The master’s programme of Latin American Studies offered by Leiden University supports the teaching and research of the social, cultural, historical, and linguistic diversity of contemporary Latin America, a region of mind-blowing diversity and global impact.
Why study Latin American Studies at Leiden University?
Taught by scholars from Leiden University's internationally-acclaimed Faculty of Humanities, and including collaboration from visiting experts on Latin America, the master in Latin American Studies explores the most current social, political, linguistic and cultural developments shaping Latin America today. You may choose from one of three disciplinary tracks:
Cultural Analysis in Latin America
Public Policies in Latin America
Language Variation and Bilingualism
Three broad tracks ensure a deep theoretical and methodological underpinning, allowing students to specialise in their areas of interest. The tracks tie in with the teaching and research expertise in our programme. In addition to the mandatory courses within each track, students can broaden or deepen their knowledge through a wide choice of electives, self-devised fieldwork and their thesis. A research trip to Latin America immerses you in one of the Latin American cultures and languages, while developing your ability to conduct high-quality scientific research and communicate professionally and effectively.
Your degree qualifies you for roles in cultural organisations, education, translation, tourism, publishing, documentation and information processing, development, embassies, ministries of foreign affairs, and semi-governmental and non-profit organisations with a focus on Latin America. You are also well-equipped to pursue a PhD position and a career in academia.
A substantial part of the programme is taught in Spanish and Portuguese: another reason why this programme attracts ambitious students from all over the world. Small classes ensure a high level of interaction between you, your international peers, and your lecturers – creating an exceptionally stimulating and supportive learning environment.Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's programme?
The graph above is based on alumni data from the MA in Latin American Studies 2016-2020.
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.
Why Leiden University
Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their potential.
A top-ranked university
Leiden University's Humanities department consistently ranks in the top 30 faculties Humanities departments worldwide in the THE world university ranking. At Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands, you can access resources found nowhere else in the world, such as those of the famous Leiden University Library and its collections of original manuscripts and periodicals.
International network
At Leiden University we have a dedicated team of international researchers in the field of Latin American Studies. All classes are taught by accomplished scholars at Leiden or by scholars from our international network of universities and research institutes in the Latin American region. Small classes give students valuable time interacting with their lecturers and the necessary support to reach their full potential.
Your qualification from Leiden University is respected by organisations worldwide. Our two-year research master programmes are designed to develop your potential as a researcher and a critical thinker. You also have the opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience by conducting research abroad, or taking part in an internship at an organisation.
We are convinced that our education can only flourish if everyone within the programme feels supported, respected and empowered to do their best work. We find it important to offer a learning environment that allows for different perspectives and points of view that students bring with them, depending on their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, health, religion, age or socio-economic background. Every new generation sees the world from a new perspective – and our students are the newest generation. We look forward to hearing more about your perspective. Leiden University has been pursuing diversity policy since 2014, with the aim of creating a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment for all staff and students.
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Over the course of the Latin American Studies programme you will learn to understand the here and now of this region by engaging with the most recent academic debates.
At the start of the master in Latin American Studies programme you will choose a disciplinary track:
Cultural Analysis of Image and Discourse in Latin America
Public Policies and Social Programmes in Latin America
Language Variation and Bilingualism
Programme structure
Course
EC
Theoretical seminar within chosen track
10
Research Methods seminar within chosen track
10
Research in Latin America, November – January (or over Summer period if you start the MA in February)
10
Elective*
10
Thesis
20
For a more detailed programme, see the Prospectus.
Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may slightly differ.
Public Policies
National Identity and Nation Branding in Chile
The project of the Nicaraguan Canal: Nationalism versus economic development
Cultural Analysis
The representation of domestic servants in Brazilian cinema
The conceptualization of the border in contemporary Mexican literature
Language Variation and Bilingualism
The phenomenon of Code-switching among Polish Immigrants in Argentina
The acquisition of Grammatical Gender in Dutch: a comparison between Dutch Monolingual Children and Spanish-Dutch Bilingual children
Topics within the courses are connected to the evolving social, linguistic and cultural issues shaping Latin America. Each year, we organize a rich programme of invited academic speakers, including guest lecture series by scholars from Brazil, and a dedicated course taught by a prominent scholar from Chile. . Speakers from other Dutch and foreign universities, NGOs, embassies and International Relations also regularly speak at guest lectures.
