The Master’s in Korean Studies at Leiden University offers a unique opportunity to conduct graduate level research, on various aspects of pre-modern and contemporary Korea, and to spend a full academic year at a university in South Korea.
The two-year Korean Studies programme has a maximum of 12 places; the Admissions Board ranks the requests on the fulfilment of the Admission Requirements. The application deadline is 1st of April for all students.
It is also possible to focus on Korean Studies as part of the two-year Research Master’s programme in Asian Studies and the one-year East Asian Studies programme. East Asian Studies and the Research Master have no restriction on the number of available places.
Why study Korean Studies at Leiden University?
Leiden University opened the first centre dedicated to Korean studies in Western Europe in 1947. This centre has since gone from strength-to-strength, with academics participating in high-profile research projects around the world. The Korean Studies master’s, a specialisation of the MA Asian Studies, capitalises on this expertise in every way, bringing you a master's programme that is on par with the world's very best. This master's offers students an expansive curriculum from which to choose and subsequently customise their learning. Study South Korea from diverse disciplinary perspectives – at times using original source materials – from its religion and popular culture to its modern and contemporary history. Enrich your learning with access to the world-class resources of the Leiden University Library and its famous collection of Asian artifacts.
Study in South Korea
Two semesters of your degree will be spent studying at one of our partner universities in South Korea. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in South Korean culture, language, and society, while developing a host of new skills that will prepare you for real-world success after your master's degree.
Our alumni can be found working within multinationals such as banks, insurance companies, and government bodies. Others have followed paths into consultancy, management, journalism, PR and marketing, tourism, and education.
A centre of expertise on languages and cultures of the world
When it comes to languages and cultures, Leiden University is the university. The global expertise present places our university at the top. In Leiden and The Hague, we study languages and cultures from all regions of the world and from prehistory to the present day. In this way we create a broad view of the world; the key to mutual understanding.
Video: Our experts on Languages and Cultures explain
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Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to develop their area of expertise.
World-class education
Leiden University's Faculty of Humanities consistently ranks among the top 30 humanities faculties worldwide by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Here, you can access resources found nowhere else in the world, such as Leiden University's famous collections of Asian artefacts; learn from researchers whose expertise spans all corners of Asia and all aspects of its many languages, traditions, and cultures; and choose from an expansive curriculum that includes specialised subjects not available elsewhere.
Close, individual tuition
At Leiden, we take a student-centred approach to learning. Teaching takes the form of small-scale lectures, seminars and tutorials, where every student has the opportunity to participate in debates. A high level of focused attention from lecturers keeps you engaged and on track to meet your goals, while a flexible programme format means that, whatever your interests or career goals, our faculty members can help you customise the programme to meet these requirements.
Access to the Humanities Hub labs
As a Humanities master’s student you will have access to the Humanities Hub which comprises labs with digital facilities for both students and researchers. The labs include an AI Lab, Media lab, film studio and podcast studio and give you the opportunity to develop your digital and media skills within the field of the humanities. Check the Humanities Hub page for a full list of all the labs and facilities.
Humanities Hub Leiden
An excellent start to your career
Our reputation as a centre of excellence means that your qualification is respected by organisations worldwide. Our graduates enjoy successful careers thanks to their broad and global mind-sets, specialised and in-depth knowledge, and strong critical-thinking skills.The success of our alumni speaks for itself: our graduates are equipped to solve the challenges facing society now and in the future.
Diversity and inclusion
We are convinced that our education can only flourish if everyone within the programme feels supported, respected and empowered to do their best work. We find it important to offer a learning environment that allows for different perspectives and points of view that students bring with them, depending on their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, health, religion, age or socio-economic background. Every new generation sees the world from a new perspective – and our students are the newest generation. We look forward to hearing more about your perspective. Leiden University has been pursuing diversity policy since 2014, with the aim of creating a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment for all staff and students.
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The two-year master's in Korean Studies, a specialisation of Leiden University’s master's in Asian Studies, offers a large and varied selection of subjects and the freedom to choose the areas upon which you will focus.
Programme structure
The first semester of the programme is held at Leiden and consists of the following courses:
The core course Introduction to Asian Studies that explores the place of Asian Studies in the larger field of Area Studies and among the many disciplines represented in Asian Studies;
Electives with a focus on Korea;
Advanced Korean language courses.
