Latin American Studies (MA)

The master’s programme of Latin American Studies offered by Leiden University supports the teaching and research of the social, cultural, historical, and linguistic diversity of contemporary Latin America, a region of mind-blowing diversity and global impact.

Why study Latin American Studies at Leiden University?

Taught by scholars from Leiden University's internationally-acclaimed Faculty of Humanities, and including collaboration from visiting experts on Latin America, the master in Latin American Studies explores the most current social, political, linguistic and cultural developments shaping Latin America today. We offer you the unique opportunity to specialise in the Latin American region, and offer a unique combination of multi-disciplinary expertise for the Netherlands in the field of Brazilian studies. You can choose to focus on any of the countries in the region, depending on your interests.

We also offer:

The opportunity of extending the full immersion in the region through fieldwork in Latin America, for which you receive supervision and guidance.
Small-scale teaching and research-led teaching.
Knowledge and skills that will help you in your future career, whether inside or outside of academia.

Research in Latin America

In addition to the mandatory courses within each track, you can broaden or deepen your knowledge through a wide choice of electives, self-devised fieldwork and your thesis. A research trip to Latin America immerses you in one of the Latin American cultures and languages, while developing your ability to conduct high-quality scientific research and communicate professionally and effectively.

Learn more about the study programme

What are your career prospects?

Your degree qualifies you for roles in cultural organisations, education, translation, tourism, publishing, documentation and information processing, development, embassies, ministries of foreign affairs, and semi-governmental and non-profit organisations with a focus on Latin America. You are also well-equipped to pursue a PhD position and a career in academia.

Find out more about your career prospects

Patricio Silva

Professor of Modern Latin American History

“The Public Policies in Latin America track is oriented to the study of public policies in Latin America. Each student has to study a specific social policy (in the fields of education, housing, security, health, etc.) in a particular Latin American country. For this purpose, you'll stay for two months in Latin America studying and participating in a Ministry, a specialised state agency, or in a Non-Governmental Organisation. So you'll learn the ‘real thing’: how real actors do try to solve specific problems in their countries. This first-hand experience of working in developmental institutions has proven to be highly appreciated in the Dutch job market.”

Is Latin American Studies the programme for you?

A substantial part of the programme is taught in Spanish and Portuguese: another reason why this programme attracts ambitious students from all over the world. Small classes ensure a high level of interaction between you, your international peers, and your lecturers – creating an exceptionally stimulating and supportive learning environment. Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's programme?

Check the admission requirements

In which sector do students find jobs?

22 Non profit
11 Government and semi-government organisations
11 Consultancy
11 Business services
11 Education
34 Other

The graph above is based on alumni data from the MA in Latin American Studies 2016-2020.

At Leiden, you can gain an in-depth understanding of Brazil, the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world and home to a fascinating culture and emerging global player on the world stage. Our MA and Research MA students can choose to do fieldwork in Brazil.
The beautiful city of Salvador is the capital of the Brazilian state of Bahia, home to Brazil’s largest Afro-Brazilian population. Brazil’s multicultural landscape, its history and complex social make-up is an important part of what we study at Leiden.
Machu Picchu translates to 'old peak' in Quechua. Quechua was spoken by the Incas. Nowadays, it is the second most common language in Peru, a multilingual nation. In Leiden, you can study how indigenous populations are depicted in written materials, what the impact of multilingual education policies is, as well as the linguistic outcomes of language contact.
An important parallel Belize has with other regions in Central America is the use of Spanish alongside Kriol, as English-based creoles are also spoken in coastal provinces of Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. In Leiden, we examine the multiple manifestations of language contact in these communities.
The majestic Teotihuacan pyramids in central Mexico are the reminder of the great civilisations that flourished prior to the arrival of the European colonisers in the 15th century. The social, cultural, linguistic legacies of these civilisations in contemporary Latin America are some of the topics we study in Leiden.