Positive evaluations after audits of research master’s programmes
Last semester, the research master's programmes of African Studies, Area studies, Asian Studies, Classics and Ancient Civilizations, History, Latin American Studies and Middle Eastern Studies were visited by audit committees. History could be assessed in a hybrid form, all other programmes were assessed online. All programmes have been positively assessed.
African Studies
The strong theses stand out for the research master's African Studies. According to the audit committees, they illustrate the excellence of the research-based programme. In addition, the African Studies Centre is praised as ‘one of the leading academic centers in the field’. Both the university and the center benefit from the collaboration.
Asian Studies
The committee considers Asian Studies to be an ‘excellent’ programme. The reviewed theses cover ‘a wide and interesting range of topics’ and are of high quality. The committee recommends to maintain the close collaboration between Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, but to not merge the programmes.
Classics and Ancient Civilizations
According to the audit committee, the research master Classics and Ancient Civilizations is ‘an outstanding programme by international standards.’ Students show a high level of engagement and write good theses, which proves that students gain the knowledge and skills that may be expected from a research master's.
History
The committee praises the study profile of the research master History, which fits in well with the focus on research of the Leiden University Institute for History (LUIH). ‘The curriculum and the teaching-learning environment of the research master’s programme are designed and implemented in such a way that the students are enabled to achieve the intended learning outcomes. The students are very positive about the programme.’
Latin American Studies
The audit committee values the strong involvement of the staff of Latin American Studies. The multilingual and multidisciplinary character of the research master's is also praised. According to the committee, the addition of linguistics could further strengthen the programme.
Middle Eastern Studies
Just like Asian Studies, cooperation partner Middle Eastern Studies received the predicate 'excellent'. In this master's programme, the large number of students progressing on to a PhD trajectory was particularly noteworthy, as was the strong theoretical foundation of the programme.