You are eligible to apply for the MA Media studies: Book and Digital Media Studies if you have:

• A bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree; and
• Knowledge and understanding of the cultural and historical developments in Europe at academic bachelor’s level in the humanities, with regard to subjects relevant to the field of book studies.

If you have completed the minor ‘Boek, boekhandel en uitgeverij’ at Leiden University or comparable components worth at least 30 credits in book studies you are considered to have fulfilled this requirement. In all other cases, the Board of Admissions will decide whether the requirement for this knowledge and understanding has been met.

Applicants with a degree from a Dutch university of applied sciences (hbo) or equivalent are not eligible for admission to the Master’s programme. The specialisation Book and Digital Media Studies does not offer a pre-master’s programme.

The following requirements apply*: 

• IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
  • We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
  • We do not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
• TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 20 for each separate component.
  • We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only:
    You are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
  • We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™  or institutional tests such as ITP.

• Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.

*You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.