You will be free to follow a variety of academic courses – known as Master Classes in Asian Studies and State of the Field seminars. These include classes in:
History (modern and pre-modern)
Politics and International Relations
Philosophy
Religion
Literature
Social science
Linguistics
Two semesters of your degree will be spent studying at a university in South Korea, where you will follow relevant courses in your chosen field of research and conduct research for your MA thesis. The purpose of this study trip is to strengthen your language skills while developing your understanding of the country and its society.
The Faculty of Humanities offers a partialscholarship to reduce costs (and travel expenses) for the year in Korea for each applicant who has been admitted to the programme. This is not a full scholarship but only a partial contribution to your expenses in Korea.
Upon your return to Leiden, you will continue to develop your language skills while developing knowledge in your area(s) of specialisation. Our goal is that, by the time you are ready to write your MA thesis, you will be in a strong position to integrate your language and academic skills to the point where you can use primary sources written in Korean as part of your research.
You are free to choose the topic of your thesis from any field supported within the department – although we recommend that the topic closely mirrors one or more of the classes you followed while in South Korea. Your thesis supervisor will be available to advise you. Currently the department can supervise theses from the following specialisations:
History
Philosophy
Religion
Literature
Politics and International Relations
Anthropology
Sociology
Linguistics
Material Culture
During the final stages of the programme you will concentrate on honing your language skills to a level that can be applied in your professional life (post graduation). This includes, for example, learning how to use language in a legal, commercial and political setting.
For a more detailed programme, see the Prospectus.
Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may slightly differ.
Admission and Application
Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme?
Get the most out of your studies at Leiden University by taking part in our extracurricular activities.
Asian Studies study associations
The Asian Studies department has four study associations related to the BA and MA programmes in Asian Studies: Siitaa (South and Southeast Asian Studies), SVS (Chinese Studies), LVSJK Tanuki (Japanese Studies), and S.V.K. Dokkaebi (Korean Studies). These associations organise educational and social activities such as parties and film nights, lectures, workshops and much more. Joining a study association is a great way to get to know fellow students and teachers outside of the academic setting.
Leiden Leadership Programme
Are you interested in developing your leadership potential? The Leiden Leadership Programme (LLP) is an Honours Programme specifically developed for ambitious master's students at Leiden University and the Delft University of Technology who recognise the importance of leadership abilities. The LLP offers in-depth training sessions, assessments, seminars, and the creation of a Personal Leadership Roadmap – a five-year plan for reaching and developing your leadership potential.
Study at the Academy of Creative and Performing Arts
The Academy of the Creative and Performing Arts (ACPA) is a research institute and part of the Faculty of Humanities. The ACPA offers education such as electives, and talent programmes such as the Practicum Artium (PA), which gives you the opportunity to study photography, graphic design or drawing, and the Practicum Musicae at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, where you can study classical music, singing, early music or jazz. Find out more about ACPA.
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Remco Breuker is a historian of Korea and Northeast Asia, who works on medieval Korean and Northeast Asian history and on contemporary North Korean affairs. Other interests are Korean cinema, Modernity and Central Asian history. View his full profile here.
Dr. J.h. Park
Jin Hee Park is an university lecturer for Korean Studies. Her research themes are Korean syntax, critical discourse analysis, second language acquisition in Korean, and teaching Korean as a foreign language. View her full profile here.
Dr. E.G. Paskaleva
Elena Paskaleva is assistant professor in critical heritage studies of Asia and Europe. Her current research focuses on the material culture of Central Asia, and in particular on the history and socio-political importance of Timurid architecture. View her full profile here.
Our alumni can be found working within multinationals such as banks, insurance companies, and government bodies. Others have followed paths into consultancy, management, journalism, PR and marketing, tourism, and education.
Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:
Secretary at an Embassy
Policy Officer at a ministry
Communications adviser
Coordinator of an Asia desk
Coordinator of a Korean trade mission
Export consultant on Korea
Junior policy officer, political and international relations
Manager of a translation and interpreting agency
Marketing Officer
Travel consultant on Korea
Sales manager Korea
Interpreter of Korean
Translator of Korean
Research Master
If you have ambitions to pursue a PhD position or career as a researcher outside of academia you can apply for the two-year Research Master in Asian Studies on completion of the programme.
Maaike de Vries
Graduated in Korean Studies (MA Asian Studies)
"Last year, immediately after graduating the 120EC Korean Studies master, I started a dual degree PhD in Korean Studies and History of Medicine/Drugs. I decided to enroll for that specific master because I wanted to continue academic research."
