Book and Digital Media Studies (MA)
Career prospects
Graduates of Book and Digital Media Studies have a strong foundation in the history, theory, and practice of textual media—manuscript, print, and digital. They pursue careers in publishing, libraries, cultural heritage, and academia.
Alumni roles include:
- Account manager at a publishing house
- Project officer in cultural heritage
- PhD candidate in the UK
- Editor, curator, librarian
- Application developer at Leiden University Libraries
- Communications officer at a multinational publisher
Giulio Menna
Graduated in Book and Digital Media Studies
"After I graduated in Graphic & Multimedia Design at La Sapienza in Rome I started working at a small, local publishing house. Yet soon realized that I was not done with studying, and I wanted a challenge: “to graduate abroad!”. Book and Digital Media studies was the obvious choice: an MA programme taught in English that blended the theoretical and practical nature of today’s book world. I now use the skills gained on the programme in my role as application manager and developer at Leiden University Libraries: I make sure that students and researchers can find and access the wealth of knowledge stored at our Library, while at the same time developing open-source applications to allow for new discoveries."
The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA Media Studies - Book and Digital Media Studies 2020 through 2024.
In which sector do students find jobs?
- 27 % Publishing and book industry
- 20 % Art and culture
- 13 % IT
- 13 % Media and journalism
- 7 % Non-profit organisations
- 7 % Government and semi-government organisations
- 7 % Information management
- 7 % Education
Career preparation
Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
Launch your career with a master’s degree
Continuing your studies after your bachelor's degree pays off. Graduates with a master's degree are more likely to find higher-level positions: 77% start at a university of applied sciences (hbo) or university level, compared to 63% of graduates who only hold a bachelor's degree. This difference remains visible in the long term. After more than two years of work experience, 87% of master's alumni work at a university of applied sciences or university level, compared to 76% of bachelor's alumni.
A unique strength on the job market
As a Humanities graduate, you have developed talents that are in high demand on the job market. Intercultural skills, written communication, and social awareness are qualities that clearly distinguish Humanities graduates on the job market. Your ability to think analytically and creatively also gives you an edge.
The programme actively connects students with professionals for internships and entry-level jobs. Past internships include Brill, Elsevier, Boom, the National Library, university libraries, museums, and heritage institutions.
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. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV.
The Humanities Career Service offers you various (online) workshops, webinars and info sessions. Check our overview of career activities.
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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