Dutch diplomas

The following Dutch diplomas grant direct admission. However, you still need to participate in the selection process.

• a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) diploma*
• a propaedeuse from a University (WO)
• a final Bachelor/Master diploma from a Dutch institute of higher education

* This isn't the case for students with a VWO-diploma obtained in Aruba, Saint Martin and Curaçao and students with a VWO-diploma obtained before 10-10-2010 in Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba. In this case you have to apply for admission.

Have you obtained another Dutch diploma? Then you need to apply for admission using the university's Online Application Portal (uSis):

• Students with a HBO propaedeutic diploma or Dutch Associate Degree from a University of Applied Sciences must apply for admission. In addition they should have:
  • Mathematics at VWO level, a passing final grade in the written central state examination at the havo level or the internal Mathematics test of the Institute of Psychology. For more information about our mathematics course or which other tests we accept as proof of mathematics proficiency, please see our mathematics brochure (in Dutch).
  • English at VWO level. For the Dutch-language programme, a pass for the subject of English on the HAVO diploma is sufficient. For the English-language programme an English test must be done. Results may not be more than two years old.
• Dutch students who apply via Colloquium Doctum can find information in Dutch.

Note: in the uSis-submenu Admission (under Application Study Programme) you must click the button 'I want to submit an application' to be able to upload all the required documents and submit your application in uSis.

International diplomas

You can be admitted with an equivalent of a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) diploma. Our Admissions Office has drawn up a list of common non-Dutch diplomas that generally meet the minimum academic requirements. If your diploma is not on this list you may still be admitted. You will receive more information on this once you have submitted your application in our Online Application Portal (uSis).

The level of mathematics that we require is pre-university level. The general rule is that you should have taken mathematics throughout your entire high school career. The Admissions Office will assess your level to see if you meet the admissibility requirements.

As this study programme is taught in English and all study activities must be undertaken in English, it is essential that you have a good level of proficiency in written and spoken English.

You do not need to submit an English proficiency test if you:

• have obtained a Dutch VWO diploma
• have obtained a bachelor’s or master’s diploma from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO) or a Dutch university
• have completed your secondary or higher education in the USA, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada), Singapore, South Africa or Malta.
• have obtained an International Baccalaureate™ Diploma (IB DP) taught in English or with English A HL.
• have obtained a German Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur) and English was included in your final year at least at Grundkurslevel.
• Exemptions can also be granted on the basis of certain other educational diplomas. Check our diploma requirements list to find out whether your diploma might entitle you to an exemption.

If none of the above apply to you, you must provide proof of proficiency by means of one of the following tests. You must arrange the test yourself.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test. Leiden University accepts three kinds of official tests:

• IELTS - Academic modules only, on paper or on computer. Minimum score of 6.0 overall and 6.0 for  each separate component
  • We do not accept IELTS Academic online
  • We do not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
• TOEFL Internet Based. Minimum score of 80 overall and 20 for each separate component
  • We do not accept the TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only:
    You are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
  • We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™  or institutional tests such as ITP.
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency in English or Cambridge C1 Advanced English, with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

Also see general language requirements for additional information.

Submit your results in time!

We recommend that you complete the English proficiency test by 15 January. It is however possible to submit your results at a later time. Please note the test scores cannot be older than 2 years at the time of the application deadline.

More information about the language requirements for the Dutch programme