Research Master in Arts, Literature and Media
An interdisciplinary research master exploring the intersections of arts, literature, and media across historical and contemporary contexts.
Best for:Best for students passionate about interdisciplinary humanities research, with a focus on media, literature, or art history, seeking a flexible yet structured master’s programme.
Overview
This interdisciplinary research master at Leiden University offers a unique blend of arts, literature, and media studies. Students engage in two collective courses to develop a multidisciplinary research perspective, then specialize in either medieval/early modern media or contemporary media (e.g., cinema, games, social media). The programme integrates courses from national research schools (medieval studies, art history, literary studies, media studies, cultural analysis) and allows flexibility to tailor electives to individual research interests. A key component involves hands-on collaboration with faculty on ongoing research projects, fostering direct engagement with scholarly ‘laboratories’.
What you'll do
- Complete two collective courses to develop a multidisciplinary research framework in arts, literature, and media.
- Choose between two specialized research lines: medieval/early modern media or contemporary media (e.g., cinema, games, social media).
- Select courses from national research schools (medieval studies, art history, literary studies, media studies, cultural analysis) and tailor electives to individual research interests.
- Collaborate with faculty on ongoing research projects, contributing actively to scholarly work in a ‘case-based research’ component.
- Develop a research proposal aligned with your chosen specialization and faculty supervision.
- Engage in independent research and produce a master’s thesis under faculty guidance.
Requirements
Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Humanities, Literature, Media Studies, or a related field.
Degree offered: Master of Arts (Research)
Language: English; IELTS overall band 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100 or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (180).
Instruction: English
- Strong research and analytical skills in humanities or related disciplines.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary research settings.
- Proficiency in academic writing and critical thinking.
- Familiarity with digital tools for research (e.g., text analysis, digital archives).
- No specific nationality restrictions.
- No age restrictions.
- No prior experience caps.
Funding & terms
Programme and admissions
Admissions not verified
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- Intake
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- Duration
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- Taught / research mode
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- Campus
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- Prerequisites
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- Tuition
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How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-15
Applicants must submit their application through Leiden University’s official portal. Required documents include a CV, a letter of motivation, academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and a research proposal outlining your intended focus. Additional materials may be requested depending on the specialization chosen.
- CV
- Letter of motivation
- Academic transcripts (Bachelor’s degree)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge)
- Research proposal (30 EC-specific research focus)
- Reference letters (if required)
Contact
Admissions Office· Master’s Admissions Coordinator
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