Program Terms:
Spring Semester & Academic Year
Overview:
Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities. With a focus on student success and employment, Leiden encourages skill-based classroom activities that provide students with both the information and the practical application experience they need to enter their field of choice. From the Leiden Study System, which provides all students with mentors and support throughout their time at the university, to an international approach that views students as part of a global community, life at Leiden is an important step for students on their way to success.
Since the late 1990s Leiden University has been located in two cities: Leiden and The Hague:
Leiden, a historical city with 123,000 inhabitants, became home to the first Dutch university in 1575 and many of the University buildings are still located in its picturesque city centre. It is a lively, compact and safe city – attributes that are much appreciated by national and international students alike.
There are plenty of diversions if you want to take some time off from studying. You could, for example, take a boat trip on one of the city’s many canals, or just relax in one of its parks. The North Sea coast, with its sandy beaches, is also very close. And, of course, there are the countless popular festivals and cultural events that are organised in Leiden throughout the year.
The Hague is a cosmopolitan city with around 500,000 inhabitants, drawn from over 100 nationalities. Renowned as the International City of Peace and Justice, the city hosts some 160 international organisations and NGOs, including the International Court of Justice and several UN bodies. Furthermore, as the seat of the Dutch government, The Hague is steeped in history, which can still be savoured today on its streets and squares near the Houses of Parliament and many other historical buildings. The education and research activities offered by Leiden University in The Hague are centred around four clusters themed on: International Law; Peace and Security; Politics and Public Administration; Urban Issues; and Health and Care.
Much of Leiden University’s scientific education and research in The Hague directly reflects the work of the countless organisations and institutions in the city. These include the Dutch Parliament and ministries, national and international courts, European institutions, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, embassies, and many diplomatic and other legal and social institutions. The close proximity of these institutions and organisations is of substantial added value to the University and its scientists and students, as well as to these institutions and organisations themselves.
With its many parks and beaches within cycling distance, The Hague is also a relaxed city where you will enjoy studying and living. It boasts an excellent art house cinema, several theatres and venues for both popular and classical music, and many wonderful museums, including the famous Mauritshuis. All this, and more besides, make The Hague a great city in which to live, work and study.
Academic Details:
LU offers seven different faculties to students, including Archaeology, Governance and Global Affairs, Humanities, Law, Medicine/Leiden University Medical Center, Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The Faculty of Humanities, in particular, which includes Asian Studies, History, and International Studies, is a strong fit for exchange students as many of the courses in these subjects are offered in English. LU takes a teaching approach that is characterized by small-scale classrooms, contact with diverse cultures, and innovative teaching methods.
LU has recently established three programs that may be of interest to exchange students: Security Studies (available since 2018), International Relations (offered since 2019), and Urban Studies (offered since 2020). All three of these programs are taught completely in English.
Housing Details:
Like many universities in the Netherlands, Leiden University does not have a central campus or student dormitories. Instead, their facilities are spread throughout the cities of Leiden and the Hague and students live in accommodation rented via housing organizations and landlords. Prospective students should start to explore ways of finding accommodation well before arriving in the Netherlands to begin their studies. In general, students are expected to arrange their own housing.
The Leiden University Housing Office does reserve a limited number of rooms for international students each year, but due to high demand and limited availability, the Housing Office cannot guarantee accommodation to all applicants. Leiden University therefore strongly recommends to sign up for housing through the Housing Office whenever the system is open (information will be shared once students are selected). (Source: Leiden University Study Abroad/Exchange Information Sheet – 2021-2022)
Eligibility:
- Junior standing
- 3.2 cumulative GPA
