Literature, Culture and Society (Literary Studies)

Overview

You can specialise in English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Scandinavian, Slavic, or Spanish studies, thus significantly enhancing your language skills as well as your expertise in literary and cultural analysis to prepare you for professions in cultural industries or education, among others. For students interested in Modern Greek literature, culture, and society, the English language specialisation programme offers the possibility to follow a course in this area.

Literature and culture from a global European perspective

The aim of the Literature, Culture and Society (Literary Studies) programme of the University of Amsterdam is for you to become an expert at analysing and querying how literature and culture respond to wider socio-political issues, and how, on the other hand, society may be affected and impacted by literary and cultural products. You will develop key skills in researching and writing about literary studies, specifically in reporting on the dynamics of the interplay and interface between literature and society. You will take courses in your target language and significantly improve your language skills while enhancing your expertise regarding a particular language region.

Careers

The specialisations of the Master's programme Literature, Culture and Society prepare students for a broad range of professions.

The Job Market

Graduates of this programme will have gained a valuable foundation for a variety of professions. Students who graduate from the Literature, Culture and Society programme will have developed excellent writing and public speaking skills, and they are qualified for positions with analytical and communicative components. Graduates will be able to pursue a career in education (educational sector), communications, the civil service, embassies or (international) enterprises.

Previous graduates from the programme have entered the following professions, among others: Producers at cultural institutions; Teacher training and teaching; Editor & Production Assistant at TV company; Editor in marketing company; Literary Agent; PhD Candidates; Communications & Marketing Advisor; Staff Trainer at airline; News desk at international cultural institute; Project Manager at creative agency; Project coordinator at public library.

An Academic Career

Graduates can also go on to do a PhD programme at the UvA, another Dutch university or a university abroad. When pursuing an academic career, it is advisable to discuss the possibility of joining the two-year Research Master’s in Literary Studies at the UvA.