English Language and Culture (BA)

After graduation

Once you have obtained your bachelor’s degree, you will be ready for a next step: continuing your studies or entering the labour market. Completing the English Language and Culture programme will give you an excellent preparation for both options.

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Get to know Claire van Leeuwen in this video. She studied English Language and Culture and is now working as a Conversation Designer at ABN AMRO. Are you curious about what exactly she does in a day? Watch the video to find out!

Your skills after graduation

After graduating from this bachelor’s programme, you will have obtained academic as well as professional skills:

In-depth knowledge about the workings and the historical development of the English language.
In-depth knowledge of and insight into the development of English literature in a historical-cultural perspective.
An active (writing, speaking) command of English at CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level C1 and a passive (reading, listening) command of English at CEFR level C2.
Independent thinking and problem solving.
Writing texts for specific audiences.
Presentation skills.
Working in teams.
Analysing information.

These skills are sought after by employers and well as by universities selecting candidates for their master’s programmes.

Your career prospects

If you decide to continue your academic education with a master’s programme, you will find that graduates from the English Language and Culture programme are generally admissible to many master’s programmes in the field of humanities at universities in the Netherlands and abroad.

Read more about our Master's programmes.

Where you find a job afterwards will depend upon your interests, knowledge and skills, and the elective choices that you made during your study. What is certain, however, is that you will be qualified to work in a broad range of sectors.

Annamika Singh

Graduated in English Language and Culture

“In the programme English Language and Culture you often have to give presentations and briefly explain something to people who do not know anything about the subject yet. I have noticed that I can use that skill on the job market. You have to give presentations more often than you would think, even though the setting is not always as formal as in class. I always have to be able to explain the storyline of a book to interested people. During the programme, I have also learned to write well in English."

Veerle Peene

Student

"After this bachelor's programme, I want to pursue the master's in Book and Digital Media in Leiden. This aligns perfectly with my love for books, and I'm also interested in exploring the publishing world."

Humanities Career Event

Each year, the Faculty of Humanities organises a Humanities Career Event. This all-day event is your chance to learn everything you can about how to find the job you want and successfully attain it. The event includes workshops on a wide range of topics as well as opportunities to network with alumni and potential employers and attain tips, information and potential job leads. Check out the programme of the 2021 Career Event to get an idea of what such an event involves.

Check out the video of the Humanities Career Event!

Career Service

The Career Service of Leiden University’s Faculty of Humanities will be pleased to give you personal advice and guidance about internships and jobs, as well as courses and workshops in career-planning, job applications and interviews. The advisors can also provide contact details for potential employers. Furthermore, an internship coordinator and career advisor will help you match your interests and abilities with suitable internships and career options. You can contact the Student Career Service during your studies or up to six months after you graduate.