A solid base for PhD research
"Although there is a research master that prepares you for a PhD track, I decided to enroll for the Korean Studies track instead. Mainly because I wanted to improve my Korean language skills and take courses at a Korean university. The master gave me a solid base for PhD research. It taught me to critically engage with primary and secondary sources (in both Korean and English) within and outside my field of interest, and it introduced me to core works in the field of Asian Studies. It also gave me the opportunity to study in South Korea."
Building my academic network
"In Korea, at Yonsei University, I enrolled in a course on Cultural Studies. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the professor who taught the course now turns out to be one of the most important individuals for leads to primary sources I need for my PhD research project. So coincidentally, deciding to do the master has helped me to start building my academic network as well."
In which sector do students find jobs?
26 %Government and semi-government
14 %Education
12 %Financial institutions
7 %IT
7 %Culture, sports and recreation
5 %Industrial sector
5 %Research
5 %Consultancy
5 %Information management
14 %Other
Career preparation
Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
At Leiden University, we give you the tools to become a powerful critical thinker with a strong and relevant knowledge base. Graduates of the master's in Asian Studies understand the key academic approaches taken within Asian Studies across multiple disciplines, and how to use these concepts to conduct quality research. They have a wealth of practical and professional skills. These qualities amount to a highly attractive package for future employers.
Do you consider to put your knowledge into practice during your studies? Determine whether an internship could be an option for you. Start orientating your possibilities by visiting an internship information session. This way you can receive information about the internship procedure and listen to tips of former interns.
Notice that you will search for an internship yourself to find a place of your interest. Do you need some help with this or the application process? Do not hesitate to contact the Career Service. When you have found an internship, inform us. Then, the internship coordinator advises you how to proceed and provides your internship plan with feedback so it can be submitted for approval to the board of examiners.
Admission and Application
Find out how to apply for Korean studies at Leiden University by following our step-by step guide.
This specialisation is part of the MA in Asian Studies. If you would like to apply to this programme please first select the MA Asian Studies (CROHO code: 60840) in Studielink and then select Korean Studies.
Step-by step guide
This guide clearly explains the steps you need to take to apply, and the subsequent admission process.
To be eligible for Korean Studies at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.
Diploma requirements
You are eligible to apply for the MA Asian Studies: Korean Studies (120 EC) if you have:
A bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree;
Knowledge of the nature and role of as well as the ability to analyse and report on academic inquiry in the humanities or social sciences; and
Completed components at bachelor’s level (which may include the thesis) equivalent to at least 30 EC (or equivalent) on at least three out of these six disciplines: history, art, culture, politics, society or economy of one or more East Asian countries or regions.
Fundamental knowledge of pre-modern and modern Korea;
Knowledge of Koreanist traditions and understanding of disciplinary-methodological issues.
Sufficient command of Korean, at level TOPIK 4.
Please note that because an important distinguishing aspect of the programme is advanced language acquisition in Korean, this specialisation is not suitable for native speakers, and for students with a higher TOPIK level.
In addition, you also have to meet the following qualitative admission requirements:
Good grades comparable with an average mark of at least 7.0 (Dutch grading system) for the entire bachelor’s programme, and a grade for the bachelor’s thesis of a 7.0 or higher (Dutch grading system), and
Demonstrable motivation to study and suitability for the particular MA programme/specialisation, and
Good academic writing skills: the ability to write a well-structured essay/paper on a topic in the specific field of the specialisation in English.
A good academic record must be shown by a transcript of records/grade list (including the grade of the Bachelor’s thesis and/or average grade).
Your motivation should be demonstrated by a well-argued and structured motivation letter in which you indicate why you want to follow the MA programme, and show clear understanding of the content of the study programme, specifically listing two courses of the current study programme (from the Prospectus) and explaining why these appeal to you. The statement should be between 700 and 1,500 words.
Good academic writing skills should be demonstrated by a Writing Sample.You should submit a 1,250 word essay as part of the admission process:
in this essay you must demonstrate a clear affinity with and specific knowledge of Asian studies in general and specifically in the field of the specialisation for which you apply,
specifically, the essay must answer a research question, provide an argument that demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the topic of the essay.
Two letters of reference, of which at least one by an academic member of staff.
Applicants with a degree from a Dutch university of applied sciences (hbo) or equivalent are not eligible for admission to the Master’s and pre-master’s programme.
