Master Western Literature

For Master Western Literature, tuition fees are 9,494 EUR per year; applications for the Sep 2027 intake are open until Mar 1, 2027.

Why study Western literature at KU Leuven?

Through a range of contemporary theoretical and methodological perspectives, you will learn to understand literature as a complex cultural phenomenon in constant interaction with society and other media. The master starts from a critical interrogation of categories such as ‘Western’ and ‘literature.’ It provides you with a theoretical, comparative, and transnational framework that sustains your in-depth study of the literatures and periods in which you choose to specialise, which you can select from a broad range of electives.

This programme is also available in Dutch.

Accreditations and rankings

• #46 in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking
• #60 in the QS World University Ranking

Am I a good fit for this programme?

• You are interested in literature and literary analysis, and the larger social and cultural debates about culture and literature. In your undergraduate studies, you gained a thorough understanding of at least one language and the literature written in that language.
• You are familiar with the methods of literary study and with the theoretical background of literary analysis.
• You are able to conduct preliminary research within the field of literary studies and to report on this research in a clear and scholarly language.

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, founded in 1425 and located in the lively university town of Leuven, blends deep historical roots with a forward-looking research culture. With around 58,000 students across 16 faculties, KU Leuven offers a compact campus experience inside a dynamic European setting. The university's size and reputation mean students can access a broad academic community while still finding close mentorship and collaboration opportunities.

KU Leuven provides roughly 180 programs spanning humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, law and medicine, and is particularly strong in biotechnology, nanotechnology and renewable energy research. Over 11,000 international students contribute to a diverse learning environment and can choose many English-taught options. State-of-the-art laboratories, interdisciplinary research centers and partnerships with industry and international institutions create practical pathways from study to research projects, internships and postgraduate employment.

Student life in Leuven combines academic intensity with cultural vibrancy: historic streets, student clubs, and an active arts scene make it easy to connect and grow outside the classroom. The university offers dedicated support for international arrivals, language courses, scholarship guidance and career services that help students translate academic work into professional outcomes. For students seeking rigorous academics, strong research infrastructure and an international campus in the heart of Europe, KU Leuven delivers a supportive, opportunity-rich environment.