Middle Eastern Studies (MA)
Career prospects
Where do our graduates work?
After successfully completing the Middle Eastern Studies programme you will have developed and honed a unique set of academic skills that will be highly relevant to a career requiring a specialist language or cultural knowledge of the Middle East.
These skills and competences will serve as a strong foundation for a wide variety of academic-level positions, and will also enable you to furthering your academic education with a PhD programme.
After graduation, you can pursue careers in:
- Diplomacy, NGOs, and cultural institutions
- Academia and research
- International organisations and development
- Journalism, consultancy, and education
Alexandra Nieweg
PhD-student at Utrecht University
"I chose the MA in Middle Eastern Studies at Leiden University because I wanted to specialise further in the Turco-Persian world and its Islamic traditions, modern political ideologies and cultural production. In similar studies, these areas tend to receive little attention, but the lecturers in this programme have precisely these areas of expertise."
Researching motives, metaphors, images and narratives"After completing my MA, I immediately started as a PhD candidate in the Beyond Sharia: The Role of Sufism in Shaping Islam project at Utrecht University. Here I investigate antinomian (qalandariyyāt) motifs, metaphors, images and narratives that aimed to challenge the religious hierarchy and orthodox Islam, in Persian poetry from the 12th century onwards. More specifically, I analyse how themes in these poems influenced social, political, and religious developments in the subsequent centuries."
Advice and encouragement from lecturers"The MA in Middle Eastern Studies prepared me for this by stressing the need for independent analysis of primary sources. I was also able to improve my command of the Persian language and I learned a lot about the relationship between politics and Persian literature. This made it possible for me to independently analyse Persian-language primary sources for my thesis. In addition, I was able to count on the advice and encouragement of several of my lecturers during the application process."
Jiayi Zhu
Ph.D. Candidate, Tsinghua University
"In 2017, while many Chinese students were heading to the UK for their master's degrees, I chose a different path and went to Leiden University — a name unfamiliar to many at the time, but one I believed in deeply. Renowned for its strength in the humanities and Area Studies, Leiden’s Turkish Studies programme exceeded my expectations. The faculties were exceptional — both my supervisor and teachers offered unwavering support and encouragement. At Leiden, I not only learned how to conduct rigorous academic research, but also how to remain humble and grounded as a person."
The academic training I received laid a strong foundation for my career. After graduating, I worked as a lecturer in Turkish Major at two Chinese universities. I am now pursuing a PhD in Area Studies (Turkish history focus) at Tsinghua University, actively contributing to academic publications and continuing my journey toward becoming a leading scholar in Turkish Studies.
In which sector do students find jobs?
- 48 % Government and semi-government
- 13 % Non-profit
- 13 % Education
- 9 % Financial institutions
- 4 % Consultancy
- 4 % Arts and culture
- 4 % Media and journalism
- 4 % Research
This graph is based on alumni data from the MA Middle Eastern Studies 2020 through 2024.
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.
Do you consider to put your knowledge into practice during your studies? Determine whether an internship could be an option for you. Start orientating your possibilities by visiting an internship information session. This way you can receive information about the internship procedure and listen to tips of former interns.
Notice that you will search for an internship yourself to find a place of your interest. Do you need some help with this or the application process? Do not hesitate to contact the Career Service. When you have found an internship, inform us. Then, the internship coordinator advises you how to proceed and provides your internship plan with feedback so it can be submitted for approval to the board of examiners.
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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