North American Studies (MA)

Transcription

1 North American Studies (MA) Master Discover the world at Leiden University Type Language City Master English Leiden Taking an integrated approach to the study of the United States, the MA North American Studies at Leiden University focuses on key areas in U.S. history, culture, and literature, with special attention to the influence of the past on contemporary social, political and cultural developments. While the programme focuses on the U.S., you will also explore the role the U.S. plays in the region and in the world, as well as the impact of the region and the world on developments in the U.S. Key areas of the programme The key areas and major issues in the history, literature and culture of the U.S.that the programme explores in-depth include: 1

2 Slavery and African-American emancipation struggles; U.S. political history and international relations; Immigration and ethnicity; Identity and memory politics. An important aspect of the programme is learning how to conduct independent interdisciplinary research, comprehend and apply theoretical insights, learn about and engage with scholarly debates, and take a critical approach to all materials. Opportunities are available for an internship (for example at the Roosevelt Institute of American Studies at Middelburg, which is affiliated with Leiden) or study at a university in the U.S. or Canada. Learn from acclaimed researchers During your studies you will learn alongside talented and highly-motivated students in an international classroom setting. Classes are kept relatively small to allow for a high level of interaction with your instructors, all of whom are internationally acclaimed researchers in the field of American Studies. Why Leiden University Leiden University offers ambitious students the freedom to develop their own area of expertise. International Centre of Expertise Leiden University is one of Europe's top research universities and an international centre of expertise for research in American Studies. According to the National Student Survey ((NSE: Nationale Studenten Enquête), the Leiden MA programme in North American Studies ranked number 1 in the Netherlands in 2016 and Students have access to the unique and outstanding resources of Leiden University, including its world famous library, but also special digital archives in the field of American Studies that are not available at other Dutch universities, nor indeed at most other universities in Europe. Moreover, students have access to the unique collections of the Roosevelt Institute of American Studies in Middelburg, for example on the life and work of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt, U.S. foreign relations, migration, and Civil Rights. Raymond and Beverly Sackler Chair in American Studies 2

3 Since 2005, the Institute of History and the North American Studies programme at Leiden have been enriched with the prestigious Raymond and Beverly Sackler Chair in American History and Culture, an endowed chair that is unique in the Netherlands. The first holder of the chair, Professor Adam Fairclough, is an eminent historian and one of the leading experts in the history of the civil rights movement and more recently the Reconstruction Era. After Fairclough s retirement in 2016, Dr. Damian Pargas has been appointed as his successor. Professor Pargas is an internationally acclaimed social historian specialised in the history of slavery in the U.S. South, a topic on which he has authored two books and numerous articles. He is the recipient of a prestigious VIDI grant for the research project Beacons of Freedom: Slave Refugees in North America, , on which he is currently working with three Ph.D. candidates. Broad curriculum and an individual approach At Leiden University, students can choose subjects from a broad but coherent curriculum, including specialised subjects not available elsewhere. All classes are taught by accomplished scholars and experienced teachers. Relatively small classes and a number of social events throughout the year give you valuable time interacting with your teachers, who are all established or even leading scholars in their fields. The general atmosphere in the department was rated 4,62 (out of 5 maximum) in the National Student Survey of Flexibility to construct your own programme Our master's programme in North American Studies gives you considerable freedom to tailor your degree to reflect your interests. Students are encouraged to choose an interdisciplinary approach, but can also focus on either American history or American literature, film, and culture. You also have the option of doing an internship, for example at the Roosevelt Institute of American Studies in Middelburg or in the U.S., or spending a semester at a university in the U.S. or Canada. An excellent start to your career Your master s degree from Leiden University is respected by organisations and universities worldwide. But that's not the only advantage of studying at Leiden. We challenge you to think independently, research and analyse rigorously, and devise new and creative solutions. Our students learn how to become critical thinkers a quality that will ensure they stand out in any career they choose. Internships can enhance your job perspectives: in the past four years, our students have successfully completed (or are currently doing) international internships both in The Netherlands and abroad. 3

