Literary Studies (MA)
The MA Literary Studies at Leiden University offers you a specialised qualification in one of four languages and cultures, or a comparative perspective on literature and society. You can tailor your degree to match your interests and ambitions, with options to combine majors, take electives across specialisations, study abroad, or pursue an internship.
Specialisations
Why study Literary Studies at Leiden University?
As a student of Literary Studies, you’ll benefit from the expertise of internationally renowned scholars at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS). You’ll develop a critical and investigative mindset that prepares you to tackle complex challenges in any professional role.
The programme gives you the freedom to customise your curriculum. You can combine majors, take electives from other programmes, study abroad, or do an internship to deepen your focus. This year The Times Higher Education Supplement ranked Leiden University 21st in the world for the study of Arts and Humanities.
Learn more about the study programme
Choose your specialisation
You can specialise in one of the following tracks:
- English Literature and Culture
- French Literature and Culture
- German Literature and Culture
- Italian Literature and Culture
- Literature in Society: Europe and Beyond
What are your career prospects?
This Master's prepares you to become an expert at your respective language and its culture. Our graduates work at different types of organisations, such as education, communication and marketing, government and cultural institutions. Jobs include language teacher, author, content marketeer and speech writer.
Find out more about your career prospects
Is Literary Studies the programme for you?
Do you want to become an expert on language and culture? Or do you want to study literature and culture from a comparative perspective? Then Literary Studies 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
A centre of expertise on languages and cultures of the world
If you’re interested in languages and cultures, Leiden University is the best place to study. The university’s global expertise places our programmes at the top. In Leiden and The Hague, we study languages and cultures from all regions of the world and from prehistory to the present day. In this way, we create a broad view of the world; the key to mutual understanding.
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