English Literature and Culture Leiden University

Overview

The one-year, English-taught master's programme in English Literature and Culture focuses on the interaction between literature and key political and social issues such as identity, migration, memory and the metropolis, but also between literature and the literary tradition, and literature and film. Taught by Leiden University's acclaimed English literature faculty, this programme gives you access to excellent teaching and resources including Leiden University’s unique collection of manuscripts, books, periodicals and electronic media.

Focus on your area of interest

An expansive curriculum spanning the Middle Ages to the present day gives you scope to pursue your personal area of interest. Choose from ‘popular’ culture to the classics; from Beowulf to Chaucer; Milton and Shakespeare to James Joyce and Anglo-American films. Besides reading works from the traditional canons of British and American literature, you can also focus on speculative fiction, the Gothic, and Hollywood film.

Customised education

Design your own curriculum according to your career goals or interests. Concentrate on English-language literature from the 20th and 21st centuries, or on courses related to medieval or early modern literature. Hone your language skills or prepare for the Educational Master. You can also choose to combine English literature courses with Masterlanguage and English linguistics courses.

What you will learn

The Master's programme in Literary Studies at Leiden University equips you with a range of transferable skills and knowledge that will help you stand out in your future career. Your specialised knowledge is complemented by a broad and contextual understanding as well as critical-thinking skills that can be applied to complex conceptual problems. Other skills you may encounter in the various Literary Studies courses are:

• Analysis
• Oral and written communication
• Research
• Intercultural skills
• Creative thinking

Career prospects

Because of the extensive curriculum and specialisations, the career opportunities after completing the Literary Studies specialisation in English Literature and Culture are broad. Our graduates have landed jobs in various sectors of the job market, such as education, communication and marketing, financial institutions, publishing and media. Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:

• Photo editor at the Rathenau Instituut
• Communications Officer
• English teacher
• University lecturer
• Translator
• Journalist
• Senior Legal Advisor
• Editor in a publishing firm
• ‘tekstschrijver’ for the ‘Tweede Kamer’ of the ‘Staten-Generaal’

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.