Language requirements
The following requirements apply*:
IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
We do not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 20 for each separate component.
We are not able to 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 English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.
Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.
*You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.
For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.
You should have sufficient command of Korean, at level TOPIK 4.
All applicants are requested to include in their dossier:
a letter from the head of the language programme they completed indicating that the candidates’ language proficiency is indeed comparable to this level, and
a detailed specification of the number of EC earned in language training.
Additional documentation may also be included.
Please note that because an important distinguishing aspect of the programme is advanced language acquisition in Korean, this specialisation is not suitable for native speakers, and for students with a higher TOPIK level.
Limited capacity
This programme has a limited capacity. A maximum of 12 places is available in September on this programme; the Admissions Board ranks the requests for admission on the fulfilment of the requirements below. Read more about the limited capacity below.
As mentioned above, Korean Studies has a limited capacity. The programme will make a selection on the grounds of the following criteria:
1. With regard to admission to the programme, the Admissions Board assesses the knowledge and skills of the applicants on the basis of the files they have submitted.
2. If necessary the Board can contact you by mail or telephone at any time during the admission procedure in order to gain further information.
3. The Admissions Board decides on the basis of this assessment
a. which applicants meet the entry requirements of the specialisation – if appropriate on the condition that they have been awarded their bachelor’s degree in time – and can in principle be admitted;
b. which applicants cannot be admitted because they do not meet the requirements.
4. The Board ranks the suitability of the applicants in category a to the specialisation of the MA programme on the basis of the files they have submitted, having regard to the qualitative admission requirements and, if the Board has requested this, the further information provided by the applicant.
Please note that Leiden University does not offer a pre-master's programme for Korean Studies.
All applicants must apply for admission before 1 April.
Please note: You must submit your application via Studielink and Leiden University’s application system (uSis), before the deadlines mentioned above.
Other deadlines
Leiden University reserves a limited number of rooms each year for international students. However, as the number of housing requests always greatly exceeds the number of rooms available, we strongly recommend that you also look into other housing options at the same time. Read more about how and when to arrange housing. If you want to request accommodation via Leiden University, submit both your application for admission and your housing request well before the deadlines! Accommodation is offered on a first-come first-served basis and is not guaranteed. You don’t have to await admission before requesting housing.
If you want to apply for a scholarship, grant or loan, please bear in mind that different deadlines apply, and these deadlines can often be earlier. Deadlines vary per scholarship. Visit the scholarship website for more details.
When you apply for admission, you’ll be asked to submit several documents.
Note: If you have a Dutch diploma that grants direct admission, you will generally not be asked to submit additional documents.
Required application documents
You’ll need to submit the following documents:
You can apply for admission before receiving the results of your English language test. However, a sufficient result will then be a condition of your eventual admission. Of course, if you already have your English language test results, you can upload them directly.
Digital copies of diplomas and transcripts are initially required. Once you have been admitted, we will inform you how to submit certified copies.
The documents must be in the original language. If they are not in English, Dutch, German or French, they must be accompanied by official translations into one of these languages.
If you have not yet completed your current programme, state your expected graduation date and submit copies of all transcripts obtained to date plus a list of subjects still to be completed.
Additional required documents - Korean Studies
This programme requires two letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from an academic member of staff.
Letters of recommendation must be written on letterhead paper, signed and (for verification purposes) they must bear the full contact details of the applicable referee.
Your referee should describe your skills, qualities and competencies.
Option 1. Uploading the letter yourself You can upload the letter(s) of recommendation in the online application portal (uSis).
Option 2. Sent by your referee Your referee can send the letter directly to the university, as follows:
1. Your referee must clearly state your name and student number in the letter.
2. He or she should send the letter to us, either:
digitally, by uploading the letter in our contact form
by posting it to:
Leiden University Admissions Office
Rapenburg 70
2311 EZ Leiden
The Netherlands
3. Complete this form and upload it in the online application system (uSis), instead of your letter of recommendation.
Your motivation should be demonstrated by a well-argued and structured motivation letter in which you indicate why you would like to follow the MA programme, and in which you show clear understanding of the content of the study programme, specifically listing two courses of the current study programme (from the Prospectus) and explaining why these appeal to you. The statement should be between 700 and 1,500 words.
