COURSE CURRICULUM

The master’s program in English Literature and Culture at Leiden University spans two semesters and is structured around four courses and an MA thesis, offering students both depth and flexibility in their studies. The curriculum allows students to shape their learning experience according to their interests: the first two courses are selected from the English Literature and Culture program, while the third course may also be chosen from other Literary Studies tracks such as German, French, Italian, or Literature & Society. The fourth course offers even broader flexibility, as students may choose from within the English Literature and Culture track, other Literary Studies tracks, or from a range of related programs, including North American Studies, Linguistics (English Language and Linguistics), or courses offered through Masterlanguage. While Masterlanguage courses carry slightly fewer credits (5 or 6 EC instead of 10), they expand the opportunities for specialised study. This structure supports a high degree of individual choice, enabling students to pursue specific literary, linguistic, or interdisciplinary interests. The program can be studied full-time or part-time, though part-time students should note that evening classes are not offered. Academic rigour is central to the program, as all teaching staff are internationally active scholars whose courses reflect contemporary debates and incorporate insights from their own research. Students are trained to develop critical thinking, academic writing, and independent research skills, all culminating in a substantial master’s thesis. For those interested in combining literature and linguistics, there is also the option to follow a joint program that integrates courses from both Literary Studies and Linguistics alongside the thesis. Thematic variety is another strength of the program, with courses covering both fixed classics, such as seminars on James Joyce’s Ulysses, and rotating topics that reflect new research directions, such as Chaucer’s Dream Poetry, early modern women writers, climate fiction, or Tolkien’s use of Old English. Philology also plays an important role, allowing students to connect literary study with earlier stages of the English language, such as Old and Middle English. Altogether, the program offers a rigorous and flexible framework that balances tradition with innovation, preparing students for careers in research, education, publishing, or cultural institutions.