International Studies (BA)
Continuing your studies
If you want to continue in International Studies, the next step after obtaining your bachelor’s is a master’s degree (MA) at a Dutch or international university. And there may be no better place for your further master’s study than Leiden University!
Choosing a master’s programme
Leiden University has around 70 study disciplines which together offer 250 different masters specialisations. You can choose to follow a master’s programme that has a connection with your bachelor’s, or alternatively, you can choose to specialize in a different discipline. Next to the one-year master’s programmes, Leiden also offers two-year research master’s.
Visit Leiden University Master’s website to find an overview of all programmes, as well as practical information about Master’s Open Days, how to apply, deadlines, tuition fees and much more.
Masters at the Faculty of Humanities
Are you interested in continuing your studies at Leiden University’s Faculty of Humanities? You can choose from a wide range of master’s programmes in:
- Area Studies
- History
- International Relations
- Language, literature and communication
- Media, Arts and Culture
- Philosophy and Religious Studies
Many of the Humanities masters have specific admission requirements for graduates from the BA International Studies. Check the Admission Requirements page of the programme of your interest to learn more.
Discover all Humanities master’s programmes.
Masters elsewhere in the Netherlands or abroad
There are plenty of opportunities for following a master’s. You can choose to do a master’s programme at another university in the Netherlands or at a university abroad. Many of our students continue their academic education in the EU, the US or elsewhere, while Leiden University [Master programmes - Leiden University] is also a popular choice.
If you have obtained a bachelor’s degree from Leiden University and want to do a master’s programme elsewhere, you will have to go through an application and/or selection procedure. You can find more information on the website of the university in question.
Aisha Hassan
Alumna
"International Studies has made me realise how interesting policy making is, I went on to do a master’s in Development Studies at Wageningen University. My specialisation now is Politics and Government, but within that track Africa is still my personal focus. My future plans? I am really interested in doing research, which means that I may choose to continue in an academic environment. The skills I learned in International Studies are of great use during my master’s here in Wageningen, I can really practice what I learned during my time in The Hague."
Ugnė Mikalajūnaitė
Alumna
"I am currently studying and working at the Yenching Academy of Peking University, where I do a master’s degree in China Studies. Leiden has lot of partnerships with international universities and organisations and they keep you informed about upcoming work or study opportunities. This is how I found out about my current master’s programme."