★ StudyPath verdict
7.2/10
Best for students passionate about art history and museum studies who value Leiden's historic academic environment. Trade-off: the two broad specialisations offer flexibility but may require additional focus for niche careers in the cultura
Tuition · Intl
↗€22,300
EU: €2,694/year · click ↗
Duration
1 year
60 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by May 26
Language
English
IELTS 6.5+
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2020
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
↗67
DUO ↓71% ↗
Intl. %
↗30%
of students ↗
S:F ratio
↗25:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
6.5
IELTS required
Entry route
↗Bachelor
1 direct routes ↗
Satisfaction
↗3.5/5
NSE 2026 ↗
Employment
↗84%
field est. ↗
Median salary
↗€2,800
/mo gross · field ↗
Alumni
?
no data yet
↗ Real values are sourced; tiles marked “?” aren’t collected yet · Enrolled/yr is live from DUO · Satisfaction/outcomes are live from StudiekeuzedatabaseLast sync: 25 Jun 2026
About this program
A unique programme in terms of its diverse and interdisciplinary range of subjects, the Arts and Culture master's programme offers you the choice of two specialisations: Art History and Museum Studies. Each explores different themes from a comparative and global perspective and offers a broad range of electives, allowing you to further customise your degree.
This programme will give you a comprehensive grounding in the history, methods and theories of art history and museology, while also engaging with contemporary museum practice. There is an emphasis on the study of the object and its agency; critical theory and world art studies; and museum and collection studies. Possible paths lead through the late medieval and early modern period, to contemporary art and the digital age, as well as cultures of collecting and the museum in past and present times.
At Leiden University, you are joining one of the world's leading universities. In the MA in Arts and Culture, you learn from internationally-respected researchers at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) as well as eminent scholars and practitioners from our network of academic and cultural institutions. You benefit from this network both in what you learn, and in how, with opportunities for internships, exchange programmes and regular visiting speakers.
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English60 ECTSMaster of ArtsField area: Language & CultureSector: Kunst en CultuurCode of Conduct (intl.)Full-timeMaster
Teaching formats
Case studyField tripExhibitionGroup assignmentGroup discussionInternshipLectureLiterature study
About Leiden University
Leiden University, founded in 1575, is the oldest university in the Netherlands and one of Europe's most prestigious. Known for excellence in law, humanities, and international studies. 16 Nobel Prize winners are affiliated, including Einstein who was a professor there. Has a second campus in The Hague.
Living in Leiden
Student cost of living
Rent · room
€520/mo
Monthly total
€900–€1,600
Cost of living
Medium
Population
126k
Intellectual, historic, and cultured. Leiden exudes academic tradition with its beautiful old buildings and prestigious university. The city is quieter than Amsterdam but offers rich cultural experiences, including world-class museums like the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden.
View city guide →Specializations
Tracks from HOVI
International Leiden Leadership Programme ↗Honourstraject
Do you have the drive and ambition to further develop your leadership qualities and your knowledge of leadership? And would you like to learn more about leadership in practice?
…
Source: HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase
Curriculum
Course structure by year
?No curriculum data yet
Career outcomes
Graduate surveys · field-group level
Good job-market outlookfield: kunst algemeen
Median starting salary (field)€2,800/mo gross
Employed ~1.5y after graduating84%
Months to a substantial job14
Working in their own field46%
Permanent contract35%
Satisfied with their job3.6/5
Top graduate occupations (field)
Professoren en andere onderwijsgevenden in het hoger onderwijs9%
Archivarissen en conservatoren9%
Bedrijfs- en organisatieanalisten6%
Specialisten op het gebied van beleidsadministratie6%
Field-group estimates from national graduate surveys via Studiekeuzedatabase — not measured per programme
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Complete this degree73%
Women among first-years100%
International students30%
Say workload is “just right”59%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO · 2025) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
National Student Survey (NSE) — first-party reviews coming
3.5/5overall satisfaction · NSE 2026 · 17 respondents
Content & set-up3.6
Teachers4
Atmosphere4.2
Involvement & contact3.9
Testing & assessment3.7
Facilities3.9
Career preparation2.7
Teachers' English4.5
Would choose again3.2
Source: Nationale Studenten Enquête via Studiekeuzedatabase (Studiekeuze123/LCSK)
Application timeline
Application deadline
2026-05-15
Non-EU deadline
2026-04-01
Upcoming open days
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: 180
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: 180
- IELTS overall band: 6.5
- TOEFL internet based: 90
Scholarships
Internships
?No data yet
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