4 The Leiden Experience About the programme The one-year master s programme in North American Studies provides students with comprehensive knowledge of North American history, literature, film, and culture and their connection to contemporary social, political, literary and cultural developments in an international perspective. As a North American Studies student you will learn to critically analyse American historical, literary and cultural texts and films within their contexts, and conduct independent interdisciplinary research. The master's programme in North American Studies consists of one core course, three research seminars, and an MA thesis. You will be able to pursue an interdisciplinary approach, or you may choose to specialise in either American history or American literature, film and culture. You also have the option of replacing one elective course with an internship at an organisation or institution in the Netherlands or abroad. Drawing students from all over the world and with an international teaching staff, the Leiden programme offers an international classroom setting. The core course 'Major Issues in American Studies' explores the major issues and scholarly and theoretical debates within the academic field of American history, politics and culture. Three research seminars provide an in-depth analysis of a particular subject covered by the core course. You will carry out research within these seminars, using primary source materials, digital and conventional archives, published documents and/or critical and theoretical sources. Subjects regularly taught include: The Civil Rights Movement; Post-9/11 literature, film and memory culture in the U.S.; Immigrant and minority literature and film; The Rise and Decline of American Empire; 4

5 The Rooseveltian Century; Slavery and the American South. An MA thesis concludes the programme, which includes an oral defence. You will be guided through the process of writing your MA thesis in a thesis seminar and in frequent individual meetings with your thesis supervisor. Seminars Tutorials Self-study Internship options Thesis Peer feedback, papers, reviews, reports and research essays Oral presentations MA thesis Fullbright Visiting Professor Frequently the programme is enriched by the presence of a Fulbright Visiting Professor. Several distinguished U.S. scholars have offered courses at Leiden in the past few years during their Fulbright tenure: Professors Kenneth Marcus (2013) taught American music, Scott Bennett (2014) gave a course on the U.S. Peace Movement, and Judith Lee (2016) taught American Humor and Empire. Detailed programme For a detailed programme, please check the e-prospectus. Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may slightly differ. Sophie Oostelbos Graduated in MA North American Studies "Even though I m not currently active in the field of American Studies, I still use skills that I acquired during my studies. One of these is cultural awareness. By studying a culture outside of my own I learned that there are 5

6 many different ways to interpret situations and that people act according to their cultural background. This is useful in my job because I interact with people from many different cultures. The programme also taught me how to critically analyse all different sorts of written materials." Internship at the Dutch consulate-general in New York "During my studies, I did an internship at the Dutch consulate-general in New York. I had always known about the internship possibilities there, because my father worked there for 4 years when I was a teenager. One of the requirements is that you are at least 21 years old, so it wasn t until my Master s phase that I was able to apply. The Consulate hires 4-5 Dutch students twice a year. When I applied, the vacancies were listed on the Consulate s website. Nowadays they are listed on the website nederlandwereldwijd.nl (specifically here)." Dutch Culture USA "I worked at the Cultural Department of the Consulate. The Cultural Department supports Dutch culture and artists in all of the US (not just New York). Together with another intern I was responsible for all the Social Media channels of the Consulate that were linked to the Consulate s own website. We wrote blogs daily, posted on Social Media daily, sent out a monthly newsletter and visited many Dutch cultural events (expositions, plays, concerts, etc.). On top of this I did research on the effectiveness of the Consulate s Social Media usage. This was part of Leiden University s mandatory internship assignment." Traineeship "Currently I work as a second-year Leiden Delft Erasmus trainee at the TU Delft Global Initiative, the platform, portal and booster of science and technology for global sustainable development at TU Delft. Through this initiative scientists from TU Delft use their expertise to find concrete solutions for worldwide problems. My role is that of Project Coordinator Funding and Events. I help scientists find appropriate funding for their research, and I organise (monthly) events for our global community at TU Delft." Giles Scott-Smith Professor of Diplomatic History of Transatlantic Relations since WW II 6

