COURSE CURRICULUM

The two-year research master’s program in Middle Eastern Studies at Leiden University provides advanced training in both regional and disciplinary approaches within the field, preparing students for academic and professional careers that require deep expertise. A distinctive feature of this program is the strong emphasis on research: you are expected to spend your third semester conducting independent research, either in the Netherlands or abroad, with blended and virtual research options available to accommodate different needs.In the first year, all students take two interdisciplinary core courses shared with the research MA in Asian Studies. These are Critical Area Studies: Placing Your Research, which examines theoretical frameworks and debates central to area studies, and Methodology in the Social Sciences and Humanities, which explores the diverse methodologies relevant to historical, cultural, and political research. Alongside these, you select elective courses tailored to your interests, choosing from offerings in Middle Eastern Studies, Asian Studies, other research master’s programs, or national research schools. Early in the program, you are paired with a supervisor who helps you design a study path aligned with your research goals.The second year centres on fieldwork and the master’s thesis. A thesis seminar supports the writing process through peer feedback and structured guidance, culminating in a public defence. The program’s objectives include developing specialised knowledge, mastering advanced skills in text interpretation and conceptual analysis, and gaining the ability to independently design and execute high-quality research. By combining theoretical depth, methodological training, and hands-on research, this degree offers excellent preparation for a PhD trajectory or for roles in policy, research institutions, and international organisations.