my BA in Modern Languages, I was keen to hone and apply my cultural knowledge in an international career that could have a real-world impact on people’s lives. The Culture & Politics stream proved invaluable in helping me nurture this skillset. Through its humanities-based approach, the course offered me a solid theoretical foundation to IR, but also opened my eyes to the many ways everyday topics like culture and religion can shape how we perceive the world around us. From Day One, I was encouraged to think critically and share my thoughts with peers and tutors, gaining fresh perspectives on global issues. The programme broadened my horizons and was enjoyable and rewarding throughout!"

Kent Moore

Graduated in International Relations

"Being from my own cultural background, from the U.S., I came to Leiden with a certain view on the world. Through studying International Relations I acquired much more cultural sensitivity about certain issues. I learned about the impression the U.S. leaves on the world, which opened up my world to different viewpoints.”

Recruiting students for our study abroad programmes

"I currently work at CISabroad, a studying abroad organization that has affiliations with over 200 U.S. universities. For the most part I recruit students for our study abroad programmes, but I also arrange the logistics of some of the student trips abroad."

Inspirational lecturers

" As a lecturer I found Lindsay Black very inspirational. He is a very smart man and I owe him a drink or two for being so helpful during the process of writing my thesis."

In which sector do students find jobs?

The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA International Relations - Culture and Politics 2016-2020.

• 33 % Government and semi-government organisations
• 17 % Non-profit (e.g. at an idealistic organisation)
• 17 % Financial institutions
• 8 % IT
• 8 % Education
• 8 % Culture, sports and recreation
• 8 % Consultancy
• 1 % Other

Career preparation

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

Knowledge and transferable skills

The master’s programme in International Relations at Leiden University aims to equip you with a range of important transferable skills and knowledge that will help you stand out in your future career. Your specialised knowledge is complemented by a broad and contextual understanding as well as critical-thinking skills that can be applied to complex conceptual problems. In class, we encourage every student to participate in discussions to develop their ability to clearly and confidently articulate their ideas as well as fine-tune their logic and reasoning abilities. Other skills you may encounter in the various International Relations courses are:

• Collaboration
• Persuasion
• Research
• Self-directed learning
• Creative thinking

Career preparation activities

The following activities will help you to thoroughly explore your future career options:

• Introductory interview with coordinator of studies
• Introduction to the the Humanities Career Service
• Internship information session
• Humanities Career Event
• Activities of study association, ISSA
• Guest lectures of alumni
• Workshop ‘Insight into your skills’
• Workshop ‘How do I find a job?’
• Workshop ‘CV and letter’

Internships

You will have the opportunity to gain experience working an as intern in an organisation in the Netherlands or abroad. This experience is highly valued within international organisations, as are strong communication skills. Organisations where students from the MA International Relations programme may find an internship include:

• Security Policy Department (DVB) of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Dutch Ministry of Defense
• NGOs, for example Gender Concerns International or NGO’s focused on humanitarian aid
• Think tanks, such as the Netherlands Institute for International Relations ‘Clingendael’, the International Centre for Counterterrorism and the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies
• Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies around the world (Latvia, Washington, USA, South Africa, etc)
• European institutions - examples include Estonian presidency of the European Union, internships for members of the European Parliament
• Media outlets such as Een Vandaag in Hilversum.
• Netherlands Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Please note that you will need to find your own internship, follow an internship procedure for approval, and that pursuing an internship may have consequences for the date of your graduation.

Student-Alumni Networking Events

One of the many ways the MA International Relations prepares you for your future career is the Student-Alumni Career Networking Event. Practical advice, a panel discussion, and an informal networking reception are key ingredients for this successful event. Read more about the Student-Alumni Networking Event in 2023 or watch the video for an impression of the Networking event in 2022!