7 This MA attracts highly motivated students who are curious and critical in their outlook. Our students frequently motivate me to look at the subject matter in new ways, as much as I motivate them to engage with the material and excel in their coursework. A range of professions Graduates of the MA in North American Studies have gone on to pursue a variety of occupations in the literary/media field. The strong focus on writing skills, independent research capabilities, and engagement with current-day cultural and political topics enables graduates to enter a range of creative professions." Mirjam de Baar Vice-dean Time has taught us that solutions to social problems do not lie in technology, but in human potential. Technological solutions are essential, but so is the significance people attribute to this information through culture or language. Experience shows us that research within the humanities and social sciences often provides these solutions. This is why the research conducted by our humanities faculty is so highly relevant and important. I am very proud of the fact that Leiden University s Faculty of Humanities is one of the world s leading faculties in the field. Broad and relevant research: One of this faculty s strengths is how incredibly broad it is. We conduct a wealth of relevant research in so many different fields and disciplines. We have egyptologists working on excavation sites in Saqqara and the Dakhla Oasis. We have linguists who are documenting, for the first time, languages that are spoken by vast numbers of people in the world today; others creating computer simulations of language acquisition by the brain. The extent and variety of the activity going on is tremendous. A stimulating environment When you join Leiden s Faculty of Humanities you are joining a community of passionate, stimulated and ambitious students and staff from all over the 7

8 world. Our academic environment is known for being conducive to interaction between individuals of all standing: at Leiden even the most junior researcher is treated as a valuable member of the community with important opinions to share. You also gain access to truly unique resources found nowhere else in the world, such as our famous collections at the University Library. Our lecturers and support staff are committed to your success, both now and in the future, and offer you the tools needed to develop into a critically-minded professional who can truly make a difference to the world. Extra-curricular Get the most out of your studies at Leiden University by taking part in our extracurricular activities. Social and academic programme events We want you to be part of the academic community that is formed by our staff. Our small classes and a range of social events organised by the North American Studies programme throughout the year give you valuable time interacting with other students and your teachers. Studying abroad You will be able to broaden your knowledge and world experience by participating in an exchange programme at a top university in the U.S. or Canada. The International Office of the Faculty of Humanities will be able to help you make the right decision for your time studying abroad. Leiden Leadership Programme Are you interested in developing your leadership potential? The Leiden Leadership Programme (LLP) is an Honours Programme specifically developed for ambitious master's students at Leiden University and the Delft University of Technology who recognise the importance of leadership abilities. The LLP offers in-depth training sessions, assessments, seminars, and the creation of a Personal Leadership Roadmap a five-year plan for reaching and developing your leadership potential. 8

9 Career prospects Create a world of opportunities with a master's degree from Leiden University What our graduates do The master s programme in North American Studies prepares you for a wide range of careers in which well-developed analytical and other academic skills or specialised knowledge of U.S. history, literature, politics, and culture are valued. Our graduates pursue careers in the international job market in fields including teaching, journalism, IT, business, politics, government policy, publishing and research. Positions held by our graduates include: Lecturer in English at Fontys University of Applied Sciences Freelance researcher and writer with De Correspondent Information manager and press liaison, Regional Fire Department Hollands Midden Junior Policy Officer Education with Leiden, Delft and Erasmus University Consortium Junior Policy Officer Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hague Junior Policy Officer Ministry of Foreign affairs, Brussels Policy Officer, Strategy and Research, City of Leiden Social researcher for a community engagement consultancy firm in Sydney, Australia Teacher of English at Rotterdam International Secondary School Teacher of English, Joke Smit College, Amsterdam Teacher of English, ALLC International House, Beirut, Lebanon Teacher of English, Madrid Editor, MSN.NL based in Lille, France PhD candidate in American history, University of Edinburgh Office Manager, Cultural Heritage Partners, Richmond, Virginia Office manager, HPE Growth Capital, Amsterdam Senior Media Reporter, Zoom Media Systems Analyst, Nature Research Publishing, London Data manager/co-ordinator longitudinal research project Erasmus University Trainee at Calco 9

