Middle Eastern Studies (MA)
Leiden University’s master’s in Middle Eastern Studies programme is a one-year, full-time master’s programme that is taught completely in English. It deals with a wealth of fascinating, inspirational and highly relevant topics. Two starting dates are possible: in September and in February.
Why study Middle Eastern Studies at Leiden University?
The master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies can help turn you into an authority on what has been for many years - and will continue to be for the foreseeable future - a region of constant political, ethnic and religious upheaval. Learning from renowned, internationally respected academics, you will delve into a wide range of relevant and contemporary topics. These can include the history, cultures and languages of Turkey, Persia and Israel, about Islam and all things Arabic, as well as international relations and the political economy of the Middle East.
Learn more about the study programme
Some of the many good reasons to choose this programme
- This is a highly flexible programme that allows you to focus on your own specific area of interest.
- Leiden University has one of the largest Middle Eastern Studies research and teaching faculties in Europe.
- The work of our teaching faculty and researchers is widely respected all over the world.
- Thanks to our partnership network we can offer you the opportunity to study at a university in the Middle East and immerse yourself in your chosen language and culture.
Middle Eastern Studies: the right master’s programme for you?
This programme is definitely for you if want to work in career that requires specialist language or cultural knowledge of the Middle East. Careers such as the diplomatic service, immigration and naturalisation and NGOs involved in development cooperation projects.
Find out more about the career prospects
Middle Eastern Studies Degree
Middle Eastern Studies at Leiden University is an accredited degree programme. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies and the title Master of Arts (MA).
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A brand new Arabic wall poem thanks to the celebration of 400 years Arabic in Leiden. -
How did the Arabs manage to maintain an empire based on Islamic principles for three hundred years? Arab expert Petra Sijpesteijn and her team will be examining this question over the coming five years, focusing on the correspondence of ordinary people. The research is being funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant -
Arabic chocolate letter in Dutch shop © Saskia Tielens -
The Persian Empire (539-330 BCE) was the first world empire in history. At its height, it united a territory stretching from present-day India to Libya - and it would take 2,000 years before significantly larger empires emerged in early modern Eurasia. What explains its success? For the very first time, thousands of cuneiform texts will be brought together and incorporated in an online database. -
Turkic nomadic rulers established large empires in the Middle East and Asia between the 11th and 14th centuries. Leiden University researchers will explore the link between their political ideology and the production of art and literature, via the cultural heritage of five cities along the Silk Road: Kashgar, Samarkand, Ghazna, Tabriz and Konya.