English Literature and Culture (MA)
The one-year, English-taught master's programme in English Literature and Culture focuses on the interaction between literature and key political and social issues such as identity, migration, memory and the metropolis, but also between literature and the literary tradition, and literature and film.
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Why study English Literature and Culture at Leiden University?
The specialisation in English Literature and Culture gives you access to excellent teaching and resources including Leiden University’s unique collection of manuscripts, books, periodicals and electronic media. The expansive curriculum spanning the Middle Ages to the present day allows you to pursue your personal area of interest. You can choose from ‘popular’ culture to the classics, from Beowulf to James Joyce. It is also possible to focus on speculative fiction, 'the fantastic', and film.
The curriculum goes beyond the traditional canons of British and American literature. The programme prides itself on the diversity of its courses, including the possibility to study literature from the Caribbean, South-Africa and India. A special feature of the programme is the option to focus on Philology: the study of medieval texts (Old and Middle English) and text media in their cultural-historical contexts.
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What are your career prospects?
This Master's prepares you for a wide range of positions related to your expertise in the English language. Our graduates work at different types of organisations, such as education, the government, communication and marketing, financial institutions, publishing and media. Our students have gone on to work in such jobs as language teacher, editor, and communications officer.
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Is English Literature and Culture the programme for you?
Do you want to explore English-language literature from all around the world? Do you want to know more about the interaction between literature and key political and social issues? Then English Literature and Culture 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.
Check the admission requirements
A centre of expertise on languages and cultures of the world
When it comes to languages and cultures, Leiden University is the university. The global expertise present places our university at the top. In Leiden and The Hague, we study languages and cultures from all regions of the world and from prehistory to the present day. In this way we create a broad view of the world; the key to mutual understanding.
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