Universiteit Leiden

nl en

German Literature and Culture (MA)

The master’s programme in German Literature and Culture at Leiden University offers the largest number of German-language master’s courses in the Netherlands and covers the fields of literary and cultural studies from the Middle Ages to the present.

Why study German literature and culture at Leiden University?

The specialisation in German Literature and Culture gives you access to excellent teaching and resources. The expansive curriculum spanning the Middle Ages to the present day allows you to pursue your personal area of interest. The programme explores topics including prose and poetry, film, politics, cultural memory and identity, gender and intertextuality, migration, religion, and the differences between East and West Germany.

Moreover, since all classes are taught in German, you will greatly improve your fluency in oral and written German. This can be strongly beneficial to your future career.

Learn more about the study programme

What are your career prospects?

This Master's prepares you to become an expert on German language and culture. Our graduates work at different types of organisations, such as education, communication and marketing, government, media and consultancy. Jobs include translator, language teacher, copywriter and editor.

Find out more about your career prospects

Is German Literature and Culture the programme for you?

Do you want to uncover German literature and how it relates to social issues while greatly improving your oral and written German? Then German 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

Study at our German partner universities

The programme has been developed in close connection with our German partner universities including the Freie Universität Berlin, the Universität Bremen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düssseldorf, Universität Leipzig, and Westfälische Wilhelmsuniversität Münster. You may choose to study some courses at these universities.

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.

Video: Our experts on Languages and Cultures explain

Due to the selected cookie settings, we cannot show this video here.

Watch the video on the original website or

Learn more about the study programme