Develop your knowledge of French and Francophone literary works and genres with the Master’s programme in French Literature and Culture at Leiden University.
Why study French Literature and Culture at Leiden University?
The specialisation in French Literature and Culture gives you access to excellent teaching and resources. The expansive curriculum spanning the Middle Ages to the present day allows you to pursue your personal area of interest. The programme offers courses in the ‘traditional’ canon of French literature, but also goes beyond it, focusing on francophone literature from origins as diverse as the Caribbean and the Maghreb.
Moreover, since all classes are taught in French, you will greatly improve your fluency in oral and written French. This can be of great benefit if you decide to pursue a career in the francophone sphere.
This Master's prepares you for a wide range of positions related to your expertise on French language and culture. Our graduates work at different types of organisations, such as education, communication and marketing, government, financial institutions and media. Jobs include teacher, content marketeer, copy writer and editor.
Is French Literature and Culture the programme for you?
Do you want to explore everything that francophone literature has to offer? And greatly improve your oral and written French? Then French Literature and Culture 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.
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.
Video: Our experts on Languages and Cultures explain
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Leiden University offers students a rich environment in which to reach their potential.
Reach a high level in French language
Our approach to learning at Leiden University is focused on the individual and their unique profile. All courses are taught in French, in small-sized classes. This gives you the opportunity to greatly improve your research skills.
The right location to study Literary Studies
This year The Times Higher Education Supplement ranked Leiden University 21st in the world for the study of Arts and Humanities. Leiden University's Faculty of Humanities is consistently ranked among the top 30 Humanities faculties worldwide in the THE World University Ranking. At Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands, you can access the best teaching staff, the very latest research, and a wealth of resources found nowhere else in the world. With Leiden’s world famous collections of original manuscripts and periodicals, you have the literary world at your fingertips.
Our expertise
The scholars teaching this Master’s programme are experts in their respective research fields and integrate their research in their tuition. They form an integral part of the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS), a leading European centre for research and teaching in languages, literature, art and culture.
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The Humanities Hub in Leiden houses some great facilities to support your studies—like the AI Lab, Digital Lab, MediaLab, Translation Lab, Journalism Lab, Editorial Room, podcast studio, and film studio. Whether you're into AI, media, or storytelling, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to build hands-on skills. Best of all, these are exactly the kind of skills that stand out on the job market after you graduate. Want to find out more? Take a look here!
Preparing your career
Our reputation means that your qualification is respected by organisations worldwide. Our graduates enjoy successful careers thanks to their broad and global mind-set, specialised and in-depth knowledge, and strong critical-thinking skills.
Diversity and inclusion
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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Learn the newest insights from established scholars.
Programme structure
The master's programme in French Literature and Culture spans two semesters. We cover a wide range of topics literary and cultural, from which you may freely tailor your own programme. This programme consists of four courses and an MA thesis:
Courses 1 and 2: Any two courses from the French Literature and Culture programme;
Course 3: Any course offered in the French Literature and Culture programme; or any other course offered in the MA in Literary Studies;
Course 4: Any course offered in the French Literature and Culture programme; or any other course within the MA in Literary Studies; or a course on a literary subject taught in another MA; or a course offered in the MA in Linguistics: French Language and Linguistics; or a course offered via Masterlanguage (do note that Masterlanguage courses are 5 or 6 EC instead of 10).
Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may differ slightly.
The Combined Literary Studies and Linguistics programme
We also offer a combined programme of Literary Studies/French courses and Linguistics/French courses:
Two courses (20 EC): MA Literary Studies/French
Two courses (20 EC): MA Linguistics/French
MA thesis Literary Studies/French (20 EC)
This programme is particularly recommended if you plan to apply for the Educational Master afterwards.
Cultural courses
In collaboration with the master’s programme in French Language and Linguistics, courses are offered on issues in French cultural and linguistic politics and on interdisciplinary issues such as plurilingualism, diglossia, “verlan” and creole languages, where the study of literature and linguistics comes together.
Broaden your horizon
In order to broaden your horizon, you may choose one course among the many courses offered by other tracks of the master in Literary Studies or from the MA in Cultural Analysis: Literature and Theory.