10 Knowledge and Content Development Specialist, Johnson & Johnson, Prague, Czech Republic Maarten Berkelaar Student in MA North American Studies "I use the skills and knowledge I ve gained during my MA in North American Studies on a daily basis. The knowledge about American history, politics, and culture is particularly of value. The value of knowing how America became the country it is today and what the American people find important speaks for itself. Another skill I use is writing. Even though I m not writing scholarly papers, I still use the same techniques when writing articles. The structure of a written piece is very important and my MA trained me in this aspect of story writing." Internship in Washington "At this moment, I am doing an intership at the Dutch broadcasting organisation NOS in Washington. I first heard of the internship through an sent by Dr. Kardux. She sent an to all North American Studies students informing them of this opportunity. I applied for the internship thinking that my lack of journalistic experience would mean that I would not be a fit for the program. In total, there were four rounds of selection. The first one was a letter of motivation, then followed a skype-interview, a writing assignment, and, finally, there was a final call over the phone. The whole process took about a month and after all this, I found out that I was selected as the next intern." Pitching and writing "My day starts at 9 am and usually finishes between 5 and 6 pm. I start most of my days by reading the newspapers to look for interesting stories to write about. After this, I pitch a story to my colleagues and start writing it. The days when big events, such as hurricanes, happen, the focus is on those stories. In these cases, I m usually tasked with finding people to talk to about this subject and plan the trips to these locations. The main part of my internship, so far, has been the writing of articles for the website. So far, I ve written two stories, one about the DACA-children and one about the relationship between presidents and athletes. I enjoy the research that goes into these stories and writing about something that is being overlooked at some points." 10

11 Alexcia Cleveland Graduated in MA North American Studies "I am currently the office manager of a cultural heritage law firm; beyond being a law firm, the company also runs a museum technology company, a leadership academy, a consulting agency, and a lobbying group so my day-to-day tasks tend to be fairly diverse. Without a doubt, the refinement of foundational skills, such as speaking and researching, were my greatest takeaways from my studies at Leiden." Skills my program taught me "I am often tasked with researching subjects and people I know nothing about, so I am glad that my program taught me how to efficiently find and examine reliable sources. As for speaking skills, on any given day I could be running augmented reality demonstrations or speaking to important clients, so I am grateful to feel comfortable in my speaking ability." Understanding America as a whole "With its interdisciplinary approach to history, culture, literature, and the modern day, Leiden s programme in North American Studies does an excellent job of weaving together the many aspects necessary to understand America as a whole. Beyond the academics, because I was studying my own country I figured it would be best to study abroad and hear how others viewed America. Not only is there a diverse faculty in Leiden, but the students themselves come from all over the place with each one possessing unique insights. This has allowed for many spirited discussions both inside and outside of the classroom and I could hardly ask for brighter, kinder, more passionate people to learn with." Inge Oosterhoff Graduated in MA North American Studies "After graduating from Leiden University with an MA North American Studies, I began working as a freelance writer and researcher. I wanted to take my interest in American culture and people and apply it in more diverse and 11

12 creative ways than solely in academic research. As such, my career is not very straight-lined, but miscellaneous and unpredictable." Use the knowledge and insights from my MA on a daily basis "I have worked on journalistic articles, literary projects and am currently working on a documentary in New York. American culture and society remain a common thread in my work, which means I get to use the knowledge and insights from my MA (and BA) program on a daily basis. The work I do now challenges me to always approach that knowledge from a different angle and to keep expanding it, which I personally find very rewarding." A Leiden University degree Leiden University master's graduates are sought-after employees at (inter)national organisations. Our graduates are known for their combination of robust academic training, in-depth and relevant knowledge, and critical, multidisciplinary approach to problemsolving. Teacher qualification If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can apply for the Dutch-taught teachertraining MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education after graduating from the master s programme. To be admitted to the teacher training in History after this master s, you also need to have a bachelor s degree in History or a closely related programme. For the teacher training in English, the entry requirements include a bachelor s degree in English Language and Culture or a closely related programme. You have to speak fluent Dutch to follow the course, and there are some additional entry requirements. In which sector do students find jobs? 14.0 % Culture, sports and recreation 14.0 % Non-profit (e.g. at an idealistic organisation) 14.0 % Journalism 14.0 % Education 14.0 % Business services 30.0 % Miscellaneous How successful are they in finding a job? 12

