Film and Photographic Studies (MA)
Career prospects
Where do our graduates work?
This master's programme gives you a sound basis of knowledge, skills and insights into the theory and practice of film and photography. You will be qualified to perform at a high level in a range of professions, such as a film and photo historian, curator, critic, picture editor or independent exhibition producer.
Some of the positions of our alumni include:
- Programmer of a film festival
- Assistant curator
- Photography editor at a photography magazine
- Co-ordinator of photo editing and editor at a press office
- Desk editor at an academic publishing house
- Project officer for digital education at a Dutch university
- Freelance photographer and curator
- Freelance photo editor, researcher and producer
- Project manager for graphics and communications at a media company
- Freelance (image/video) editor
- Freelance image editor at a commercial television station
- Creative director at a photography festival foundation
- Owner of a company producing films and videos
Nick Hortensius
Graduated in Film and Photographic Studies (MA Media Studies) and Philosophy of Humanities (MA Philosophy)
"During my MA Film and Photographic Studies I started volunteering for the Leiden International Film Festival. Fueled by my newly gained insights during my studies I was eager to develop my own initiatives, and after finishing my second master Philosophy of Humanities (with a focus on philosophy and film) I founded an educational platform that teaches film history, literacy and filmmaking skills to high school students."
Critical eye
"I've always had an affinity for teaching, and the skills and knowledge I acquired during my studies helped me start up my professional career. I now also work as head of programming for the film festival and am still using my critical eye and the curating skills I developed during my studies."
The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA Media Studies - Film and Photographic Studies 2016-2020.
In which sector do students find jobs?
- 23 % Culture, sports and recreation
- 23 % Communication and marketing
- 15 % Education
- 8 % IT
- 8 % Government and semi-government organisations
- 23 % Other
Career preparation
Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
The master’s programme in Film and Photographic Studies at Leiden University aims to equip you with a range of important skills and knowledge that will help you thrive in your future career. Your specialised expertise is complemented by vocational skills and the ability to apply multidisciplinary, critical-thinking skills to solve even the most complex conceptual problems.
Staff at the Film and Photographic Studies programme take an active role in connecting you with professionals at various organisations for example for internships. In recent years students from the master’s programme in Film and Photographic Studies have been doing internships at the following organisations:
- International Center of Photography in New York;
- Victoria & Albert Museum in London;
- Museum voor Fotografie in Rotterdam;
- WIELS Contemporary Art Center in Brussels.
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 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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