The master's in Assyriology, a specialisation of the Classics and Ancient Civilizations programme, at Leiden University provides you with a multidisciplinary study of the languages, literatures and cultures of ancient Mesopotamia and Anatolia.

Why study Assyriology at Leiden University?

The master in Assyriology is a one-year programme that gives you the opportunity to study with internationally acclaimed academics immersed in the latest research and engaged in actively expanding our knowledge of the field. Your teachers are not only experts in languages and cultures of the ancient Middle East, but also active researchers engaged in innovative projects that constantly build bridges between cutting-edge research and the courses in your programme. The programme offers basic and advanced language and script training in the three major languages that were written in cuneiform (Akkadian, Sumerian and Hittite). We encourage all our students to work with original clay tablets, kept at the Netherlands Institute of the Near East in Leiden.

Tailor the programme to your interests

You will be able to tailor your study programme to your personal interests by creating your own combination of courses from the Assyriology programme or from other programmes within the Faculties of Humanities and of Archaeology.

Study at one of our partner universities

We encourage all students to consider applying for a study visit abroad. As a student of Assyriology you can join research programmes at one of our partner universities – including SOAS, University College London, Heidelberg, Würzburg and Münster.

You may also benefit from the collaboration of classicists from different Universities in the National Research School in Classics (OIKOS).

Assyriology degree

Assyriology at Leiden University is an accredited degree programme. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a master’s degree in Classics and Ancient Civilizations and the title Master of Arts (MA).

Career prospects

Create a world of opportunities with a master's degree from Leiden University.

Our graduates end up working in a diverse range of positions, examples include:

• Policy officer for education
• Conservator at a museum
• Education officer at a museum
• PhD candidate at a university
• Research analyst at a consultancy firm
• Teacher at an institute for special needs education
• Policy officer at the provincial department of a political party
• Chief desk editor at a publishing house

Your qualifications

As a graduate of an MA in Classics and Ancient Civilizations at Leiden University you are qualified to work as a junior academic researcher in an academic environment or carry out further research work on a PhD programme. It is also possible to find employment within the fields of publishing or teaching, at policy-making departments of governmental bodies, within the education sector, or within cultural tourism.

A Leiden University degree

Leiden University Master's graduates are sought-after employees at (inter)national organisations. Our graduates are known for their combination of robust academic training, in-depth and relevant knowledge, and critical, multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.