Annelies Schulte Nordholt
Researcher and University Lecturer
“The MA in French Literature and Culture at Leiden gives you great freedom to choose the direction of your studies. Focus your studies on the period of Medieval, Early Modern literature or modern and contemporary literature and more. You can even combine French literature courses with French linguistics courses. The programme is taught largely in French, and boasts one of the highest language levels in the Netherlands.”
Feedback
"Detailed feedback from teachers on your written and oral work is the first step towards learning how to critique and evaluate ideas and theories. The next step is learning how to critically comment on, and correct, your own work and that of others."
Memory of World War II
"My personal research interest is primarily within three fields: French post-war literary texts and the memory of the Holocaust and World War II; the representation of urban space and city life in French modern and contemporary literary texts; and theories of literary creativity in modern French thought."
Is French Literature and Culture the programme for you?
Check the admission requirements to find out if you are eligible for this Master's programme
You can follow all Literary Studies tracks both full-time and part-time. Please note that the part-time study mode does not offer any evening classes.
Research and academic rigour
All of our teaching staff are internationally active scholars. We regularly update our courses to reflect contemporary academic debates and the very latest insights – many from the research conducted by lecturers on the programme. The academically rigorous design of the programme enables you to develop essential skills in academic writing, critical thinking, and independent, high-quality academic research, culminating in your master's thesis.
Extracurricular
Get the most out of your studies at Leiden University by taking part in our extracurricular activities.
Community-building
Throughout the year, the programme hosts events that connect students, alumni, and staff. These include:
Career talks with alumni
Internship information sessions
Cultural and social activities organised by student associations
Masterlanguage Courses
As a literature student, you can take part in Masterlanguage—a national network offering advanced courses in German, English, French, Italian, Classics, and Dutch literature and culture. Courses are taught in the target language and held at universities across the Netherlands.
Leiden Leadership Programme
If you’re interested in developing your leadership potential, the Leiden Leadership Programme offers training sessions, seminars, and a Personal Leadership Roadmap to help you grow.
Study at the Academy of Creative and Performing Arts
The Academy of the Creative and Performing Arts (ACPA) is a research institute and part of the Faculty of Humanities. The ACPA offers education such as electives, and talent programmes such as the Practicum Artium (PA), which gives you the opportunity to study photography, graphic design or drawing, and the Practicum Musicae at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, where you can study classical music, singing, early music or jazz. Find out more about ACPA.
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Alisa van de Haar is Assistant Professor in historical French Literature. Her research focuses on the multilingual situation in the early modern Low Countries, relations between French and Dutch literature, language and migration, and historical language education. View her full profile here.
Dr. K.A. Murchison
Krista A. Murchison researches and teaches late medieval English and French literature at Leiden University. Her research seeks answers to longstanding questions about medieval books and their readers by using some of the quantitative and digital methods that are typically reserved for the “hard” sciences. View her full profile here.
Dr. A.E. Schulte Nordholt
Annelies Schulte Nordholt is a University Lecturer at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society. Her most recent book, Georges Perec et ses lieux de mémoire is on Perec’s experimental work ‘Lieux’, a multimedia project archiving his personal sites of memory through writing and photography. View her full profile here.
Dr. C.V. Zaepffel
Céline Zaepffel is a lecturer at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society. With an interdisciplinary approach, she analyses the relationship between texts and images in different fable books from 1500 to 2010, but also its paratexts in order to understand the project and choices of fable books' authors, illustrators and editors and their place into French pedagogy. View her full page here.
Dr. E.M.A.F.M. Radar
Emmanuelle Radar is Assistant Professor in contemporary French and Francophone literature(s) and culture(s) (20th-21st c.) at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society. View her full page here.
The master’s programme in French Literature and Culture prepares you for a wide range of positions. Our graduates can be found working in a great number of professions requiring specialist linguistic or communication skills.