All applicants are requested to add a written essay in English on a Korea related subject of app. 1,250 words. The essay should be your own work and should be written in English. We suggest that you discuss the topic that you intend to work on for your MA thesis Korean Studies. Please focus on your own approach, interests and the research you intend to do during the MA year in Korea and less on facts or references.
You should have sufficient command of Korean, at level TOPIK 4. All applicants are requested to include in their dossier:
a letter from the head of the language programme they completed indicating that the candidates’ language proficiency is indeed comparable to this level, and
a detailed specification of the number of EC earned in language training.
The application procedure is broken down into three parts.
Part 1. Application in Studielink
All students applying for a degree programme at Leiden University must start the application process in Studielink, the national online registration system for students wishing to follow a degree programme at a Dutch university. Studielink is open for applications from 1 October in the year preceding the academic year in which you wish to start.
1. Go toStudielink and enter your details according to the instructions provided. For this step you will need:
a copy of your valid passport or European ID card, or
Be aware! If you wish to apply for a specialisation of a master's programme: first select the master’s programme in Studielink, then select the specialisation for which you wish to apply in Step 4 (Institutional Questions) in Studielink.
2. Within two days you will receive:
an email with information on the next steps you'll need to take;
your university ULCN student account details (unless, of course, you already have a ULCN account)
the link to Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis)
After receiving your ULCN student account details, log into Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis), using the link provided. Here you can view the status of your application, which will be one of two possibilities.
1. You can be directly admitted
If your (Dutch) diploma grants you direct admission, Leiden University's online application portal (uSis) will let you know. The portal provides an overview of what you have to do to complete your application, for example arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances. Please follow the instructions carefully and proceed to step 3 Student registration.
2. You cannot be directly admitted: additional action is required
If you do not have a (Dutch) diploma that grants you direct admission, we will require additional documents to allow us to decide about your application. The online application portal (uSis) will tell you this and explain how to do so. See also Part 2: Admission to Leiden University.
Part 2. Admission to Leiden University
If you cannot be directly admitted, you must apply for admission via Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis). Please follow all steps below.
In our online application portal (uSis) you can finalise your application by uploading the necessary documents and answering a few questions. This portal provides an overview of what you need to do to complete your admission application. Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure to include all the items that are asked for. We strongly recommend that you complete your application well in advance of the application deadline.
All applicants with an international degree must pay a non-refundable €100 application fee, which entitles you to apply for up to three programmes/specialisations in the same academic year. We cannot start processing your application until we receive this application fee, so please pay it as soon as possible. The online application system explains how you can pay it.
Can I be exempted from paying the application fee? You do not have to pay the application fee if:
You are following, or have completed, a bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university (of applied sciences).
You have previously registered as an exchange, bachelor’s, master’s or pre-master’s student at Leiden University.
You have previously been admitted to the same degree programme at Leiden University, but you decided to postpone your studies. This does not apply if you are applying for a different study programme or specialisation.
You have refugee status in the Netherlands (with a residence permit for asylum).
Exemptions cannot be granted for any other reasons.
After you have submitted your application, the online application portal (uSis) will, if applicable, ask you if you want to apply for student housing, a visa/residence permit or a scholarship. Be sure to make a careful note of the relevant deadlines for these options.
After receiving your application fee payment (if applicable), the Admissions Office will check whether all the necessary documents have been uploaded and they will inform you by email whether any further items are required. The Board of Admissions of the faculty will then:
decide whether you meet the admission requirements for the programme;
strive to issue a decision on your completed application within four to six weeks of the University receiving it.
Once a decision has been reached you will be informed by email. You can view your admission status in the online application portal (uSis).
There are three possible outcomes:
You are admitted
You have met all conditions for admission.
You are conditionally admitted
You will be admitted, provided that you meet certain conditions. These conditions will be specified in the online application portal (uSis).
You are not admitted
The reason(s) for non-admission will be clearly stated in the online application portal (uSis). If you are informed that you have been (conditionally) admitted, you will have to take a number of additional steps.
If you are (conditionally) admitted, the Admissions Office will ask you to confirm whether you will join the study programme. You can do so in the online application portal (uSis).
1. Go to ‘Application study programme’ in the online application portal (uSis).
2. Open the ‘Confirm’ screen. Here you will see three options:
Yes, I want to study at Leiden University.
No, I no longer wish to study at Leiden University and hereby withdraw my application.
Maybe later; I do not wish to start this semester/academic year. I would like to receive further instructions by email.
