Culture and Politics (MA)

Why study Culture and Politics at Leiden University?

The specialisation in Culture and Politics focuses on the cultural dynamics of power, dominance, and resistance. You will study the relationship between political concepts and a large variety of cultural forms. The specialisation also examines the transnational production, distribution, and consumption of culture, problematising “national” cultural and “soft power” policies. You will study these concepts by drawing on methods from fields like linguistics, media and cultural studies. This special approach teaches you to analyse political phenomena in both conventional and unconventional ways.

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Is Culture and Politics the programme for you?

Are you interested in international relations? Do you want to know how culture not only influences world politics, but also how we politically perceive the world around us? Then the specialisation in Culture and Politics at Leiden University is the right Master's programme for you. Find out if you are eligible for this Master's programme by checking the admission requirements.

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Culture and Politics Event Series

Beyond the classroom, the Culture and Politics Event Series exposes students to further themes related to their specialisation as well as to possible future career opportunities for which their specialisation provides required knowledge and skills. The combination of academic rigor and exposure to dynamics of culture and politics at the practical level will position you for success in further studies or in the work world. For an overview of previous Culture and Politics events, please visit the Culture and Politics Event Series page.

Culture and Politics Event Series: International Criminal Court tour

As part of the Culture and Politics specialisation event series, students visited the International Criminal Court in The Hague at the start of the academic year 2024-25. The tour included a general introduction to the work of the Court, the opportunity to observe first-hand official proceedings, and a talk by representatives of the Court’s Public Affairs and Outreach Office. After the talk, a Q&A session gave students the chance to ask topical questions as well as questions related to career prospects and preparation. 

What are your career prospects?

This Master's prepares you for a wide range of roles in almost every sector of the job market. Our graduates work at different types of organisations, such as research institutes, international organisations, government bodies, NGOs and academia. Jobs include policy advisor, consultant, communications manager and editor. 

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Heloísa Mundt

Graduated in 2022

"I decided to join Culture and Politics because it brings a unique perspective to the study of International Relations through innovative elements, such as emotions, art, and religion. It has provided me with a new, more sensitive view of how we politically experience the world in our daily lives. I particularly enjoyed the multicultural environment I found at Leiden University, as well as the fact that my peers came from various academic backgrounds. The programme has encouraged me to pursue a PhD so that I can dig deeper into the knowledge I have discovered."

Humanities-based international relations

The programme is unique in its embrace of a humanities-based approach to international relations.  Ideas in world politics are combined with historiographical, cultural, and area studies teaching and research. This approach demonstrates how humankind in all its variety makes sense of the world and how international relations shapes social conditions and systems of meaning across and within countries. This will help you become a well-rounded professional who is prepared to tackle the challenges and opportunities in the field of international relations.

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