Middle Eastern Studies (Research) – (M.A.)

Middle Eastern and Islamic studies in Leiden have a justly deserved worldwide reputation.

Their breadth and depth are not only unparallelled in the Netherlands, but represent the very best of Middle Eastern and Islam-related research and teaching in Europe and beyond. The Research MA specialisation in Middle Eastern Studies allows you to focus on a region, such as the Arab world, North Africa, Turkey and the Persian world, or on a discipline, such as history, politics, religion, languages and literature, both regionally and cross-regionally. The broad expertise of Leiden's teaching faculty provides opportunities to explore the spectrum of Middle Eastern life and culture, from its Christian communities to Islamists and from the origins of Islam to the living, vibrant present. For those concentrating on Islamic studies, the programme embraces Muslim societies across Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The opportunity to work intensively in primary languages is offered in all tracks, but not demanded.