The Master's

Would you like to know more about the cultural history of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance than is on offer in your current academic programme? Are you keen to acquire more in-depth knowledge and to widen your historical perspective through intensive interdisciplinary training? Are you interested in scholarly historical research and perhaps undertaking a PhD in history? Or would you like to pursue an academic career or hold a high-level position in the cultural sector? Then the Master of Medieval and Renaissance Studies is an ideal springboard.

My profile

The aim of this interdisciplinary programme is to prepare students for the independent study of the cultural and intellectual history of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance by means of a series of specialized seminars. Starting from texts, the programme wishes to address a wide spectrum of issues in the fields of philosophy, theology, religion, language and literature, historiography, law, and the history of education and of science. Special attention is devoted to the relation between text and image, the afterlife of Antiquity and the significance of the Low Countries in the cultural history of Western Europe.

Assets

Research on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance at K.U.Leuven enjoys a very strong international reputation thanks to the various efforts of numerous dedicated research centres, such as the De Wulf-Mansion Centre (philosophy), Aristoteles Latinus, Illuminare (illuminated manuscripts), the Seminarium Philologiae Humanisticae, the Research Unit for the History of the Middle Ages, and the Institute for Medieval Studies, which monitors the contacts between these centres.

Strengthened by its expertise in ancient and modern languages, K.U.Leuven's historical-philological research strongly emphasizes the interdisciplinary study of texts. In the Leuven context, special attention is devoted to the role of the Church and its stimulating influence on intellectual life.

Study programme

Apart from researching and writing a master thesis (18 credits), students are required to actively participate in four seminars (24 credits): an interdisciplinary research seminar (focussing on the variety of methodologies and approaches of current research in the field of cultural history of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance), a seminar on text edition, a seminar on manuscripts and old prints and a seminar about sign systems and their signification.

In addition, students must choose a further 18 credits by taking seminars on philosophy, theology, humanism, literature, linguistics, law, historiography, history of education, Church history, devotional practice, the history of the sciences and vernacular literature (Dutch and French). All seminars other than those on Dutch and French literature are taught in English. A motivated application is necessary.

Career prospects

Graduates are eligible for participation in research projects, academic appointments, and career positions in the cultural sector.

Application and Admissions

Detailed information on application procedures and admission requirements depends on your preceding qualifications, etc.

• You will find more information on application matters here.

Medieval and Renaissance Studies - Impressionen vom Masterstudium

Übersicht der Masterstudiengänge - KU Leuven

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