Museum Studies (MA)

Why Leiden University

A top-ranked university

Leiden University's Faculty of Humanities consistently ranks in the top 30 humanities faculties in the Times Higher Education (THE) world university rankings. At Leiden University learning incorporates the latest research and resources found nowhere else in the world, such as those of the Leiden University Library. The Library's collections include over 100,000 prints, 12,000 drawings and 30,000 portraits as well as the oldest museological photo collection of the Netherlands.

An ideal location for the study of museums and collections

Leiden University offers you one of the best locations from which to explore and study museums and collections. Leiden is home to 13 museums, including Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, Museum De Lakenhal, the National Museum of Ethnology,  and the Siebold House. Our location close to the major European cities of The Hague, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels and London brings you also within easy reach of some of Europe’s most famous museums, galleries and exhibitions.

World-class expertise

The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is a leading European centre for research and teaching in languages, literature, art and culture. The MA in Art and Culture makes full use of this centre’s unmatched academic range, global network, and student-centred focus, with a high-level of individual supervision and the option to customise programmes to meet personal goals.

An outstanding start to your career

Our reputation as a centre of excellence means that your qualification is respected by organisations worldwide. Our graduates enjoy successful careers thanks to their broad and global mind-sets, specialised and in-depth knowledge, and strong critical-thinking skills. The success of our alumni speaks for itself. Our graduates are equipped to solve the challenges facing society now and in the future.

Diversity and inclusion

We are convinced that our education can only flourish if everyone within the programme feels supported, respected and empowered to do their best work. We find it important to offer a learning environment that allows for different perspectives and points of view that students bring with them, depending on their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, health, religion, age or socio-economic background. Every new generation sees the world from a new perspective – and our students are the newest generation. We look forward to hearing more about your perspective. Leiden University has been pursuing diversity policy since 2014, with the aim of creating a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment for all staff and students.