Our alumni find work in positions such as:
French teacher in a secondary school
French teacher in professional higher education
Literary translator
Business translator
Editorial secretary & editor at a publishing house
PhD candidate at a Dutch or foreign university
Publishing assistant at a publishing house
Marketing and communications officer at a telecom company
Policy advisor at a Dutch university
Foreign rights manager at a publishing house
Journalist at a press company
Teacher qualification
If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can apply for the Dutch-taught teacher-training MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education after graduating from the master’s programme. To be admitted, you need to have a master’s degree in the relevant discipline. Fluency in Dutch is mandatory, and additional entry requirements may apply. Please visit the ICLON websiteto learn more about the different teacher training programmes at ICLON.
Two-Year Educational Masters
You start this degree directly after completing your bachelor degree in French Language and Culture.
It is possible to enrol following many different degrees, although you might have to complete a pre-master first.
You combine the Master in French with the Teaching Master. You will be challenged to draw connections between the courses at the Faculty of Humanities, and your teaching practice.
You follow courses within different fields of French Language and Culture (both linguistics and literature).
Over the course of the two-year degree, you will intern at two different secondary schools. This way, you get acquainted with different types of education.
You follow the courses of the Teaching Master in Dutch.
Master French + Master Leraar VHO
You must first complete the Master in French. After that, you can enrol in the Master Leraar VHO.
You start with the master in French after you have completed a bachelor degree in (or connected to) French Language and Culture; you might have to complete a pre-master first.
First, you follow the Master in French, in which you specialise further in a specific field. Then, you focus on learning how to teach within ICLON’s teacher education programme.
You specialise in one specific field of French Language and Culture.
During the Master Leraar VHO, you will intern for one year at one secondary school.
It is possible to combine the Master Leraar VHO with the World Teachers Programme (WTP), a bilingual (Dutch-English) profile.
Sannerien van Aerts
Graduated in MA French Language and Linguistics (MA Linguistics) and MA French Literature and Culture (MA Literary Studies)
"After my graduation, I started working at the administration of the Alliance Française de La Haye (first as secretary, now at the finance department), which turned out to be a perfect first job. It gives me several opportunities for my career: not only am I able to improve my French and to develop my professional competences, but also it gives me the possibility to get involved in the 'French scene' through cultural activities with other Francophone partners, such as institutions, embassies and cultural organizations."
Knowing a language opens many doors
"I regarded the masters as a means to improve my linguistic skills in order for French to become my speciality. Knowing a language opens many doors to different countries, cultures and people and an international environment has always interested me. In the future, I hope to remain working in an international context while organizing all kinds of (cultural) events."
Laura den Boer
Graduated in French Literature and Culture (MA Literary Studies)
"I very much enjoyed doing the Master’s in French Literature and Culture of the Literary Studies degree programme. I chose this master’s because the selection of subjects on offer appealed to me enormously."
Personal
"I took the master’s together with a small group of students, which encouraged me to take an active role in the tutorial discussions. Taking part in the discussions helped to improve my French oral skills, as well as giving me personal contact with the teachers."
A teaching position
"After my master’s I am going to work in Lille for 6 months, where I will be a language assistant in a secondary school, helping French pupils with their Dutch. After those 6 months I plan to do the Educational Master’s in French Literature and Culture, which will afterwards hopefully provide me with a teaching position in a Dutch secondary school, in which I will be able to apply the knowledge I have gained during my French studies. In all, the degree programme at Leiden has given me a superb grounding for a job in education, because studying the many and varied subjects allowed me to acquire interesting and in-depth knowledge."
The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA Literary Studies 2020 through 2024.
In which sector do students find jobs?
39 %Education
10 %Communication and marketing
6 %Financial institutions
6 %Publishing
4 %Consultancy
4 %Wholesale and retail
4 %Media and journalism
4 %Research
2 %Healthcare and wellbeing
2 %IT
Career preparation
Find out how this programme prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
Knowledge and skills
A unique strength on the job market
The Master's programme in Literary Studies at Leiden University equips you with a range of 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. Other skills you may encounter in the various Literary Studies courses are:
Analysis
Oral and written communication
Research
Intercultural skills
Creative thinking
Internships
You have the opportunity to do an internship at an organisation in the Netherlands or abroad. Internships are a great way to gain first-hand experience in your area of interest and deepen your expertise. Organisations that our students have interned at include:
Royal Library The Hague, Koopman Collection
Dutch Embassy in Paris
Royal Brill Editions
Please note that you will need to find your own internship and have to follow an internship procedure for approval. Pursuing an internship may have consequences for the date of your graduation.