13 70.0 % found a job within two months 80.0 % found their first job at academic level 71.0 % held a position at academic level when the study was carried out Career preparation Our goal is to prepare you to make a difference in your future career. Knowledge and skills The development of in-depth knowledge in the field, and the ability to think independently, critically, and analytically are key goals of this programme. The North American Studies programme will introduce you to the concepts, academic approaches and scholarly debates current in American Studies. You will learn about these concepts and approaches in Major Issues in American History and Culture and apply them in your other courses as well as in researching and analyzing primary and secondary sources. Your thesis work will give you the opportunity to apply these methods to a specific topic and engage with existing scholarly debates in your own research. As all courses are offered in English and students are trained in speaking and writing in academic English, our alumni have a high standard of English proficiency. Internships Many of our students choose to do an internship during their study. Internships are a great way to gain invaluable first-hand experience in your area of interest before you decide on making it a career. In the past four years, our students have successfully completed internships at, for example: the Dutch Consulate in New York; the Dutch Embassies in Washington and Thailand; the NOS Bureau in Washington; Springer Academic Publishing in India; Roosevelt Institute of American Studies in Middelburg; Volkenkundig Museum in Leiden; 13

14 Aids Fund in Amsterdam; a slavery research project in Leiden. Alumni network The North American Studies programme organises career events especially for North American Studies students as well as in cooperation with affiliated programmes like History and Literary Studies and other area studies programmes. Recent graduates are regularly invited to talk about their internships, experiences on the job market, and/or current positions. Leiden North American Studies graduates are currently employed at, for example: Rotterdam International Secondary School; Fontys University of Applied Sciences; Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hague and Brussels; Leiden, Delft and Erasmus University Consortium; MSN.NL in Lille, France; Nature Research Publishing in London; Regional Fire Department Hollands Midden; Johson & Johnson, Prague. Humanities Career Service Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at Humanities Career Service provide all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV. Humanities Career Event Each year, the Faculty of Humanities organises a Humanities Careers Event. This all-day event is your chance to learn everything you can about how to find the job you want and successfully attain it. The event includes workshops on a wide range of topics as well as opportunities to network with alumni and potential employers and attain tips, information and potential job leads. Check out the video of the Humanities Career Event 2017! 14

15 <!--cke_bookmark_8860s--& amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;<!-- cke_bookmark_8860e--> Admission and application Do you want to apply for this master s programme at Leiden University? Please check our admission and application information. Admission requirements Required documents Application and deadlines Tuition fees Admission requirements On this page you will find the admission requirements for this programme. Diploma requirements A bachelor s degree from a university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic bachelor s degree in American Studies, or in the field of Humanities or Social Sciences. Comparable qualities in the field of knowledge, understanding and skills with those acquired upon graduating from the bachelor s programme History from Leiden University with an (official) specialisation in American History. Applicants should have completed courses worth at least 30 EC in the field of American Studies. Students who have a Bachelor s degree in History from Leiden University with a specialisation in American History will be admitted. They do, however, need to submit an online application. 15

16 Applicants with a Bachelor s degree in International Studies from Leiden University who have completed all area courses for North America, and wrote their BA Thesis on North America and/or completed at least one optional course worth 10 ECTS which is included in the pre-master programme in American Studies will be admitted. They do, however, need to submit an online application. Applicants who have completed the minor in American Studies at Leiden University will be admitted. They do, however, need to submit an online application. See How to apply for further details. Applicants with a bachelor s degree from a university of applied sciences (HBO) in History, English, European Studies, or Journalism may be admitted after completing the pre-master s programme. Language requirements Sufficient command of English (IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 100 (internet-based) or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE); for the speaking and writing components a minimum score of IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL25 is required). For a list of exceptions, see the website on language requirements. Exams accepted IELTS: academic test only TOEFL Cambridge English Exam Cambridge English Exam equivalences Programme requiring IELTS 6.5 = Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE), with a minimum grade of C Programme requiring IELTS 7.0 or higher = Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) Other exam criteria 16

