Latin American Studies (research) (MA)

The two-year interdisciplinary research master’s in Latin American Studies addresses cutting-edge debates on the social and cultural issues in present-day Latin America and the Caribbean region.

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Why study Latin American Studies (research) at Leiden University

Leiden University's Latin American Studies (research) programme is your opportunity to explore the social, cultural, and historical narratives shaping present-day Latin America. Taught by international researchers, this interdisciplinary programme centers around the theme Latin American Modernities: Resistance, Revival and Change.

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Focus on one of three specialist areas

Explore the different forms of modernity in Latin America within one of three areas: culture and identity, state-society relations, and literature, arts and media. A comparative, area studies approach to research provides a broader, global context to current issues in Latin America.

Admission and Application

Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's programme?

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Field research in Latin America

This programme attracts talented students and staff from around the world. Small classes ensure you get the most from in-class discussions and direct contact with your international peers and lecturers. An important focus of this programme is developing your ability to conduct high-quality scientific research, including field research in a Latin American country. A substantial part of the programme is taught in Spanish or Portuguese, developing your proficiency in one of these languages.

Find out more about the career prospects

In which sector do students find jobs?

75 Government and semi-government organisations
25 Research

The graph above is based on alumni data from the Research MA in Latin American Studies 2016-2020.

Latin American Studies (research) degree

Latin American Studies (research) at Leiden University is an accredited degree programme. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a master’s degree in Latin American Studies and the title Master of Arts (MA).

At Leiden, you can gain an in-depth understanding of Brazil, the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world and home to a fascinating culture and emerging global player on the world stage. Our MA and Research MA students can choose to do fieldwork in Brazil.
The beautiful city of Salvador is the capital of the Brazilian state of Bahia, home to Brazil’s largest Afro-Brazilian population. Brazil’s multicultural landscape, its history and complex social make-up is an important part of what we study at Leiden.
Machu Picchu translates to 'old peak' in Quechua. Quechua was spoken by the Incas. Nowadays, it is the second most common language in Peru, a multilingual nation. In Leiden, you can study how indigenous populations are depicted in written materials, what the impact of multilingual education policies is, as well as the linguistic outcomes of language contact.
An important parallel Belize has with other regions in Central America is the use of Spanish alongside Kriol, as English-based creoles are also spoken in coastal provinces of Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. In Leiden, we examine the multiple manifestations of language contact in these communities.
The majestic Teotihuacan pyramids in central Mexico are the reminder of the great civilisations that flourished prior to the arrival of the European colonisers in the 15th century. The social, cultural, linguistic legacies of these civilisations in contemporary Latin America are some of the topics we study in Leiden.