Literary Studies Career Colloquium
The Literary Studies Career Colloquium enables you to actively prepare your future career by providing you with information and inspiration. This programme, specially tailored for Literary Studies students, consists of a series of meetings over the year on your personal profile, academic and practical skills.
Humanities Career Service
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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 the Humanities Career Service provides all Leiden University Humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. The Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV. Check our video and hear from our alumni how they have benefited from our services!
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.
Ask Alumni: Leiden University Mentor Network
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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Find out how to apply for French Literature and Culture at Leiden University by following our step-by step guide.
This specialisation is part of the MA in Literary Studies. If you would like to apply to this programme please first select the MA Literary Studies (CROHO code: 60813) in Studielink and then select French Literature and Culture.
Step-by step guide
This guide clearly explains the steps you need to take to apply, and the subsequent admission process.
To be eligible for French Literature and Culture at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.
Diploma requirements
General requirements
You are eligible to apply for the MA Literary Studies: French if you have:
A bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in French Language and Culture, Romaanse Talen en Culturen: Franse taal en cultuur or European Languages and Cultures: French.; or
A bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree, with:
Active (writing, speaking) and passive (reading, listening) proficiency in French at the final level of the degrees referred to in the first bullet point; and
At least 40 EC of courses in French Literature and Culture; and
Demonstrable knowledge of and insight into the connections with French-speaking regions elsewhere in the world (so-called Francophonie); and
Demonstrable knowledge of and insight into the historical development of French literature (Middle Ages, Early Modern, and Modern); and
Substantial literary research skills, demonstrated in a BA thesis and/or substantial research papers written as part of a BA programme.
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 French Language and Culture on the basis of the requirements specified above.
Students with a Bachelor in French Language and Culture from Leiden University are directly eligible for admission. Students can apply in Studielink. There is no need to submit an application for admission using the online application portal.
Pre-master’s programme
If you have a bachelor’s degree from a research university that does not meet the requirements specified above, you may be eligible for the 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 or whether you will first need to complete a pre-master’s programme. It is not possible to apply for a pre-master’s programme directly. Once you have completed the imposed pre-master programme, you will be admitted to the master’s programme. For more information about the individual pre-master’s programme, please read more here.
Bachelor’s degree of a university of applied sciences (hbo)
If you have a Bachelor’s degree in French from a university of applied sciences, equivalent to the level of a Dutch hbo bachelor’s degree (i.e. lower secondary education teaching qualification, or tweedegraads), the Board of Admissions may impose the 60 EC pre-master’s programme. Read more about the pre-master’s programme.
Language requirements
English language proficiency
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, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 4.0 (new 1-6 scale as of 21 January 2026) or 20 (old 0-30 scale) for each separate component.
We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only:
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 and must be obtained in one single test.
* New TOEFL grading scale 2026 In January 2026, TOEFL introduced a new grading scale. Test certificates issued in 2026 and 2027 will show overall scores in both the old grading scale (0-120) and the new grading scale (1-6). Component or band scores will only be shown in the new grading scale.
Leiden University’s 2026-2027 overall score requirements will continue to be based on the old grading scale. If you took your test on or after 21 January 2026, you must meet the overall score requirement shown on our website in the old grading scale (0-120), and the component score requirements shown on our website in the new grading scale (1-6).
*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 degree at a Dutch research university or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.
For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.
Proficiency in other languages
French at level CEFR C1, as evidenced by an appropriate test (DALF C1 with a C1 score for each of the subtests).
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.
Apply early!
We advise you to apply as soon as possible. The earlier you apply, the more time there is for us to help you if your application file is not complete. If you do not have a Dutch diploma that grants direct admission or you need to meet additional admission criteria, you’ll have to complete a two-part application procedure:
First register your application(s) in the national system Studielink.
A day later you will receive log-in details for Leiden University’s application system (uSis), where you can complete your application.
You must submit your application via Leiden University’s application system (uSis), before the deadlines mentioned above. So don’t delay; if you haven’t registered in Studielink and activated your uSis account in time to apply by the deadline, you’ll miss out!
