If you are currently enrolled at one of Leiden University’s partner institutions, you can apply for an exchange semester/year in Leiden. This has the advantage that you will pay tuition fees only at your home university. Leiden University participates in the Erasmus+ programme and the International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP). In addition, we have bilateral agreements with over 70 distinguished partner institutions. Leiden University currently offers exchange opportunities in nearly 20 fields.
We recommend that you contact the exchange (or study-abroad) coordinator at your home institution to determine whether you are eligible to participate in an exchange programme.
If there is no exchange agreement between Leiden University and your home institution, you have the option to apply for a Study Abroad programme for one or two semesters instead. Within this context, you will be able to create your own programme or choose a selection of courses taught in English to match your academic background and interests. Alternatively, you can also participate in programmes that are especially tailored for students with a particular interest in law, Dutch language and culture, or biomedical sciences. Leiden University does charge tuition fees for these programmes.
Leiden University offers a number of international summer schools that vary in terms of the field of study, aim, subject, duration and academic level of participants. A basic knowledge of the field of study is required, so it is best to check all requirements.
Leiden University offers a selection of Massive Open Online Courses taught by renowned lecturers and professors. These courses are provided through Coursera, an education platform that partners with top universities and organisations worldwide. MOOCs are free and can be taken by anyone who is interested.
Leiden University has an excellent reputation around the globe as one of the leading institutions for science and academic research. Especially in my academic field Leiden University is one of the leading universities dealing with the History and Culture of the Middle East. The University holds one of the biggest collections of Arabic and Turkish manuscripts in Europe and provides excellent teaching in English.
For someone who is used to live in big city’s Leiden is surprisingly small in first place. But over time I enjoyed the cosiness of Leiden and was accustomed to it very quickly. The small cafes and shops give the city their very own character. The fact that the university faculties are spread all over the city helped me to explore Leiden much quicker. The ability to study, have fun, and do sports in various places make Leiden a great student city!
Bera Elyesa Topkara
Middle Eastern Studies