The sooner the better
Confirm attendance as soon as possible, to avoid missing other important deadlines and information about your study programme.
Changing your mind
You can still change your mind if necessary, either in uSis or by contacting the Admissions Office master team.
Deadline final decision
Do you need a student visa or residence permit? You can only request one after confirming attendance. So make sure to confirm attendance before the visa/residence permit deadline.
If you don’t need a visa or residence permit, the latest deadline for confirming attendance is before the start date of your study programme.
Part 3. Student registration
If you’ve been (conditionally) admitted, follow these steps to register as a student at Leiden University:
Check in the online application portal (uSis) whether you need to submit any documents to meet the conditions of your admission. Instructions on how to do so will be provided in uSis.
Arrange the payment of your tuition fee before the official start date of your programme. You will receive instructions and information on the available payment methods by email.
If you are an international student, go to the Prepare your stay page of our website for information about the practical matters you should take care of before and upon arrival. These include, for example, arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances.
The tuition fee for this programme is €2,530 for the academic year 2024-2025 (statutory fee) and €2,601 for the academic year 2025-2026 (statutory fee).
This tuition fee applies if this is your first master’s programme and you are a national of one of the following countries:
Austria
Latvia
Belgium
Liechtenstein
Bulgaria
Lithuania
Croatia
Luxembourg
Cyprus
Malta
Czech Republic
Norway
Denmark
Poland
Estonia
Portugal
Finland
Romania
France
Slovakia
Germany
Slovenia
Greece
Spain
Hungary
Suriname
Iceland
Sweden
Ireland
Switzerland
Italy
The fee applies for both full-time and part-time study.
The tuition fee for this programme is €20,900 for the academic year 2024-2025 (institutional tuition fee) and €21,600 for the academic year 2025-2026 (institutional tuition fee).
If you are not a national of an EEA country, Suriname or Switzerland, generally speaking you will have to pay an institutional tuition fee. This fee applies for both full-time and part-time study.
However, if, on the basis of your Dutch residence permit, you are eligible for student finance from the Dutch education agency (DUO) you are entitled to pay the statutory tuition fee. Information on qualifying residence permits can be found at the DUO website.
Only applicable to EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese nationals.
The tuition fee for this programme is €16,300 for the academic year 2024-2025 (institutional tuition fee) and €16,600 for the academic year 2025-2026 (institutional tuition fee).
If you are following a second Dutch master’s programme you will generally have to pay an institutional tuition fee that is higher than the statutory tuition fee.
Exceptions
In some cases, nationals of EEA countries, Suriname or Switzerland may be permitted to pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee for their second degree programme.
Legal transitional arrangement for second bachelor's or master's degree: student pays the statutory tuition fee when:
Student has already obtained a bachelor's or master's degree but is starting a programme in the field of education or healthcare for the first time.
The student has already started a second bachelor's or master's programme before the first programme was completed and remains registered for it uninterruptedly.
Institutional transitional arrangement for a second bachelor's or master's degree: student pays the institutional tuition fee equal to the statutory rate) when:
Student has already obtained a bachelor's or master's degree, but is starting a teacher training programme.
After completing a bachelor's or master's degree at Leiden University, a student will subsequently start a second programme (in academic years).
Are you unsure which tuition fee applies to you? Consult our Tuition Fee Calculator.
Tuition fee if the pre-master's or conversion programme has less than 60 study credits (EC)
2024-2025
2025-2026
€42,17 per EC
€43,35 per EC
If the pre-master's or conversion programme has 60 study credits or more, you pay the statutory tuition fee of that college year.
Scholarships, grants and loans
Leiden University offers a wide range of scholarships for students from specific regions of the world, or for specific programmes. Leiden University also offers the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS), a programme specifically designed for non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a master’s programme. Find out more about scholarships, grants, loans and deadlines
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national and under 30, you may be eligible for a loan from the Dutch government to cover your tuition fees.
You’ve been accepted! Leiden University looks forward to welcoming you as a new student. Your next step is to prepare for your studies. Below you can find some tips to help you get a head start as you embark on your studies at Leiden University.
For international students
If you are an international student, a wealth of information can be found on the ‘Prepare your stay’ page of our website. This includes information about visas, housing, financial matters, what to arrange upon arrival, and much more.
For Dutch students
The ‘student website’ page on Leiden University’s student website contains information about practical aspects, introduction weeks and student associations. It’s also a handy source of study-related information and advice.