17 Exam results may not be more than two years old. Institutional exams, such as ITP-TOEFL, cannot be accepted. Chinese students who need a Nuffic certificate should take either an IELTS or a TOEFL IBT exam. Exemptions You may be considered exempt from submitting one of the above-mentioned English exam results if: You have an (English-taught) International Baccalaureate. You completed your secondary or higher education in the USA, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada). At the discretion of the Board of Admissions, you are a Dutch student with preuniversity education (VWO) level English. In exceptional cases, students who otherwise qualify for an exemption but whose application documents cast doubt on their English proficiency may be asked to sit an English exam. Submitting your exam results All English exam results must be uploaded to the online application system. Your English exam results must be checked for authenticity by the Admissions Office before the deadline for applying for a visa/residence permit (if applicable), or before the start date of your programme. To make this possible, please do the following: TOEFL exam: tell ETS to send your original results report to Leiden University Admissions Office institution code Cambridge certificate: send your ID number and your secret number (check the Candidate Results Online service) to the Leiden University Admissions Office. IELTS: a scanned exam result is sufficient - no further steps will be required. 17

18 Required documents Along with your application, you will need to submit the documents below. Required application documents Please upload a copy of the passport page(s) with your personal details and photograph. If you come from the EU/EER, you may also send a copy of your identity card. If you are already staying in the Netherlands with a Dutch residence permit for study or for another purpose, please upload a copy of both sides of your Dutch residence permit. Your CV must be written in English. Other than this, no standardised format or template is required. Your CV should clearly outline your educational and professional history up until the present date, as well as basic personal facts. A personal statement must be submitted explaining why you want to follow the programme, why you have chosen to do so at Leiden University, and what makes you think you are a good candidate. The statement should be between 700 and 1,500 words. Digital copies are required initially. Once you have been admitted, we will tell you how to submit certified copies to the Admissions Office. Documents must be in the original language and accompanied by official translations if they are not in English, Dutch, German or French. If you have not yet completed your study programme, state your expected graduation date and submit copies of all transcripts obtained to date. If you are applying for an LLM Advanced Studies programme: all documents must be available in English (or translated into English). You can apply to a programme before you obtain the results of your language exam (if you already have your results you can upload them directly in our online portal). If you are admitted, it will be on the condition that these results will meet the required levels specified. 18

19 Always check first if your programme requires you to send in letters of recommendation. If you need to submit more than one letter, at least one letter must be from an academic staff member. The letter must be printed on letterhead paper, signed and bearing the full contact details of the referee (for verification purposes). Your referee should describe your skills, qualities and competencies. Recommendation letters - submission information Letters of recommendation can be scanned and uploaded as part of your online application. Alternatively, your referee can send them directly to us, making sure your name and application number are clearly indicated. By post: Leiden University Admissions Office Gravensteen Pieterskerkhof SR Leiden The Netherlands Digitally via our contact form Additionally please complete the attached format and upload this in your application. Questions? If you have any further questions, you can look them up at the Student FAQ page. Application and deadlines If you would like to apply for this programme, please check the guidelines below. 19

20 If your Leiden University bachelor s degree grants you automatic admission you can register directly in Studielink. Studielink will be open for applications from 1 October. Learn more about registering in Studielink. If your diploma doesn t grant you automatic admission to the programme, you will need to submit an online application. Application deadlines Starting in September If you need a visa, residence permit or accommodation via the Leiden University Housing Office, the deadline is 1 April If you do not need a visa, residence permit or accommodation via the Leiden University Housing Office, the deadline is 15 June Starting in February If you need a visa, residence permit or accommodation via the Leiden University Housing Office, the deadline is 15 October If you do not need a visa, residence permit or accommodation via the Leiden University Housing Office, the deadline is 1 December Apply early! If you are required to take an additional entrance exam or submit additional documentation, you should apply as early as possible. If you apply at the last minute, you risk missing deadlines, such as those for accommodation or visa applications. Late applications will only be considered in exceptional cases, and at the discretion of the faculty Board of Admissions. Pre-master s 20