The aim of the MA in Latin American Studies is to ensure you graduate with state-of-the-art knowledge about key academic issues that are currently under discussion in and on Latin America in the fields of modern history, cultural analysis or linguistics. In addition, you will have learned how to carry out independent research in a Latin American country, and how to develop this research into an academic piece of work in the form of a written dissertation.
Cultural Analysis in Latin America studies Latin American culture through literature and media in the broadest sense, with a strong focus on the relationship between cultural production and social contexts. You will explore the ways modern social dynamics in the region impact on, and are in turn impacted by, Latin American cultural production and identity representations. Also significant is the study of how cultural narratives (whether in literature or film, for example) play a role in allowing different voices and sections of society to articulate their experiences (even when traditionally silenced or marginalized). In this track, we study works drawn from a broad range of fields: from literature, to theatre, film and popular culture (soap operas graphic novels, song lyrics).Staff expertise cover disciplinary fields withinliterary studies, film and media studies, cultural studies, visual and performing arts, new media.
Examples of research you can conduct include specific cultural expressions one can find in the Latin American cities, from graffiti to blogs, from mass cultural events to neighborhood actions to keep their local identity. During fielwork, aside from interviews, for example, archival research can be done into film archives or cultural journals, to name a few, looking at the ways in which specific current issues are treated in film and television production.
If you choose for Public Policies in Latin America (modern Latin American history), you will have the chance to study the fast changing nature of current state-civil society relations in this region. Special attention is paid to such issues as the formulation and application of public policies dealing with problems in fields such as education, citizens’ security, poverty alleviation, indigenous groups, gender issues, health, and environment, and the ways civil society interacts with these initiatives.Staff expertise cover disciplinary fields within modern history, political economy, politics, international relations, anthropology, sociology.
You can conduct for instance fieldwork research on specific programmes implemented by state agencies as well as by local governments, NGOs, and citizens’ initiatives in several Latin American countries. By conducting interviews with citizens, policy-makers, and experts on the specific topic of study, you will obtain a unique experience in Latin America.
Within the Language Variation and Bilingualism track you will study a series of current issues related bilingualism and language variation in the Spanish and Portuguese language as spoken in Latin America. Our faculty members do research on topics such as second language acquisition, grammatical aspects of bilingualism and language contact and syntactic variation. Moreover, faculty members and students bring a strong interdisciplinary focus to scholarship and teaching and actively collaborate with other Leiden University programs, such as the Leiden University Center for Linguistics (LUCL) and the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC). Staff expertise cover disciplinary fields within sociolinguistics, bilingualism, second-language acquisition, morphosyntax, heritage languages, minority and indigenous languages, language policy, language contact.
During the master main theoretical and methodological issues will be discussed based on examples drawn from studies of bilingualism and language variation in Spanish and Portuguese. Several topics will be presented, from first to second language acquisition, individual to social bilingualism and finally language instruction and language policies concerning bilingualism.
You can conduct research on for instance second language acquisition, language variation, heritage Spanish and Portuguese in the Netherlands.
Fieldwork research
As part of the programme you will spend six to eight weeks in a Latin American country of your choice to conduct fieldwork research for your final thesis. This is a very important part of the programme in which you will not only develop your research but also your personal skills. In recent years Latin American Studies students have been doing their fieldwork research at the following institutions:
Mexico: Colegio de Mexico (Mexico D.F.), Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara/ITESO, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
Ecuador: FLACSO
Brazil: Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Fundação Getulio Vargas.
Chile: Universidad Diego Portales, Universidad Central de Chile, Universidad de Chile.
Puerto Rico: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Guatemala: Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
Patricio Silva
Professor of Modern Latin American History
“Most of our students not only want to learn about Latin America but also, if possible, to contribute to the solution of its problems. The programme is entirely focused on the explorations of key social problems in the region but also on their possible solutions. The fact that students are challenged to think about what to do, how and why, motivates them enormously.”