For detailed information about courses, schedules and reading materials, check out the Prospectus.
Sign up for the introduction week in Leiden (OWL) or The Hague (HOP)! It’s the best way to get acquainted with student life and the student cities of Leiden and The Hague.
Your student card is your proof of registration as a student of Leiden University. You can find your digital student card in the Leiden University app three days after your student registration is finalised. Read more about your student card here.
As soon as you receive notification that your student registration has been finalised you should apply for a Leiden University ID card, or LU-Card. It also serves as your library card, print & copy card and access pass. Read more about applying for an LU-card here.
Student life
Your time at Leiden is about more than just studying. Some of your best experiences will stem from being a part of our lively and diverse student community, as well as from life in the beautiful city of Leiden.
Study association S.V.K. Dokkaebi
As a student of the MA Korean Studies you can join the Study association S.V.K. Dokkaebi. This association organises social events and offers help with your studies. Want to know more about Dokkaebi? Check the website or follow Dokkaebi on Instagram.
Humanities Master’s Buddy Programme
The Humanities Master’s Buddy Programme has been set up by the Faculty of Humanities to help all students who are new to the university to integrate quickly and easily into university life. You will be matched to a buddy who can help you out with your academic and practical questions. Additionally you will be able to attend fun monthly activities and make friends from all over the world.
Leiden has several student organisations that specifically cater for international students. These associations organise regular social events and activities that help create the strong sense of community that exists within our international student body. The main two organisations are:
Erasmus Student Network Leiden (ESN) ESN Leiden is an international student organisation which hosts a range of activities and programmes. They also have a buddy programme which provides new students with the right support to assimilate into Leiden and the university.
AEGEE Leiden AEGEE is a leading European student association with sister organisations in over 40 countries across Europe. AEGEE organises many activities in Leiden, from dinners and pool nights to boat trips and guest lectures.
In August and February each year, Leiden University hosts the English-language Orientation Week Leiden (OWL), which welcomes both international and Dutch students. The OWL is an excellent way to get to know Leiden University, the city, and other students.
Life in Leiden
Picturesque and the perfect size, Leiden is the ideal place to spend your university days. The Faculty of Humanities is located within the heart of the city, where dozens of cafes, shops and bars line its historic laneways and leafy canals. Small enough to run into familiar faces, but big enough to keep offering surprises – you will treasure your time at Leiden. And for adventures further afield, the major cities of The Hague and Amsterdam are a short train ride away, along with Schiphol Airport, which is just half an hour away by train.
Our study and student associations organise a huge variety of social, cultural, and study events to keep you busy all year round. You can also join the University Sports Centre, which offers scheduled group sports and fitness classes, amongst other activities.
Information activities
Get to know us through our online and in-person events for prospective students!
Two speakers at the open day
Are you thinking about joining this Master's programme, and want to determine if it will be the right fit for you? Below, you can browse the events that we have coming up, and sign up to experience Leiden University and the programme for yourself. Alternatively, take a look at the Master Talks videos to find out more about the programme or check out our virtual campus tours!
Upcoming events
Master's Open Days
During the Master's Open Days you’ll have the opportunity to learn all about Leiden University’s master's programmes. Attend presentations about your chosen programme(s) or practical matters such as admissions and housing. Get real insight into the content of your preferred master's, along with the career opportunities it will bring.
On the Master Talks: programme videos platform you can find videos for each master’s programme. This includes a video which gives a short introduction to the programme. You can also find the recording of the previous Master's Online Open Days and watch the programme presentation on the platform.
Get to know the campus
Check out our virtual campus tours, filmed in 360 degrees – by dragging the video, you can look around at the surroundings yourself. Below is the video recorded at the Humanities faculty, where most of your lectures will take place; you can also view other 360 campus tours of the various university faculties here.
360 Campus tour: the Humanities faculty
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Questions about the application procedure, tuition fees and scholarships
Student Affairs Front Office
Phone: +31 (0)71 527 80 11
Email: Contact form
Or visit their website
Visiting address
Leiden: Plexus Student Centre
Kaiserstraat 25, ground floor
2311 GN Leiden
Monday to Friday between 11.00 and 16.00, Tuesday between 11.00 and 17.30.
Chat with a student
Do you have a question about studying at Leiden University or student life in Leiden? Do you want more information about the Asian Studies master's programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions!
