Industrial Ecology (MSc)
Student life
Your time at Leiden and Delft 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 these beautiful cities.
Life in Leiden
Quaint, picturesque and the perfect size, Leiden is an idyllic place to spend your university days. You will soon become familiar with the dozens of cafes, shops and bars that line the leafy canals, as well as its year-round line-up of cultural events. For visits 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.
Within the university’s student community, 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.
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 to meet other students.
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New to the city and the university? Take part in the best introduction to the city, the university and your faculty: The OWL! Enjoy this week of fun, music, culture, sports, games and making new friends. It will be an unforgettable start of your studies! -
Our Hortus botanicus is a place where science is conducted, but it is equally popular for studying or relaxing. Come visit it! -
Leiden is a lively, compact and safe city which is appreciated by national and international students alike. Everything is in reach within a 15 minutes bicycle ride. -
The city is located centrally between Netherland's biggest cities like Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Rotterdam, all easily reached by public transport. -
Enjoy strolling through the narrow cobbled streets and become familiar with the dozens of cafes, shops and bars that line the leafy canals.
IESA Shift
IESA Shift is the Study Association for the Master of Science in Industrial Ecology at Leiden University and Delft University of Technology. Shift aims to bring IE students closer to the academic and professional field by organising workshops, excursions and other events with various firms and professionals, and provides study support and additional course materials for all members to aid them in their studies. Besides these career and study-based activities, Shift also organises various social events and gatherings throughout the year.
Science Buddy Programme
The Science master’s Buddy Programme has been set up by the Faculty of Science to help all international students who are new to the university to integrate quickly and easily into university life. Through the programme you will learn everything you need to know about the university, the student community, and the practical side of life in Leiden. Your buddy is your first connection in the Netherlands and can help you to find your way around. A few weeks before the start of your studies, you will get an invitation for the programme. After signing up, you will be matched to a student preferably from your own study programme.
Leiden University Green Office and GreenTU
• Leiden University Green Office (LUGO) is Leiden University’s sustainability hub. LUGO is working hard to make Leiden University more sustainable. They want to do this by reducing the ecological footprint of University Leiden and by creating awareness about sustainability amongst staff and students. The LUGO board consists of student members. Please see their website for more information.
• GreenTU Delft is a student organization (part of TU Delft University Corporate Office) devoted to stimulating sustainability in education, research and university operations. GreenTU connects students to researchers, teachers and campus operators, with the goal of improving the sustainability performance of TU Delft as a whole. Read more about GreenTU’s sustainability initiatives on their website.
LDE Centre for Sustainability
The Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability is an interdisciplinary research centre in which three Dutch universities join forces: Leiden University, Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam. The centre aims to provide research-based innovations for a circular economy by connecting science with practice. Their Circular Innovation Hubs form the core of the centre. Within the Hubs, the centre works together with committed stakeholders, students and scientists on the challenges and opportunities surrounding the transition towards a circular economy. Please check their website for more information.
Sustainable Business Battle
The Sustainable Business Battle (SBB) connects students with local organizations driving sustainable change. SBB is an annual sustainability-focused business case competition where interdisciplinary teams compete to deliver the most innovative and practical sustainability solution to authentic sustainability challenges. For more information, see the following website.