Studying social policies
“The programme is oriented to the study of public policies in Latin America. Each student has to study a specific social policy (in the fields of education, housing, security, health, etc.) in a particular Latin American country. For this purpose, they stay for two months in Latin America studying and participating in a Ministry, a specialised state agency, or in a Non-Governmental Organisation. So they learn the ‘real thing’: how real actors do try to solve specific problems in their countries. This first-hand experience of working in developmental institutions has proven to be highly appreciated in the Dutch job market.”
No easy solutions
“I turn my students into critical thinkers by confronting them with the very hard reality that there are no easy and fast solutions for complex developmental problems. Hence, all the existing choices have their pros and cons. So what seems to be the optimal solution at first glance, can produce disastrous consequences for a country. They become critical thinkers by being cautious and inquisitive about the possible effects of specific public policies.”
Maria del Carmen Parafita Couto
University Lecturer
“When the Spaniards and the Portuguese arrived in what is now known as Latin America, they came into contact with multiple indigenous linguistic communities (Quechua, Aymara, Mayan languages, etc.). Latin America is also home to many migrant languages (Italian, German, Welsh, etc.). The combination of Spanish and Portuguese with indigenous and migrant languages makes Latin America a remarkable area for the study of multilingualism as a linguistic, cultural and social phenomenon."
"In the Language Variation and Bilingualism track, students develop critical insights into the role that multilingualism plays in Latin American cultural, social and political life, and how multilingualism plays a role in shaping Latin American society. Students also develop an understanding of the underlying linguistic mechanisms of multilingual phenomena such as code-switching and borrowing, as well as specific issues that arise during the process of language acquisition and in the grammars of so-called ¨heritage¨ speakers."
"The Language Variation and Bilingualism track supports inter- and multi-disciplinary research involving local communities and languages in different regions of Latin America. We welcome students interested in completing research projects on any aspect of multilingualism or language variation in the region.”
Gabriel Inzaurralde
Lecturer
“Because of the traumatic phenomenon of the European conquest, among other factors, Latin America has always been the territory of extreme inequalities, cultural and political confrontation, but also the continent of utopian experimentation, revolutions and social movements. In the Cultural Analysis track we take the pulse of the flow of texts, images and ideas that have accompanied the unique process of Latin American modernity. In this way, students acquire familiarity with topics within Latin American debates that also connect with many of their own concerns about the future of culture in our time."
"We study in detail the complex relationship between politics and culture in Latin America, the traumatic background of oppression and looting as well as the memory of the historical sufferings of a continent. But we also study the cultural memory of hope that cinema, literature, music and Latin American social movements have been building with the traces left by the enthusiasm, creativity and rebellion of the people.”
Extra-curricular
Get the most out of your studies at Leiden University by taking part in our extracurricular activities.
Research seminars
Throughout the year activities are organised to encourage community building. Each semester the programme organises three Latin American Studies research seminars where students, lecturers, PhD-students and researchers from outside Leiden University give lectures. In addition, to celebrate the beginning and the end of the academic year the Latin American Studies department organises an opening and closing lecture.
An individual approach to learning
The teaching generally takes the form of small-scale seminars and tutorials, in which lively and engaging discussions are encouraged. The small class sizes give you a high degree of contact with both your lecturers and fellow students. Throughout your studies, you will also regularly meet with your mentor to discuss your progress in the modules of the first semester and to explore potential research topics. During your research fieldwork in Latin America you will keep in touch with your supervisor by email at least once every two weeks to inform about the developments.
Leiden Leadership Programme
Are you interested in developing your leadership potential? The Leiden Leadership Programme (LLP) is an Honours Programme specifically developed for ambitious master's students at Leiden University and the Delft University of Technology who recognise the importance of leadership abilities. The LLP offers in-depth training sessions, assessments, seminars, and the creation of a Personal Leadership Roadmap – a five-year plan for reaching and developing your leadership potential.
Meet our staff
Prof. dr. E. Amann
Edmund Amann is Professor of Brazilian Studies at Leiden University. His research centres on regulation, innovation and foreign direct investment in a developing country context. Much of his work focuses on the experiences of Latin America, especially Brazil. View his full profile here.
Dr. E. Alves Vieira
Eduardo Alves Vieira is a University Lecturer at the Centre for Linguistics. His first main research project is a language policy study that examines the expansion of Portuguese throughout the world as an international language. View his full profile here.