Other deadlines
Housing 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.
Scholarship deadlines
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:
Language proficiency (if applicable)
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.
Copies of diplomas and transcripts
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 documents specific to French Literature and Culture
Questionnaire Master Application
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.
Apply in Studielink
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)
Directly admitted?
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.
Submit your online application
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.
Pay the application fee (if applicable)
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.
Other things to arrange
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.
Your application will be assessed
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.
Receiving the decision
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.
Confirm attendance
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:
Meet all conditions
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
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.
Practical matters for international students
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 pre-master's is a bridging programme for students who have applied for the MA Literary Studies but who, according to the Board of Admissions, still have deficiencies in their educational background. Once you have completed the pre-master’s programme, you will be admitted to the relevant specialization of the Master’s programme.
Diploma requirements
students with a relevant bachelor’s degree from a research university abroad, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree who do not fulfill the admission requirements as specified for the master’s programme.
students with a Bachelor’s degree in French from a university of applied sciences, equivalent to the level of a Dutch hbo bachelor’s degree (i.e. lower secondary education teaching qualification, or tweedegraads).
Applicants with a Dutch university of applied sciences bachelor’s degree (HBO) or those with a comparable degree, can expect, if considered eligible, to be assigned the full 60 EC pre-master programme.
English language requirements
The English 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 pre-master.
Application procedure pre-master programme
In order to apply for the pre-master programme, you must first apply for the master’s programme.
After submitting your application for the master programme 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 if you’re not eligible for either programme because the deficiencies are too extensive.
Students who have been offered a pre-master programme, will find the procedure for the registration into the pre-master programme stated on their admission statement.
Start date
This pre-master offers 2 intakes: September and February. It is advised to start the 60 EC pre-master in September.
More information
For more information on the content of the pre-master programme, see the Prospectus. Search for “Literary Studies French Literature pre-master ”. The programme prospectus of the pre-master has a yearly update for the upcoming academic year in June.
The tuition fee for this programme is €2,694 for the academic year 2026-2027 (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.
Other nationalities
The tuition fee for this programme is €22,300 for the academic year 2026-2027 (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 at the DUO website.
Second Dutch master’s programme
Only applicable to EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese nationals.
The tuition fee for this programme is €17,200 for the academic year 2026-2027 (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.
Exceptions
In some cases, nationals of EEA countries, Suriname or Switzerland may be permitted to pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee for their second degree programme.
Legal transitional arrangement for second bachelor's or master's degree: student pays the statutory tuition fee when:
Student has already obtained a bachelor's or master's degree but is starting a programme in the field of education or healthcare for the first time.
The student has already started a second bachelor's or master's programme before the first programme was completed and remains registered for it uninterruptedly.
Institutional transitional arrangement for a second bachelor's or master's degree: student pays the institutional tuition fee equal to the statutory rate) when:
Student has already obtained a bachelor's or master's degree, but is starting a teacher training programme.
After completing a bachelor's or master's degree at Leiden University, a student will subsequently start a second programme (in academic years).
Are you unsure which tuition fee applies to you? Consult our Tuition Fee Calculator.
Pre-master or conversion programmes
Tuition fee if the pre-master's or conversion programme has less than 60 study credits (EC)
2026-2027
€44,90 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
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.
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
Student website
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.
Introduction programme
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.
Digital student card
Three days after you receive a digital proof of enrolment, you will get access to your digital student card. You will receive the proof of enrolment by email, so make sure to check your inbox. You can find your digital student card in the Universiteit Leiden app. Read more about your student card here.
LU-Card
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.
The study association related to French Literature and Culture is Gibalaux. You may contact the study association via gibalaux@let.leidenuniv.nl.
Humanities Master’s Buddy Programme
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.
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.
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.
Information activities
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
Master's Open Days
During the Master's Open Days you’ll have the opportunity to learn all about Leiden University’s master's programmes. Attend presentations about your chosen programme(s) or practical matters such as admissions and housing. Get real insight into the content of your preferred master's, along with the career opportunities it will bring.
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 previous Master's Online Open Days 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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