Middle Eastern Studies (MA)

Why study Middle Eastern Studies at Leiden University

Middle Eastern Studies at Leiden University distinguishes itself from similar programmes through its disciplinary breadth and historical depth, through its wide range of research-based electives, and through its flexibility, which enables students to tailor their individual programmes to their interests. You will be able to explore topics across the humanities and social sciences, including modern and premodern history, politics, international relations, religion, anthropology, literature, and philology. It is also possible to train your language skills and take courses in Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Hebrew, Turkish and Persian (Farsi). All courses are taught in English by internationally respected scholars.

Leiden University's Middle Eastern Studies research and teaching faculties is one of the largest in Europe; and the university's Faculty of Humanities is consistently ranked among the top humanities faculties worldwide in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking.

Learn more about the study programme

Research institutes we work with

The programme is well connected with excellent research institutes in Leiden and elsewhere in the Netherlands, including:

• The Leiden University Library and the dedicated Middle Eastern Library, which hosts a vast collection of source materials from and about the Middle East.
• The Netherlands Institute for the Near East (NINO), a national research centre and library.
• The Netherlands Interuniversity School for Islamic Studies (NISIS), which organises seasonal schools, network days and other educational activities on themes that are fundamental to the study of Islam and Muslim societies.

Study abroad & internships

As a student of Middle Eastern Studies, you will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutes in Cairo, Rabat, or Istanbul, where you can immerse yourself in the language and culture of the region. The programme also supports extracurricular internships at organisations such as Dutch embassies and consulates, UN ESCWA in Beirut, Greenpeace, and various museums and cultural institutions. These experiences allow you to apply your academic knowledge in real-world settings and gain relevant work experience.

Career prospects

A degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Leiden University will qualify you for a wide variety of careers. The degree shows your regional expertise and cultural sensitivity, your capacity to analyse questions in their proper regional and historical contexts, and your ability to think critically about current social, political and cultural issues in and beyond academia. Our alumni successfully built careers in diplomacy, Dutch and international NGOs, and cultural institutions; in academia, research, and education; and in journalism, consultancy, and development.

Find out more about your career prospects

Is Middle Eastern Studies the programme for you?

• Are you interested in taking a deep dive into the diversity, nuance, beauty and rich history of the large, intercultural regional spaces of North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia?
• Do you want to learn from renowned and internationally respected experts and be offered the knowledge and skills that are needed to pursue a career that involves these regions?
• Are you looking for an MA programme that allows you to track your own course, at an academic institution that offers excellent study facilities?

Then this is your programme! Do you want to find out if you are eligible for the master's programme in Middle Eastern Studies?

Check the admission requirements

Research MA Middle Eastern Studies

It is also possible to study Middle Eastern Studies as a two-year Research Master's programme.

Learn more about the Research MA Middle Eastern Studies