The master's in Assyriology, a specialisation of the Classics and Ancient Civilizations programme, at Leiden University provides you with a multidisciplinary study of the languages, literatures and cultures of ancient Mesopotamia and Anatolia.
Why study Assyriology at Leiden University?
The master in Assyriology is a one-year programme that gives you the opportunity to study with internationally acclaimed academics immersed in the latest research and engaged in actively expanding our knowledge of the field. Your teachers are not only experts in languages and cultures of the ancient Middle East, but also active researchers engaged in innovative projects that constantly build bridges between cutting-edge research and the courses in your programme. The programme offers basic and advanced language and script training in the three major languages that were written in cuneiform (Akkadian, Sumerian and Hittite). You will be able to tailor your study programme to your personal interests by creating your own combination of courses from the Assyriology programme or from other programmes within the Faculties of Humanities and of Archaeology.We encourage all our students to work with original clay tablets, kept at the Netherlands Institute of the Near East in Leiden. As a student of Assyriology you can join research programmes at one of our partner universities – including SOAS, University College London, Heidelberg, Würzburg and Münster.You may also benefit from the collaboration of classicists from different Universities in the National Research School in Classics (OIKOS).
As a graduate of an MA in Classics and Ancient Civilizations at Leiden University you are qualified to work as a junior academic researcher in an academic environment or carry out further research work on a PhD programme. It is also possible to find employment within the fields of publishing or teaching, at policy-making departments of governmental bodies, within the education sector, or within cultural tourism.
Leiden University provides ambitious students with the most recent and innovative areas of knowledge, and offers them the freedom to develop their own area of expertise.
A top-ranked programme
At Leiden University research and teaching are directly linked to each other and form an inspiring and intense study environment. Therefore, Leiden University's Faculty of Humanities consistently ranks in the top 30 Humanities faculties in the THE World University Rankings.
An internationally recognised programme
Leiden University’s Assyriology programme has gained international recognition with the success of projects like the Altbabylonische Briefe in Umschrift und Übersetzung series and continues to draw funding for large collaborative projects such as the Impact of Migration project, directed by Dr. Jan Gerrit Dercksen and the Persia and Babylonia project, directed by Prof. Caroline Waerzeggers.
Benefit from our extensive network
In the Assyriology programme you will study with Leiden's top scholars in the field, as well as benefit from experts in our extensive international network. You have the possibility of studying in Istanbul, as well as at the Netherlands Institute for the Near East (NINO). You also have the opportunity to study research programmes at other top universities outside the Netherlands during an exchange at one of our partner universities – including SOAS, University College London, Münster, and Heidelberg.
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.
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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Classics and Ancient Civilizations covers one year and can be studied in four programmes, one of them is the Assyriology programme. When you choose to study Assyriology, you will both be guided through the broadness of Assyriological sub-disciplines, as well as gradually led to develop your own specific research skills.
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.
The MA CAC Assyriology comprises 60 EC, spread over two semesters.
Semester 1 In the first semester you will select three courses from the electives on offer in the Assyriology programme focusing for example on language acquisition (Akkadian, Sumerian, Hittite) or advanced readings of cuneiform texts, their epigraphy and their historical and archeological context.
Semester 2
In the second semester you will choose one course related to your research interests.
Thesis
You will conclude the MA in Assyriology by writing a thesis based on a research question or hypothesis of your own formulation. Your supervisor will be a member of our small but dedicated staff of active researchers.
Caroline Waerzeggers
Professor of Assyriology
"When you visit us at Leiden University, there is a big chance that you will find the students and staff of Assyriology reading and working together in the Middle Eastern Library. Even the most obscure publications in the field are on the shelves here. And the Library’s Special Collections section houses more than three thousand clay tablets from all paleographic phases of the cuneiform script that we can use in our classes. The nearby National Museum of Antiquities is another great place for hands-on education. Our staff’s expertise covers a variety of languages and cultures, spanning 3000 years of history, from Sumer to Babylonia and from Assyria and Anatolia. And our students? They come from all over the world and share the same passion for ancient Mesopotamia!"
Admission and application
Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme?
The Classics and Ancient Civilizations programme in Assyriology offers many extracurricular opportunities to enrich your study experience.
Pleyte study association
Pleyte is a study association of the BA in Ancient Near East Studies and the MA in Classics and Ancient Civilizations (specializations Assyriology, Egyptology and Hebrew and Aramaic Studies). Pleyte organizes both informative and social activities, such as monthly drinks with fellow students, film nights, lectures by teachers and students, ‘make your own cuneiform tablet’ workshops and much more. Pleyte is a great way to get to know your fellow students and teachers outside of the academic setting of classes or the library.
Research activities
MA students from the Classics and Ancient Civilizations (and research) programme can participate in research activities of the Ancient Worlds Network Leiden, which brings together staff and graduate students in the Leiden University Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) and the Leiden University Centre for the Study of Religion (LUCSoR) working on the ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern world. Expertise covers a wide range of areas and disciplines, including the study of Ancient Arabia, Assyriology, Coptic Studies, Egyptology, Hebrew and Aramaic Studies, ancient Iranian Studies, Papyrology, linguistics, the study of religions, and the history of philosophy and science. For more information, please visit the Ancient Worlds Network.
