Application and admission

Once you’ve decided on the right programme for you, making your application is the next step.
To apply, just follow these steps.

1. Academic requirements
An educational diploma that is at least equal to the Dutch pre-university diploma (VWO) is the minimum requirement for admission to any bachelor’s programme. This includes over 50 international diplomas listed on our website. Some programmes may have additional requirements, so please check per programme. 

2. Language requirements
Proficiency in English is required for admission to all English-taught programmes. Leiden University accepts the following English language tests (results must not be more than 2 years old):

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): academic modules only, with a minimum score of 6.5 or 7.0 for most English-taught bachelor’s programmes. 

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): with a minimum score of 90 or 100 (internet-based) for most English-taught bachelor’s programmes. 

  • Cambridge English Exam: Advanced (CAE) with minimum grade C or Proficiency (CPE).

  • Please see the individual programme descriptions for exact scores. 

For information about exemptions, and exact scores required per programmme, please check the website. 

3. Programme specific requirements

The specific academic entry requirements for each bachelor’s programme are mentioned under each programme description at 

bachelors.universiteitleiden.nl/en

Admission to master’s specific and based on academic, programme-specific and language requirements.

1 December 2021 (Early Bird/Non-EEA)
15 March 2022 (Regular) 

Leiden University College The Hague 

15 January 2022 

Numerus Fixus programmes (Psychology, Political Science: International Relations and Organisations)

1 April 2022

Bachelor’s programmes for students who

  • Require a student visa or residence permit  

1 May 2022

Programmes with a compulsory matching module 

15 June 2022 

Bachelor’s programmes for students who

  • Do not require a visa or residence permit to study in the Netherlands
  • Are not applying for a programme with compulsory matching or numerus fixus   
bachelors.universiteitleiden.nl/en

You will need to submit a variety of required documents along with your application for the Admissions Office to assess. These include:

  • Copy of valid passport or European ID card
  • Dutch residence permit (if applicable)
  • CV (résumé)
  • Copies of diplomas and official transcripts in the original language (with official translations if these documents are not in English, Dutch, German or French).
  • Proof of English-language proficiency
  • Any additional documentation required per programme

1. Apply in Studielink

All students who would like to apply to a programme at Leiden University will need to start in Studielink, the national online system for students applying to a programme at a Dutch university.

studielink.nl

2. Complete the application form

After applying in Studielink, you will receive login details to the Leiden University Online Application Portal (uSis). There you can finalise your application by uploading the required documents and answering some additional questions. Don’t forget to click submit!

3. Pay the application fee

The application fee of €100 is non-refundable and entitles you to apply for up to three programmes within the same academic year. The €50 application fee for Leiden University College is separate from the main application fee. 

What happens next?

  • The Admissions Office will start processing your application once the application fee has been paid and inform you of any missing items.

  • Admissions decisions are made in 6-8 weeks on average.  

  • If you are informed that your application has been successful, congratulations! 

  • The next step is to actively accept your offer. Follow the instructions given.

  • Complete your enrolment by paying your tuition fee. 

  • Follow the instructions concerning visa (if applicable) and other registration details.

  • Register for the Warm Welcome Arrival Days and the relevant orientation week.

  • Welcome to Leiden University! See you soon!

Check out all details
Visa and residence permit

If you come from a non-EU/EEA country, you will need a visa and/or a residence permit. Our staff at the Admissions Office will apply for these documents on your behalf. They will contact you once you have been admitted to a master’s programme, have applied for or secured accommodation, and after you have submitted proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your study period.

universiteitleiden.nl/visa

‘After high school in Venice, I first went abroad for one and half years in the USA. 
I always hoped I would become a curator at Venice Biennale or at Documenta, a big art exhibition in Berlin. To accomplish this and my focus on art in the contemporary sphere, I chose to study Arts, Media and Society in Leiden. My grandparents are from the Netherlands and I thought reconnecting with these roots would be nice. Leiden University has great rankings and interesting programmes.

After arriving in Leiden, I was lucky to be able to participate in the OWL week, the introduction week for international students. This week full of social activities makes entering the university community very easy. I still see the people from my group! I also signed up for the SKC student volleyball association. It was nice to be able to play in a student team, but it was also challenging since most of the other students were Dutch. In the beginning it was hard to get into conversation, but with some confidence I managed to turn conversations into English. I am now part of the volleyball student committee that organises integration activities for new students.’

Alessia Zanon
Loves to play volleyball