Leiden is a lively university city that’s brimming with history and boasts a student culture that’s tangible just about everywhere. Get a taste of what you can expect of Leiden as your future student city.
Situated at what has traditionally been an important junction where waterways and roads intersect, stands a city that will enchant you: Leiden. The city is famous not only for its university, but for its almshouses, museums and glorious history. Rembrandt was born here, and the city inspired many other influential painters. Over the centuries, Leiden continued to attract scientists, and artists. The canals, the historical buildings, the charming narrow lanes, the treasuries of knowledge, culture and science: Leiden is definitely worth seeing.
Leiden is renowned for its many student clubs and associations organised around sports, music and social life in addition to cultural associations. There are over 20 main associations, including the Erasmus Student Network. Clubs focused on mutual interests in music, photography, theater, MUN, different cultures, and more abound. Great for socialising, and making new friends, you’ll be in good company: even King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands was a member of a Leiden student association!
Leiden University has contributed to the city’s unique atmosphere for 450 years. The historical centre of Leiden is full of student unions and associations, student accommodation and university buildings. It is truly a student city.
Leiden University has contributed to the city’s unique atmosphere for almost 450 years. The historical centre of Leiden is full of student unions and associations, student accommodation and university buildings. It is truly a student city.
Leiden University has contributed to the city’s unique atmosphere for almost 450 years. The historical centre of Leiden is full of student unions and associations, student accommodation and university buildings. It is truly a student city.
Whether you are a member of a student association or not, Leiden’s vibrant city centre is the place to be if you want to relax or socialise. Enjoy a cool beer on the canal at Annie’s bar, order a legendary Rapen’burger at Barrera or let your feet do the talking on the dance floor at the Kroeg.
Parties are, of course, an inherent part of being a student, but whatever you do make sure you also see the wealth of sights Leiden has to offer. Its ancient canals, intimate courtyards and fabulous landmarks, such as the Pieterskerk, the Academy Building and the Burcht (Fortress) make Leiden pure eye candy.
Leiden is a winning combination of small and fun, yet big in character as a student city. Thanks to its compact layout it’s never more than a short bike ride from your accommodation to college, and you’re more or less guaranteed to meet someone you know along the way. What’s more, it’s also centrally located between the Netherlands’ main cities. With a little effort, you can cycle to the beach in 30 minutes, while Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht can all be reached within 45 minutes by train. Our second location in The Hague is only a 10-minute train ride away as well!
In the video series Feels like home, students talk to each other about their favourite spots in the student cities of Leiden and The Hague.
Student Michiel takes Veronique to the Hortus Botanicus, a place where Leiden University and a piece of history come together. Veronique tells how the movie Interstellar sparked her interest in Astronomy and after a look through the telescope in the Old Observatory she knew for sure: these are worth the more than necessary study hours (and discipline).
'I have always been fascinated by history and politics, and I love meeting people from different parts of the world. Growing up in Boston, U.S., I was exposed to a lot of diverse cultures, but studying in America can be prohibitively expensive. My parents are Italian, and they lived in the Netherlands for a while, my mother even speaks Dutch. Thanks to their stories and our visits to friends in the Netherlands, I already felt a connection to the country and its culture. This led me to explore universities in the Netherlands and through a Dutch family friend, I heard about the International Relations and Organisations programme at Leiden University at the campus in The Hague.
The Hague is a fantastic city for anyone interested in politics. The city hosts the International Criminal Court, numerous NGOs, and international embassies. It feels like the political heart of the world. Recently, I attended a meeting at the Dutch House of Representatives and it was surreal to see the politicians I usually watch on the news up close. Just the other day, I saw the president of Moldova driving through the city. The Hague offers diverse areas to explore with a variety of restaurants and great museums, yet it doesn’t feel as crowded with tourists as Amsterdam.'
Alec Kushmerek
Loves meeting new people