Other extracurricular opportunities
International archaeological field school and excavation
As a Classics and Ancient Civilizations (Research) student you will be invited to take part in an international archaeological field school and excavation on the Lake of Galilee co-organised by Leiden University.
Dutch National Museum of Antiquities
Many of our students have done internships at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities. The museum hosts exhibitions, conferences, and public events on the ancient world, including Mesopotamia and Egypt.
NINO lecture series
The Netherlands Institute of the Near East organises a lecture series and other events at a regular basis in which you can take part as well.
Ex Oriente Lux lectures and events Ex Oriente Lux is an association that promotes the Ancient Near East among a general public. It organises regular lectures and other events in Leiden and many other Dutch and Flemish cities.
Forum Antiquum lecture series Forum Antiquum is the lecture series of the Classics department. Lectures are organized every other week during the semester on Thursdays. Every semester, we invite a number of national and international speakers: both well-known experts and promising young researchers.
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.
Meet our staff
Dr. J.G. Dercksen
Jan Gerrit Dercksen is a University Lecturer at the Leiden University Institute for Area Studies. His fields of interest span the history of Mesopotamia and Anatolia, especially during the early centuries of the second millennium BC, the Old Assyrian and Old Babylonian periods. The focus of his research is on the Old Assyrian period. View his full profile here.
Dr. J.H.E. Krul
Julia Krul is University Lecturer in ancient Sumerian at Leiden University. As a researcher she specialises in the religion, cultic and magic rituals, scholarship, literature, and cultural history of ancient Mesopotamia. She has published several articles on diverse aspects of religious and intellectual life in the cities of Uruk and Babylon in the Hellenistic period (ca. 300-100 BC). View her full profile here.
Dr. W.J.I. Waal
Willemijn Waal is Senior University Lecturer in Hittite at the Leiden Institute for Area Studies. Her fields of interest span Hittitology, the late Bronze Age Anatolia, Ancient writing systems and early alphabetic writing. View her full profile here.
Prof.dr. C. Waerzeggers
Caroline Waerzeggers is Professor of Assyriology at the Leiden University Institute for Area Studies. She is an Assyriologist who focuses on the history of Mesopotamia in the first millennium BC. This was the time of Sargon, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and Alexander the Great. She is particularly interested in the establishment of the Persian Empire in Babylonia and the reactions that this process triggered among different social groups. View her full profile here.
As a graduate of an MA in Classics and Ancient Civilizations at Leiden University you are qualified to work as a junior academic researcher in an academic environment or carry out further research work on a PhD programme. It is also possible to find employment within the fields of publishing or teaching, at policy-making departments of governmental bodies, within the education sector, or within cultural tourism.
Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:
Policy officer for education
Conservator at a museum
Education officer at a museum
PhD candidate at a university
Research analyst at a consultancy firm
Teacher at an institute for special needs education
Policy officer at the provincial department of a political party
Chief desk editor at a publishing house
Sustainability project leader at a municipality
In which sector do students find jobs?
57 %Education
14 %Research
10 %Government and semi-government organisations
5 %Culture, sports and recreation
5 %Publishing and the book industry
5 %IT
4 %Other
Jolieke van ‘t Hoff
Graduated in Assyriology
"As a child, I was fascinated by antiquity. I was obsessed with Greek mythology and wanted to become an Egyptologist even then. So when I came across the Bachelor’s programme in Ancient Cultures of the Mediterranean World at Leiden University, my father immediately said: ‘This is really perfect for you!’ During my Bachelor’s programme, I had chosen the specialisation in Egyptology, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Assyriology, so I decided to make that my minor. This ultimately culminated in a Research Master’s in Egyptology, and a Master’s degree in Assyriology. What I enjoyed most was combining the two disciplines; that was really my niche. Plus, the atmosphere of the study programme is fantastic: it is small-scale, so you get to know your fellow students and lecturers really well."
I currently work as a sustainability project leader at a municipality where I am mainly involved in the heat transition. As a project leader, you have to do a lot of research: Is this feasible? How do I take this project one step further? And what effect will this project have? Thanks to the critical and interdisciplinary perspective I learned in my study programme, I can also look beyond the borders of this project, and try to discover and use as many leads as possible.
Career preparation
Find out how this programme prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
The development of in-depth knowledge in the field and the ability to think critically and analytically are key goals of this programme. The Classics and Ancient Civilizations programme introduces you to the concepts and academic approaches current in Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, including disciplines such as: linguistics, history, religious studies or material culture studies.
You will learn to use these concepts and approaches in researching and analysing source material. Your thesis gives you the opportunity to apply these methods in your own research.