Dr. S.L.A. Brandellero
Sara Brandellero is a University Lecturer at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society. Her fields of interest includes Brazilian Literature, Film and Culture, Lusophone Cultures, Night Studies, Migration and Diaspora, Gender Space, Place and Landscape, Interculturality, Postcoloniality. View her full profile here.
Dr. P. Gonzalez Gonzalez
Paz Gonzalez Gonzalez is a University Lecturer at the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics. Her research interest includes SLA research, aspect and tense research and language variation. View her full profile here.
Prof. dr. P. Silva
Patricio Silva is a professor of Modern Latin American History at the Institute for History. His fields of interest includes contemporary Latin American history, modern Latin American political and economic development, modernization and social change, democratization and technocracy, public policies and citizenship, civil-military relations, and neoliberalism in Latin America. View his full profile here.
Your degree qualifies you for roles in cultural organisations, education, translation, tourism, publishing, documentation and information processing, development, embassies, ministries of foreign affairs, and semi-governmental and non-profit organisations with a focus on Latin America. You are also well-equipped to pursue a PhD position and a career in academia.
Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (policy advisor)
NGO’s
Fairtrade organisations
Translation agencies
Education
PhD’s in Colombia, Germany, and the United States.
Tim Vergoossen
Graduated in MA Latin American Studies
“I work as a project manager for CNV International, the international branch of th labour union. I manage and monitor current projects and do their financial administration. I also assess new applications and check the evaluation reports, which often brings me into contact with the employees of the labour unions in Latin America, Africa and Asia.”
Straight to Guatemala
“This job is a great fit for my area of study – I’ve been very lucky in that way. I maintain contact with organisations throughout the world and I work a lot with foreign languages: I speak French or Spanish every day. I even got to go to Guatemala straight away, in my first year, partly to visit a union we had been supporting for years.”
Applying knowledge
“The course places a strong focus on politics in Latin America, and I can really apply that knowledge in the work I do. I’m familiar with the political situation in the various countries, and I understand how it came about, which is knowledge you need to improve policy and design efficient strategies that work in Latin American countries. What’s more, there might be a lot that you want to change, but if you don’t know how to approach someone from Latin America or how to communicate on their terms, all your plans will come to nothing.”
In which sector do students find jobs?
The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA in Latin American Studies 2016-2020.
22 %Non-profit (e.g. at an idealistic organisation)
11 %Government and semi-government organisations
11 %Consultancy
11 %Business services
11 %Education
34 %Other
Career preparation
Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
With the skills and knowledge you have gained during the MA in Latin American Studies at Leiden University you will be able to work in a range of professional and academic careers. These include highly sought after skills such as:
Problem solving (recognizing and analyzing problems, solution-oriented thinking)
Creative thinking (resourcefulness, curiosity, thinking out of the box)
Integrity (honesty, moral, ethics, personal values)
Intercultural skills (communications between different cultures)
Do you consider to put your knowledge into practice during your studies? Determine whether an internship could be an option for you. Start orientating your possibilities by visiting an internship information session. This way you can receive information about the internship procedure and listen to tips of former interns.
Notice that you will search for an internship yourself to find a place of your interest. Do you need some help with this or the application process? Do not hesitate to contact the Career Service. When you have found an internship, inform us. Then, the internship coordinator advises you how to proceed and provides your internship plan with feedback so it can be submitted for approval to the board of examiners.
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 Humanities Career Service provide all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV.
The Leiden University Career Zone is an online career portal that helps you to prepare for the job market. Here you can find information, tools and tips to help you gain more personal insight, learn about the job market, develop your application skills, plan your academic and professional career, find job vacancies and discover what the Career Service can do for you.
Join the Mentor Network to contact alumni with experience on the labour market and ask them for advice. More than 1200 alumni are happy to help you!
Jelle on finding an internship via Leiden University's Mentor Network
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To be eligible for Latin American Studies at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.
Diploma requirements
You are eligible to apply for the MA Latin American Studies if you have: A bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in Latin American Studies; or
A bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree; and
comparable knowledge, understanding and skills with those acquired upon graduating from a Dutch research university in Latin American Studies, specifcally:
elementary knowledge and understanding of the most important linguistic, cultural and/or historical developments in Latin America; and
the ability to deal with theories about the chosen research subject and to apply those theories into a concrete case study;
The Board of Admissions will assess whether your degree and background are sufficiently related to the level and content of a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in Latin American Studies on the basis of the requirements specified above.
