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Jewish Studies (Middle Eastern Studies)

Master
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The one-year Master's programme Jewish Studies focuses on Jewish culture and intellectual life from antiquity to the present. This Master is unique in that it offers, next to a solid methodological basis and the weeklong International Winter School in Jewish Studies, a tailor-made programme for each student.

Language of instruction
English
Mode
Full-time

Nov18
Master's Week: 18-24 Nov
Feb12
Master's Week: 12 -16 Feb
Visit an open day or event

A tailor-made programme

Following a general theoretical and methodological seminar, you will take tutorials and/or electives in subjects related to your desired area of expertise. Together with the study adviser and tutors, you will draw up your own trajectory. The staff participating in the programme cover a broad range of subjects, periods and approaches: Second Temple period and ancient rabbinic Judaism, medieval culture, with particular emphasis on philosophy and history of the sciences, early modern and modern cultural and intellectual history (including Amsterdam’s Jewish past and present), book history, Modern Hebrew and Israeli literature and culture, and Yiddish studies.

MA Jewish Studies video
UvA Master's programme in Jewish Studies explained

In this video the teacher and student of the programme explain how this programme is structured and what the unique aspects are.

Create your own trajectory

Tailor-made programme

Studytrip abroad

International Winter School on a location abroad

Amsterdam

Situated in a city rich in Jewish life

Network

Connections with Jewish institutes

Why study Jewish Studies at the UvA?

  • Ideal study environment
    The Master's in Jewish Studies is situated in a city rich in Jewish life and infrastructure. Local institutions include the Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana, the Ets Haim/Livraria Montezinos, the Jewish Historical Museum and the Municipal Archive. Together, the UvA and these institutions host extensive collections, ranging from primary sources to contemporary scholarly literature and material objects. The programme offers ample opportunity to work with original primary sources at Amsterdam’s Jewish heritage collections
  • A tailor-made programme
    You have the possibility to choose from a wide variety of specialisations and to draw up your own trajectory. 
  • Winter School in Jewish Studies abroad
    The programme offers the International Winter School in Jewish Studies, an excursion to a location somewhere else in Europe or Israel; 
  • Preparation for the labor market
    The programme maintains excellent connections with other departments within the university as well as other academic and Jewish institutes, where students can find additional expertise. Thanks to the staff’s national and international networks, most graduates find jobs in their area of expertise.
Copyright: Anne-Mieke van Strien / FGw
Amsterdam and Jews have been interconnected for centuries and that is still perceptible and tangible: art, literature, architecture, delicacies at the bakery, the words that you hear on the street... you can’t escape it! Anne-Mieke van Strien, student Jewish Studies Read the interview

After graduation

After graduation you can start a career in the cultural sector (museums, theatres), in the Jewish infrastructure, as an interpreter/translator at companies with branches in the Middle East, at government bodies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or in journalism. Teaching is also possible.

Degree certificate

Middle Eastern Studies is an accredited degree Master’s programme. After successful completion of the Jewish Studies specialisation, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies and the title Master of Arts (MA).

Facts & Figures
Degree programme
MA Middle Eastern Studies
Type
Regular study programme
Mode
Full-time
Credits
60 ECTS ECTS, 12 months
Language of instruction
English
Starts in
September
CROHO code
60842
Location
University Quarter