University of Leeds: Empowering postgraduate students through humanities study

04 Oct 2018

If you’re looking to embark on postgraduate studies in the field of Arts, Humanities and Cultures or Politics and International Studies, or take up a specialised Master’s programme in Conflict, Development and Security, Social and Public Policy or Medieval History, you would be wise to consider the University of Leeds.

Leeds forms part of an elite group of leading universities based in the UK called the Russell Group, which are committed to maintaining the very best research, outstanding teaching and learning experience and providing students with unrivalled links to business and the public sector. This prolific institution also ranks among the top 100 institutions worldwide in QS top university rankings 2019.

At Leeds you can study specialist courses otherwise unavailable at other universities in the US and worldwide. University staff have unique academic expertise in niche subjects, offering students the opportunity to study their ideal course within the fields of International Relations, Social Policy, Art Gallery and Museum Studies or American Literature and Culture.

“The strength of our expertise combined with the breadth of the disciplines we cover provides a wealth of opportunities and has real impact on the world in cultural, economic and societal ways,” the university promises.”

The University has a strong community of international students and inspires collaboration between postgraduate research students working across its many faculties. To top it off, the University has state-of-the-art computing facilities, excellent social spaces and seminar rooms to help you unleash your potential. You can specialise in a vast array of subjects and courses including:

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures

MA in Art Gallery and Museum Studies – which aims to provide students with a critical understanding of issues in curatorship, museology and museum management.

MA in Medieval History – which encourages students to acquire practical techniques in research, bibliography, palaeography, and skills necessary to produce high-level scholarship in Medieval History, as well as knowledge of Latin.

MA in English Literature – a diverse and flexible programme offering you a wide array of choice to explore the wealth of literature in English across periods and geographies.

School of Politics and International Studies

MA in International Relations – in which you will shape your understanding of global politics in the contemporary world by exploring a wide range of theories, approaches and debates, where you will then have the opportunity to develop expertise in a specialist area of interest to you.

MA in International Relations and Politics in the Middle East – a distinctive programme which offers an in-depth analysis of this vital region, delivered by an expert academic team.

MA in Conflict, Development and Security – an interdisciplinary programme which bridges the themes of conflict, liberal styles of governance and aid policy.

Source: University of Leeds

Shannon Lee, who studied an MA in Art Gallery and Museum Studies found Leeds particularly ideal as she had the opportunity to carry out one of her placements at the Royal Armouries Museum located in Leeds.

She also praises the course options available: “When I chose the MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies it was the diversity of the modules they offered because the department is so unique with the different areas of study.”

The student experience at Leeds is one that speaks for itself. According to Alex Caplan, an international student from the US who studied an MA in Politics and International Relations of the Middle East, she “was drawn by the strong focus Leeds offered in this area.”

She adds: “The high quality of each lecture promoted stimulating dialogue in my seminars and getting to interact with students from literally all corners of the world allowed me to acquire new perspectives.”

And of course, another crucial factor for students taking up any university course is the location of its campus.

For Callie Miller who came from Northern California to study an MA in American Literature and Culture, the city of Leeds, known as the cultural heart of Yorkshire, is not just a thriving metropolis but also a fantastic place to study:

“I have found the people to be friendly and the atmosphere to be upbeat. My favourite part of Leeds is its northern location and access to breathtaking countryside. There’s no better place for inspiration and rejuvenation than in the nature surrounding Leeds, and the city has its own unique culture and beat.”

Shannon Lee agrees saying, “Leeds is such a warm and welcoming city, especially for international students. If anyone is looking to gain a world class education from exceptional university while still having loads of fun in their down time, Leeds is for them.”

Source: University of Leeds

At Leeds, specialised programmes in international relations, social policy, climate change and the arts are better situated than any others to prepare graduates set on making a change in the world. These programmes give you the opportunity to take advantage of the university’s heritage and expertise in these specialist subject areas.

At Leeds, you will have the most current research feeding into your teaching, making it the ideal place to achieve your career aspirations. You will also gain a breadth and depth of knowledge and a respected qualification through a prolific UK institution, and courses only takes one year!

Combine this with a cheaper cost of living in a friendly city surrounded by beautiful countryside – it’s an incredibly attractive offer. Ready to start your journey at Leeds? Find out more here.

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