Turkish Language and Culture

Bachelor programme
Language of Instruction: Dutch

Modern Turkey is a western state with oriental traits. Many inhabitants of European countries, like the Netherlands, have a Turkish background; the contacts between Turkey and Western Europe are diverse and intense. However, Turkey is not only focused on the West. Since the end of the Cold War it is also rekindling the bond with Turkic-speaking peoples in Central Asia. The Leiden programme in Turkish Language and Culture pays considerable attention to modern Turkey. During the first year of the Bachelor’s programme, students learn to speak and write in Turkish; the alphabet is the same as ours but the language is completely different. Students follow introductory classes in a diverse set of subjects concerned with the Turkish world: history, religion, literature, economy, administration and law. The study of Islam in Turkish society is an important part of the curriculum. In the remainder of the programme, students concentrate more in depth on these topics in depth, and in the third year, they choose a particular subject from one of these fields for their Bachelor's thesis.

See for more information the department website (in Dutch)

Practical Studies

Following the basic programme, the Turkish Language and Culture programme can be combined with one of the 'practical studies' or PraktijkStudies (International Management & Culture, European Union Studies, Journalism and the New Media, Book and Publishing or the Educational minor) or with other options and, possibly, an internship.