BA International Studies
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in International Studies who have completed all area courses for Latin America and the programme’s Spanish or Portuguese language classes are regarded to have fulfilled all entry requirements.
Students with a Bachelor of Latin American Studies from Leiden University are directly eligible for admission and can apply in Studielink. There is no need to submit an application for admission using the online application portal.
If you have a bachelor’s degree from a research university that does not meet the requirements specified above, you may be eligible for a pre-master’s programme tailored to your individual background. After submitting your application in Studielink, the Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be directly admitted to the master’s programme, whether you will first need to complete a pre-master’s programme, or whether your deficiencies are considered too extensive and you can therefore not be admitted at all. It is not possible to directly apply for a pre-master’s programme.
The language requirements for a pre-master's programme are identical to the language requirements for the master's programme for which admission has been requested. These requirements must be met before the start of the premaster.
Once you have completed the imposed pre-master’s programme, you will be admitted to the master’s programme. For more information about the individual pre-master’s programme, please contact the Coordinator of Studies.
For students with a bachelor’s degree at a university of applied sciences, equivalent to the level of a Dutch hbo bachelor’s degree, the Board of Admissions may impose a pre-master’s programme, tailored to the individual background of the prospective student, to be completed before admission into the MA programme.
We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator.
TOEFL (Internet based) 100, with a score of at least 25 for each components
We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situations only:
You took the test before 1 Sept 2022 (and it is not more than 2 years old), or you are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
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.
Note that English test results may not be more than two years old.
You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university.
For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.
From September 2024:
The following requirements apply:
IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator.
TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 20 for each separate component.
We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situations only:
You took the test before 1 Sept 2022 (and it is not more than 2 years old), or you are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
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.
Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.
Note that English test results may not be more than two years old.
You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university.
For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.
You must be sufficiently proficient in the language of instruction (to be assessed by the Board of Admissions):
Spanish and/or Portuguese:
Listening: CEFR B2
Reading: CEFR C1
Spoken interaction: CEFR B2
Spoken production: CEFR B2
Writing: CEFR B2
These are the levels of the BA Latin American Studies at Leiden University and other comparable academic degree programmes.
Candidates who have previous knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese (e.g. heritage speakers) will be assessed by the Board of Admissions.
Applicants who need a visa or residence permit or need to extend their residence permit must apply for admission before 1 April.
All other applicants must apply for admission before 15 May.
Starting in February
Applicants who need a visa or residence permit or need to extend their residence permit must apply for admission before 15 October.
All other applicants must apply for admission before 15 November.
Please note: You must submit your application via Studielink and Leiden University’s application system (uSis), before the deadlines mentioned above.
Other deadlines
Leiden University reserves a limited number of rooms each year for international students. However, as the number of housing requests always greatly exceeds the number of rooms available, we strongly recommend that you also look into other housing options at the same time. Read more about how and when to arrange housing. If you want to request accommodation via Leiden University, submit both your application for admission and your housing request well before the deadlines! Accommodation is offered on a first-come first-served basis and is not guaranteed. You don’t have to await admission before requesting housing.
If you want to apply for a scholarship, grant or loan, please bear in mind that different deadlines apply, and these deadlines can often be earlier. Deadlines vary per scholarship. Visit the scholarship website for more details.
When you apply for admission, you’ll be asked to submit several documents.
Note: If you have a Dutch diploma that grants direct admission, you will generally not be asked to submit additional documents.
Required application documents
You’ll need to submit the following documents:
Please upload a copy of the page(s) in your passport containing your personal details and photograph. If you are from the EU/EEA, you can submit a copy of your identity card instead. Please upload copies of both sides.
If you are a non-EU/EEA national already living in the Netherlands, upload copies of both sides of your Dutch residence permit.
Your CV (curriculum vitae) must be written in English and should contain your basic personal data, as well as a clear overview of your educational and professional history to date.
You can apply for admission before receiving the results of your English language test. However, a sufficient result will then be a condition of your eventual admission. Of course, if you already have your English language test results, you can upload them directly.
