Transferring from Applied Sciences to University

Are you currently enrolled in an applied sciences programme and are you considering a university master? At Leiden University you are more than welcome. A master at University will provide more depth in knowledge and you are able to specialise in a great number of areas of expertise. With the right kind of preparation, you are sure to make a success of your time spent in this master’s programme too.

Transferring from Applied Sciences to University

What you do after your diploma in applied sciences depends on your ambitions and interests. Many of your fellow students have succeeded you in registering for one of our pre-master programmes. We organise a number of information sessions to help you become acquainted with our programmes.  

Unfortunately, not all our master’s programmes have a pre-master programme.
Questions? Please contact the Study Line:
+31 71 527 1111
studielijn@leidenuniv.nl

Pre-master’s en minors

If you are unable to meet the admission requirements, in some cases it is still possible to register for a pre-master. We will get you up to speed on the topics you need to spend some more time on, to make sure that you are fully prepared to start your master.  

Another possibility is to register for a few minors in Leiden or The Hague that align with the master while you are still studying for your applied science diploma. You can sign up for one minor per year. Additional bonus: You also get to know the University. It is very important to take the time to think about a follow up to your applied sciences programme.  

Fair is fair, a lot of students from applied sciences are doubting whether they will be able to cope with the university level. Luckily, we see many applied science students excel during their university master. We also have student advisors and student deans to help you along the way.  

Difference between applied sciences programmes and academic programmes

• More theoretical: on the applied sciences level you are used to learning how to apply theory and knowledge in your profession. At university you are trained to be a researcher; you conduct a lot of research and learn how to generate new knowledge and information. 
• Critical way of thinking: you learn to prioritise the why-question over the what-question. 
• More depth: at university you have less courses but you dive deeper into the subject, while during an applied sciences programme you take a greater variety of courses.  
• Teaching methods: you have lectures and smaller scale methods such as work groups. At university you have less contact hours compared to an applied science programme and you are required to do more self-study.  
• Pace: the pace is higher. 
• Bilingual: a lot of master's are taught in English.