COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Middle Eastern Studies at Leiden University is a one-year, 60 EC program that offers intensive and comprehensive training for students seeking careers that demand specialist knowledge of the languages, cultures, politics, and societies of the Middle East. The program begins with a 10 EC core course, Theories and Methods of Middle Eastern Studies, which provides a strong foundation in scholarly approaches and research techniques. Alongside this, students can select courses on historical and contemporary cultures, languages, literatures, religions, and political developments, either focusing on the Middle East as a whole or specialising in a specific region. The program culminates in a 20 EC master’s thesis based on individual research under expert supervision. Recent thesis topics reflect the program’s diversity, ranging from feminism in post-2009 Iran to nation-building in Kyrgyzstan, political identities in Western Sahara, and the impact of non-state actors on hydro-hegemony in Turkey.Beyond coursework, the program supports internships that allow students to gain professional experience at embassies, NGOs, museums, and international organisations such as the UN. Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, and self-study, while assessment includes exams, essays, presentations, peer feedback, and the final thesis. This structure ensures rigorous academic training and valuable practical exposure, preparing graduates for both academic and professional careers in international and cultural fields.