We also provide opportunities for students to broaden their experience and professional skills in preparation to excel early in their chosen career. Many of our students choose to do an internship during their study. Internships are a great way to gain invaluable first-hand experience in your area of interest before you decide on making it a career. Our students have done internships at, among others:
the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities;
the Netherlands Institute of the Near East (NINO);
Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at Humanities Career Service provide all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV.
The Leiden University Career Zone is an online career portal that helps you to prepare for the job market. Here you can find information, tools and tips to help you gain more personal insight, learn about the job market, develop your application skills, plan your academic and professional career, find job vacancies and discover what the Career Service can do for you.
Join the Mentor Network to contact alumni with experience on the labour market and ask them for advice. More than 1200 alumni are happy to help you!
Jelle on finding an internship via Leiden University's Mentor Network
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Find out how to apply for Assyriology at Leiden University by following our step-by step guide.
This specialisation is part of the MA in Classics and Ancient Civilizations. If you would like to apply to this programme please first select the MA Classics and Ancient Civilizations (CROHO code: 60821) in Studielink and then select Assyriology.
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 Assyriology at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.
Diploma requirements
You are eligible to apply for the MA Classics and Ancient Civilizations: Assyriology if you have:
A bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in Ancient Near Eastern Studies/Ancient Cultures of the Mediterranean World: Assyriology; or
A bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree; and
Detailed knowledge at the level of an academic Bachelor’s degree of at least 30 EC in one of the following:
the grammar of the most important phases of the Akkadian, Hittite or Sumerian language, of the relevant scripts and of the historical development of the language and scripts;
the archaeology, the material culture and art history of the region involved;
the cultural history of the region involved, including its literature, its religion, its social structure and its material culture.
The Board of Admissions will assess whether your degree and background are sufficiently related to the level and content of a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in Ancient Near Eastern Studies: Assyriology on the basis of the requirements specified above.
Students with a Bachelor in Ancient Near Eastern Studies: Assyriology from Leiden University are directly eligible for admission. Students can apply in Studielink. There is no need to submit an application for admission using the online application portal.
If you have a bachelor’s degree from a research university that does not meet all the requirements mentioned above, you may be eligible for a pre-master’s programme tailored to your individual background. After submitting your application in Studielink, the Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be directly admitted to the master’s programme, whether you will first need to complete a pre-master’s programme, or whether your deficiencies are considered too extensive and you can therefore not be admitted at all. It is not possible to directly apply for a pre-master’s programme.
Once you have completed the imposed pre-master’s programme, you will be admitted to the relevant specialisation of the Master’s programme. Read more about the pre-master’s programme.
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.
Starting in February only applies for the academic year 2023-24. From 2024-25 onwards, it will only be possible to start in September.
Starting in September
Applicants who need a visa or residence permit or need to extend their residence permit must apply for admission before 1 April.
All other applicants must apply for admission before 15 May.
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 requirements specific to Assyriology
You are required to upload additional information: 1) about your acquired knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of the Master’s programme you are applying for and 2) about your acquired general academic skills. You can upload this format Questionnaire Master Application.
You can check the programme specific requirements regarding knowledge, understanding and skills on the Admission Requirements page.
The format includes the list of general academic skills which the candidate must possess in order to be admitted to the Master’s programme at the Faculty of Humanities.
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 pre-master's is a bridging programme for students who have applied for the MA Classics but who, according to the Board of Admissions, still have deficiencies in their educational background. Once you have completed the pre-master’s programme, you will be admitted to the relevant specialization of the Master’s programme.
Diploma requirements
Students with an academic bachelor’s degree in the Humanities or Archaeology from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch WO bachelor’s degree, who do not meet the admission requirements as specified for the master’s programme.
For students with a BA in Humanities or Archaeology this is a 30 EC programme, and for students with a BA in a different field the premaster’s programme consists of 60 EC.
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.
English language requirements
The English language requirements for a pre-master's programme are identical to the language requirements for the master's programme for which admission has been requested. These requirements must be met before the start of the pre-master.
Application procedure pre-master programme
In order to apply for the pre-master programme, you must first apply for the master’s programme.
After submitting your application for the master programme in Studielink, the Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be directly admitted to the master’s programme, whether you will first need to complete a pre-master’s programme, or if you’re not eligible for either programme because the deficiencies are too extensive.
Students who have been offered a pre-master programme, will find the procedure for the registration into the pre-master programme stated on their admission statement.
Start date
The premaster programme of 30 EC takes place in the first semester, starting in September. The premaster programme of 60 EC takes two semesters, starting in September.
More information
This pre-master is tailor-made. The Board of Admissions will decide based on your educational background what the pre-master should look like. The pre-master consists of bachelor-level courses and may include an academic skills course and/or a final assignment comparable to a bachelor’s thesis.
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.
Welcome and orientation programme
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.
The study association related to Classics and Ancient Civilisations is Pleyte. You may contact the study association via dispuutpleyte@gmail.com.
International Student Associations
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.
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.
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.
Social media
Learn more about Assyriology in Leiden on Facebook. On this page you will find Assyriology-related news, upcoming lectures held in Leiden and more about studying Assyriology in Leiden.