Digital copies of diplomas and transcripts are initially required. Once you have been admitted, we will inform you how to submit certified copies.
The documents must be in the original language. If they are not in English, Dutch, German or French, they must be accompanied by official translations into one of these languages.
If you have not yet completed your current programme, state your expected graduation date and submit copies of all transcripts obtained to date plus a list of subjects still to be completed.
Additional requirements specific to Latin American Studies
You are required to upload additional information: 1) about your acquired knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of the Master’s programme you are applying for and 2) about your acquired general academic skills. You can upload this format Questionnaire Master Application.
You can check the programme specific requirements regarding knowledge, understanding and skills on the Admission Requirements page.
The format includes the list of general academic skills which the candidate must possess in order to be admitted to the Master’s programme at the Faculty of Humanities.
The application procedure is broken down into three parts.
Part 1. Application in Studielink
All students applying for a degree programme at Leiden University must start the application process in Studielink, the national online registration system for students wishing to follow a degree programme at a Dutch university. Studielink is open for applications from 1 October in the year preceding the academic year in which you wish to start.
1. Go toStudielink and enter your details according to the instructions provided. For this step you will need:
a copy of your valid passport or European ID card, or
Be aware! If you wish to apply for a specialisation of a master's programme: first select the master’s programme in Studielink, then select the specialisation for which you wish to apply in Step 4 (Institutional Questions) in Studielink.
2. Within two days you will receive:
an email with information on the next steps you'll need to take;
your university ULCN student account details (unless, of course, you already have a ULCN account)
the link to Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis)
After receiving your ULCN student account details, log into Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis), using the link provided. Here you can view the status of your application, which will be one of two possibilities.
1. You can be directly admitted
If your (Dutch) diploma grants you direct admission, Leiden University's online application portal (uSis) will let you know. The portal provides an overview of what you have to do to complete your application, for example arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances. Please follow the instructions carefully and proceed to step 3 Student registration.
2. You cannot be directly admitted: additional action is required
If you do not have a (Dutch) diploma that grants you direct admission, we will require additional documents to allow us to decide about your application. The online application portal (uSis) will tell you this and explain how to do so. See also Part 2: Admission to Leiden University.
Part 2. Admission to Leiden University
If you cannot be directly admitted, you must apply for admission via Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis). Please follow all steps below.
In our online application portal (uSis) you can finalise your application by uploading the necessary documents and answering a few questions. This portal provides an overview of what you need to do to complete your admission application. Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure to include all the items that are asked for. We strongly recommend that you complete your application well in advance of the application deadline.
All applicants with an international degree must pay a non-refundable €100 application fee, which entitles you to apply for up to three programmes/specialisations in the same academic year. We cannot start processing your application until we receive this application fee, so please pay it as soon as possible. The online application system explains how you can pay it.
Can I be exempted from paying the application fee? You do not have to pay the application fee if:
You are following, or have completed, a bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university (of applied sciences).
You have previously registered as an exchange, bachelor’s, master’s or pre-master’s student at Leiden University.
You have previously been admitted to the same degree programme at Leiden University, but you decided to postpone your studies. This does not apply if you are applying for a different study programme or specialisation.
You have refugee status in the Netherlands (with a residence permit for asylum).
Exemptions cannot be granted for any other reasons.
After you have submitted your application, the online application portal (uSis) will, if applicable, ask you if you want to apply for student housing, a visa/residence permit or a scholarship. Be sure to make a careful note of the relevant deadlines for these options.
After receiving your application fee payment (if applicable), the Admissions Office will check whether all the necessary documents have been uploaded and they will inform you by email whether any further items are required. The Board of Admissions of the faculty will then:
decide whether you meet the admission requirements for the programme;
strive to issue a decision on your completed application within four to six weeks of the University receiving it.
Once a decision has been reached you will be informed by email. You can view your admission status in the online application portal (uSis).
There are three possible outcomes:
You are admitted
You have met all conditions for admission.
You are conditionally admitted
You will be admitted, provided that you meet certain conditions. These conditions will be specified in the online application portal (uSis).
You are not admitted
The reason(s) for non-admission will be clearly stated in the online application portal (uSis). If you are informed that you have been (conditionally) admitted, you will have to take a number of additional steps.