21 If you have a bachelor s degree from a university of applied science (HBO) in History, English, European Studies, or Journalism you will be admitted after completing the premaster s programme. This one-year programme of 60 EC is taught in English and Dutch. More details For more information, see the e-prospectus. Tuition fees The tuition fee for a programme depends on a number of factors. Your nationality, study programme and previous Dutch higher education qualifications determine the tuition fees you are required to pay. The tuition fees for the academic year are: Dutch, EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students: 2,006 per year Non-EU/EEA students 16,600 per year Second Dutch master s programme: 14,900 per year More information about tuition fees The tuition fee for this programme is 2,006 for the academic year (statutory fee). This tuition fee applies if this is not your second master s programme and you are a national of the Netherlands, or one of the following countries: Austria Latvia Belgium Liechtenstein Bulgaria Lithuania 21

22 Croatia Luxembourg Cyprus Malta Czech Republic Norway Denmark Poland Estonia Portugal Finland Romania France Slovakia Germany Slovenia Greece Spain Hungary Suriname Iceland Sweden Ireland Switzerland Italy United Kingdom The fee applies for both full-time and part-time study. 22

23 The tuition fee for this programme is 16,600 for the academic year (institutional tuition fee). If you are not a national of an EEA country, Suriname or Switzerland you must generally pay an institutional tuition fee. However if, on the basis of your Dutch residence permit, you are eligible for student finance from the Dutch education agency (DUO), you are entitled to pay a statutory tuition fee. Information on qualifying residence permits can be found in the DUO nationality chart. This fee applies for both full and part-time study. Please note: If you study at Leiden University via a cooperation agreement the fees stated in the agreement apply. The tuition fee for this programme is 14,900 for the academic year (institutional tuition fee). If you would like to enroll in a second Dutch master s programme, you will generally have to pay an institutional tuition fee. This tuition fee also applies if you obtained a Dutch Bachelor s, doctoraal, ingenieurs or HBO (Bachelor s in professional education) diploma after 1991, and you are a national of the Netherlands or another EEA country: Austria Latvia Belgium Liechtenstein Bulgaria Lithuania Croatia Luxembourg 23

24 Cyprus Malta Czech Republic Norway Denmark Poland Estonia Portugal Finland Romania France Slovakia Germany Slovenia Greece Spain Hungary Suriname Iceland Sweden Ireland Switzerland Italy United Kingdom Exceptions Did you commence a bachelor s programme at Leiden University before 2010, and will you continue directly onto a second master s programme in the year you complete your bachelor s programme, or during the following year? If so, you are entitled to pay the statutory tuition fee in accordance with a transitional ruling (also see Exceptions ). 24

25 Please note! Other fees apply for students who are not nationals of an EEA country, Suriname or Switzerland. Please refer to the information in the section Non-EU/EEA nationals. Are you unsure whether you have to pay a statutory tuition fee or an institutional fee? Consult our tuition fee flowchart for second master s programmes. EEA countries, Suriname or Switzerland In some cases, nationals of EEA countries, Suriname or Switzerland may be permitted to pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee for their second degree programme. If your second degree programme is in the field of healthcare or teacher training you are entitled to pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee. If you begin your second bachelor s or master s programme whilst you are still studying your first bachelor's or master s programme you may pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee for your second degree programme on condition that you remain continuously registered as a student. If you start a second bachelor s or master's programme at Leiden University in the academic year directly following the year in which you obtained your first bachelor s or master's degree at Leiden University you may pay institutional tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee. Less than 45 EC If you plan to study a pre-master or conversion programme after completing a bachelor s programme, you must pay 33,- per study credit (EC) if the programme is less than 45 ECs. 45 EC or more For programmes of more than 45 ECs you must pay the statutory tuition fee. If the premaster or conversion programme is more than 60 ECs and therefore longer than one year 25

