Why Leiden University?

High-quality education, a broad choice of courses, and an active international student life in Leiden and the Hague. Leiden University offers you the ideal basis for having the time of your life on an exchange or study abroad programme.

1. World-class university

Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and enjoys an excellent worldwide reputailt up over more than four centuries. We have high-quality personal education for hundreds of thousands of students since 1575. For many years, Leiden University has been among the leaders in Dutch university rankings and we can also to be found in many top international rankings.

2. Broad course offering

At Leiden University, all Master's programmes and many Bachelor's programmes are fully taught in English. The majority of our other Bachelor programmes also offer a selection of courses in English. This means that exchange students have a broad selection of courses to choose from, ranging from Sustainability to Asian studies, or from an honours programme in Global Challenges to computer science,  child psychology or Dutch studies.

3. International university

Master’s and many Bachelor’s programmes fully taught in English, international classrooms, students and lecturers from all corners of the world: Leiden University is truly an international university. We are members of several international networks of renowned universities, including the leading League of European Research Universities (LERU). So you’ll have plenty of opportunity to expand your own international network, something you will benefit from for your entire career. Going on exchange to Leiden University will help to broaden your worldview and give you a new perspective on where you come from as well.

4. Strong link to research

Leiden University is a leading European research university and we enjoy an excellent reputation as a multidisciplinary and research-intensive university.Our education is closely interwoven with scientific research and we are proud to count many top researchers amongst our academic staff.

5. Fun student cities: Leiden and the Hague

Leiden is a real student city. At least 10 per cent of the population are students, the city has over 20 student associations and its compact centre is full of cafés, many of which are popular haunts for students. The Hague, is the Netherlands’ fastest-growing student city, and as the seat of government and home to many consulates and international organisations, it boasts international allure. Although the majority of courses and programmes are offered in Leiden, in recent years the campus in the Hague (12 minutes by train from Leiden) has grown into a hub of internationally-oriented programmes. And like Leiden, The Hague is also centrally located among the Netherlands’ main cities.