Since we have no graduates, it is impossible to give precise information on career tracks for graduates holding a BA in International Studies. However, we can quote the findings of the UK Quality Assessement Committee for Area Studies in its report for 2008. It stated “Graduates in Area Studies are well placed to enter an ever more globalised job market. Area Studies programmes encourage in their students a strong sense of perspective and flexibility in thinking.

All of these features have strong employer appeal in an increasingly globalised world, in which the possession of intercultural competences and relevant language skills has never been more important. The particular combination of specialist knowledge and transferable skills that area studies graduates offer is vitally important in a wide range of employment sectors including government, business and commerce, diplomacy, communications and the media, at both international and national level.”

The Faculty of Humanities offers a full range of English-language Masters degrees, some of which are unique in the Netherlands. Many of these will be open to graduates in International Studies, but some may have additional or supplementary requirements that may be met by choosing a specific minor during the third year of the BA programme. Examples of Master’s programmes at the Faculty of Humanities:

• International Studies (Master of Arts, new programme)

• Dutch Studies (Master of Arts)

• European Union Studies (Master of Arts)

• Latin America Studies (Master of Arts)

• Russian Studies (Master of Arts)

• African Studies (two year Research Master)

For a full overview of all Master’ s programmes at Leiden University, please visit en.mastersinleiden.nl/ .

As for post-graduate studies elsewhere, there is one thing of which you can be certain. You will be leaving Leiden with a world-class degree from a university with a world-class reputation. For students with good grades and with ambition, there will be very few doors that will be closed to you.