26 or if you will study courses that are not part of your conversion programme, you must pay the institutional tuition fee for the programme in question (see Second Dutch master s programme ). These fees apply to students of all nationalities. Student life Your time at Leiden is about more than just studying. Some of your best experiences will stem from being a part of our lively and diverse student community, as well as from life in the beautiful city of Leiden. Life in Leiden Picturesque and the perfect size, Leiden is the ideal place to spend your university days. The Faculty of Humanities is located within the heart of the city, where dozens of cafes, shops and bars line its historic laneways and leafy canals. Small enough to run into familiar faces, but big enough to keep offering surprises you will treasure your time at Leiden. And for adventures further afield, the major cities of The Hague and Amsterdam are a short train ride away, along with Schiphol Airport, which is just half an hour away by train. Our study and student associations organise a huge variety of social, cultural, and study events to keep you busy all year round. You can also join the University Sports Centre, which offers scheduled group sports and fitness classes, amongst other activities. Welcome and orientation programme In August and February each year, Leiden University hosts the English-language Orientation Week Leiden (OWL), which welcomes both international and Dutch students. The OWL is an excellent way to get to know Leiden University, the city, and other students. Study associations Leiden University s Faculty of Humanities has a number of study associations run by students and related to a particular department or programme. Study associations organise social activities such as informal gatherings, sports events, and parties, as well as studyrelated activities such as excursions and study trips. 26

27 The study association related to North American Studies is study association via International Student Associations LUNAS. You may contact the Leiden has several student organisations that specifically cater for international students. These associations organise regular social events and activities that help create the strong sense of community that exists within our international student body. The main two organisations are: International Student Network (ISN) ISN Leiden is an international student organisation which hosts a range of activities and programmes. They also have a buddy programme which provides new students with the right support to assimilate into Leiden and the university. AEGEE Leiden AEGEE is a leading European student association with sister organisations in over 40 countries across Europe. AEGEE organises many activities in Leiden, from dinners and pool nights to boat trips and guest lectures. For an overview of all of our student associations, please visit our Student assocations page. Humanities Master s Buddy Programme The Humanities Master s Buddy Programme has been set up by the Faculty of Humanities to help all students who are new to the university to integrate quickly and easily into university life. Through the programme you will learn everything you need to know about the university, the student community, and the practical side of life in Leiden. Information activities Come and meet us at the Leiden University Master s Open Day! About our Master s Open Day Are you thinking about joining a master s programme at Leiden University? Come and visit our Master s Open Day! This event is your opportunity to learn everything you need to 27

28 know about our master s programmes and how they can help you reach your goals. Attend presentations, meet our lecturers, learn about the careers of our alumni and hear first-hand the experiences of students and graduates on life at Leiden University. Jelle and Rick: The main reasons we re visiting the Master s Open Day is to talk to students and recent alumni. The website gives you a lot of information, but talking to students gives us a much better idea of what it s really like to study this degree. 28

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30 Sophie: I came to the Master s Day because I have some questions that I couldn t find answers to via the site. In my bachelor s I am already specialising in North America, so this master s is a good match. And next year, in the first semester, I ll be going to Boston! 30

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32 Luuk: Today I want to find out what it s like to be doing a master s, and what the real focus of the programme is. I ve just been looking at International Relations, because I really like the dynamics of the programme. It focuses on current events, and I m particularly impressed with the international aspects of the master s, which I feel give it more weight. 32

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34 Nino and Elias: Nino: I m now doing a bachelor s in Assyriology, and I may want to do a master s in it too. We ve heard that studying here is real fun. We re from Italy but we love Holland and the Dutch. 34

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36 Dennis: Studying: pre-master s in Dutch Literature (Vrije Universiteit), master s in Philosophy (University of Amsterdam) Interested in: Literary Studies, Dutch Studies, Comparative Literature and Literary Theory Contact If you have a question, there are various ways to get in touch with us. The website and our Frequently Asked Questions are the quickest ways to find an answer to your questions. Questions about the Programme Coordinator of studies Ms. Els Munter Phone: +31 (0) e.c.munter@hum.leidenuniv.nl Questions about the application procedure Student Affairs Front Office Phone: +31 (0) Contact form Or visit their website Visiting address Leiden: Plexus Student Centre Kaiserstraat 25, ground floor 2311 GN Leiden Monday till Friday between and 16.00, Tuesday to