English Literature and Culture

Specialisation of: Literary Studies
Degree: Master of Arts in Literary Studies
Mode of Study: Full-time, part-time
Duration: 1 year (full-time); 1,5 year (part-time)
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60813
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The English Literature and Culture specialisation of the MA in Literary Studies provides you with an opportunity to develop your knowledge of a wide range of literary works and genres in English, from the Renaissance to the present. Since English is a world language, you will not only read works from the more ‘traditional’ canons of British and American literature, but also from such diverse areas as the Caribbean, South-Africa and India. Literature knows no bounds in time or place, and this specialisation offers you a chance to explore this rich variety.

The courses about American Literature will also be offered in the new American Studies programme.

Students choose from a range of seminar options. These courses vary from year to year, but always include topics related to American writing, and to both Early Modern and Modern texts in English. Such courses range from ‘popular’ culture (fantasy, horror) to reception of the classics, from Milton and Shakespeare to Anglo-American films.

Reasons to choose English in Leiden

  • The Leiden English Department offers a full range of the traditional and modern standard subjects of English studies.
  • The department employs a very wide range of specialists of excellent standing.
  • The Leiden University Library holds a large collection of books, periodicals, manuscripts and other material and provides excellent access to electronic media.
  • Supervision and counselling in the department have a good reputation.
  • Students benefit from the strong network of international contacts with English departments all over the world.

What our students say

Bart van Lopik

“You are stimulated to find your own way, this makes it a lot more personal “

“In my opinion, one of the best things of this program, is that you are being stimulated to come up with new approach to a certain work even though many of the subjects have already been researched thousands of times. They really challenge you to find that new perspective on a certain subject or to find connections between the texts from different fields of expertise (for instance between Old-English texts and texts from the same period on the continent). Because so much has already been researched it really is a challenge to come up with something new that also makes sense, on which to write your paper.

In class there is lots of room to put your own ideas forward, and get them discussed by your fellow students and the professor. You are stimulated to find your own way within the massive amount of research that has already been done, so that you can focus on the aspects of the course that appeal to you the most. This is something I really like about this master, because it makes it a lot more personal, because you can just focus on what you find the most interesting on the subject of your course.

All the professors know their way around the material that has been already been published in their field of expertise and they are always aware of the latest developments regarding their subject. They are also very willing to answer your question and when you do not find the answer completely satisfactory, they will help you find the articles that go into the subject of your question more deeply.”

Bart van Lopik, MA English Language and Culture