If you are (conditionally) admitted, the Admissions Office will ask you to confirm whether you will join the study programme. You can do so in the online application portal (uSis).
1. Go to ‘Application study programme’ in the online application portal (uSis).
2. Open the ‘Confirm’ screen. Here you will see three options:
Yes, I want to study at Leiden University.
No, I no longer wish to study at Leiden University and hereby withdraw my application.
Maybe later; I do not wish to start this semester/academic year. I would like to receive further instructions by email.
The sooner the better
Confirm attendance as soon as possible, to avoid missing other important deadlines and information about your study programme.
Changing your mind
You can still change your mind if necessary, either in uSis or by contacting the Admissions Office master team.
Deadline final decision
Do you need a student visa or residence permit? You can only request one after confirming attendance. So make sure to confirm attendance before the visa/residence permit deadline.
If you don’t need a visa or residence permit, the latest deadline for confirming attendance is before the start date of your study programme.
Part 3. Student registration
If you’ve been (conditionally) admitted, follow these steps to register as a student at Leiden University:
Check in the online application portal (uSis) whether you need to submit any documents to meet the conditions of your admission. Instructions on how to do so will be provided in uSis.
Arrange the payment of your tuition fee before the official start date of your programme. You will receive instructions and information on the available payment methods by email.
If you are an international student, go to the Prepare your stay page of our website for information about the practical matters you should take care of before and upon arrival. These include, for example, arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances.
The tuition fees for the academic year 2023-2024 are:
Dutch, EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students: €2,314 per year
Non-EU/EEA students €19,300 per year
Second Dutch master’s programme: €15,400 per year
The tuition fees for the academic year 2024-2025 are:
Dutch, EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students: €2,530 per year
Non-EU/EEA students €20,900 per year
Second Dutch master’s programme: €16,300 per year
More information about tuition fees
The tuition fee for this programme is €2,314 for the academic year 2023-2024 (statutory fee) and €2,530 for the academic year 2024-2025 (statutory fee).
This tuition fee applies if this is your first master’s programme and you are a national of one of the following countries:
Austria
Latvia
Belgium
Liechtenstein
Bulgaria
Lithuania
Croatia
Luxembourg
Cyprus
Malta
Czech Republic
Norway
Denmark
Poland
Estonia
Portugal
Finland
Romania
France
Slovakia
Germany
Slovenia
Greece
Spain
Hungary
Suriname
Iceland
Sweden
Ireland
Switzerland
Italy
The fee applies for both full-time and part-time study.
The tuition fee for this programme is €19,300 for the academic year 2023-2024 (institutional tuition fee) and €20,900 for the academic year 2024-2025 (institutional tuition fee).
If you are not a national of an EEA country, Suriname or Switzerland, generally speaking you will have to pay an institutional tuition fee. This fee applies for both full-time and part-time study.
However, if, on the basis of your Dutch residence permit, you are eligible for student finance from the Dutch education agency (DUO) you are entitled to pay the statutory tuition fee. Information on qualifying residence permits can be found in the DUO nationality chart.
Only applicable to EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese nationals.
The tuition fee for this programme is €15,400 for the academic year 2023-2024 (institutional tuition fee) and €16,300 for the academic year 2024-2025 (institutional tuition fee).
If you are following a second Dutch master’s programme you will generally have to pay an institutional tuition fee that is higher than the statutory tuition fee. Some exceptions apply.
Tuition fee if the pre-master's or conversion programme has less than 60 study credits (EC)
2023-2024
2024-2025
€39,- per EC
€42,- per EC
If the pre-master's or conversion programme has 60 study credits or more, you pay the statutory tuition fee of that college year.
Scholarships, grants and loans
Leiden University offers a wide range of scholarships for students from specific regions of the world, or for specific programmes. Leiden University also offers the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS), a programme specifically designed for non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a master’s programme. Find out more about scholarships, grants, loans and deadlines
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national and under 30, you may be eligible for a loan from the Dutch government to cover your tuition fees.
Prepare for your studies
You’ve been accepted! Leiden University looks forward to welcoming you as a new student. Your next step is to prepare for your studies. Below you can find some tips to help you get a head start as you embark on your studies at Leiden University.
For international students
If you are an international student, a wealth of information can be found on the ‘Prepare your stay’ page of our website. This includes information about visas, housing, financial matters, what to arrange upon arrival, and much more.
For Dutch students
The ‘student website’ page on Leiden University’s student website contains information about practical aspects, introduction weeks and student associations. It’s also a handy source of study-related information and advice.
For detailed information about courses, schedules and reading materials, check out the Prospectus.
Sign up for the introduction week in Leiden (OWL) or The Hague (HOP)! It’s the best way to get acquainted with student life and the student cities of Leiden and The Hague.
Your student card is your proof of registration as a student of Leiden University. You can find your digital student card in the Leiden University app three days after your student registration is finalised. Read more about your student card here.
As soon as you receive notification that your student registration has been finalised you should apply for a Leiden University ID card, or LU-Card. It also serves as your library card, print & copy card and access pass. Read more about applying for an LU-card here.
Student life
Your time at Leiden is about more than just studying. Some of your best experiences will stem from being a part of our lively and diverse student community, as well as from life in the beautiful city of Leiden.
Welcome and orientation programme
In August and February each year, Leiden University hosts the English-language Orientation Week Leiden (OWL), which welcomes both international and Dutch students. The OWL is an excellent way to get to know Leiden University, the city, and other students.
Life in Leiden
Picturesque and the perfect size, Leiden is the ideal place to spend your university days. The Faculty of Humanities is located within the heart of the city, where dozens of cafes, shops and bars line its historic laneways and leafy canals. Small enough to run into familiar faces, but big enough to keep offering surprises – you will treasure your time at Leiden. And for adventures further afield, the major cities of The Hague and Amsterdam are a short train ride away, along with Schiphol Airport, which is just half an hour away by train.
Our study and student associations organise a huge variety of social, cultural, and study events to keep you busy all year round. You can also join the University Sports Centre, which offers scheduled group sports and fitness classes, amongst other activities.
The study association related to Latin American Studies is Interlatina.
International Student Associations
Leiden has several student organisations that specifically cater for international students. These associations organise regular social events and activities that help create the strong sense of community that exists within our international student body. The main two organisations are:
Erasmus Student Network Leiden (ESN) ESN Leiden is an international student organisation which hosts a range of activities and programmes. They also have a buddy programme which provides new students with the right support to assimilate into Leiden and the university.
AEGEE Leiden AEGEE is a leading European student association with sister organisations in over 40 countries across Europe. AEGEE organises many activities in Leiden, from dinners and pool nights to boat trips and guest lectures.
The Humanities Master’s Buddy Programme has been set up by the Faculty of Humanities to help all students who are new to the university to integrate quickly and easily into university life. You will be matched to a buddy who can help you out with your academic and practical questions. Additionally you will be able to attend fun monthly activities and make friends from all over the world.
Get to know us through our online and in-person events for prospective students!
Two speakers at the open day
Are you thinking about joining this Master's programme, and want to determine if it will be the right fit for you? Below, you can browse the events that we have coming up, and sign up to experience Leiden University and the programme for yourself. Alternatively, take a look at the Master Talks videos to find out more about the programme or check out our virtual campus tours!
Upcoming events
Master's Open Days
The next Master's Open Day will take place on 16 February 2024. You can also still watch the recordings of all the presentations from the last Online Open Days. The videos can be found on the Master Talks page.
Master Talks: Programme videos
On the Master Talks: programme videos platform you can find videos for each master’s programme. This includes a video which gives a short introduction to the programme. You can also find the recording of the Master's Online Open Days of 5-6 October and watch the programme presentation on the platform.
Get to know the campus
Check out our virtual campus tours, filmed in 360 degrees – by dragging the video, you can look around at the surroundings yourself. Below is the video recorded at the Humanities faculty, where most of your lectures will take place; you can also view other 360 campus tours of the various university faculties here.
360 Campus tour: the Humanities faculty
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Questions about the application procedure, tuition fees and scholarships
Student Affairs Front Office
Phone: +31 (0)71 527 80 11
Email: Contact form
Or visit their website
Visiting address
Leiden: Plexus Student Centre
Kaiserstraat 25, ground floor
2311 GN Leiden
Monday to Friday between 11.00 and 16.00, Tuesday between 11.00 and 17.30.
