For admission to the premaster, it is essential that the gap between the previous education and the master's specialisation can be bridged with a programme of no more than 60 EC.

Below you can find an overview of previous education programmes that can grant admission to the premaster, divided into 3 groups, containing programmes from University of Applied Sciences (HBO) as well as programmes from Research Universities (WO).

1. Previous education programmes that grant admission to the premaster programme:

• HBO Maatschappelijk Werk en Dienstverlening, MWD (in Dutch)
• HBO Pedagogiek (in Dutch)
• HBO Sociaal Pedagogische Hulpverlening, SPH (in Dutch)
• HBO Toegepaste Psychologie, TP (in Dutch)
• WO Pedagogische Wetenschappen (in Dutch)
• WO Psychobiologie (in Dutch)

2. Previous education programmes that grant permission provided that Psychology forms a substantial part of it (minimum 60 EC):

• HBO in Social Work (in Dutch)
• WO Algemene Sociale Wetenschappen (in Dutch)
• WO Criminologie (in Dutch)
• WO Gezondheid en Maatschappij, WUR (in Dutch)
• WO Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics, PPLE
• WO Urban Studies
• WO from University College & WO Liberal Arts and Sciences (UU), track Cognitive and Neurobiological Psychology, or track Social, Health, and Organisational Psychology.
  Students from a University College and students with a Liberal Arts and Sciences (UU) degree may be eligible for a shortened 1-semester premaster programme, depending on the subjects chosen in the bachelor's programme.

3. Other previous education programmes

Please note that only programmes in a related field as the above-mentioned programmes from points 1 and 2 are eligible, provided that Psychology forms a substantial part of this programme (at least 60 EC).
Is this the case for your previous education programme? Then you can apply for the premaster programme and your admissibility will be assessed.
Is your previous education not related to the above-mentioned programmes? Then you are not eligible for the premaster programme.

Please note: Only students who have completed their bachelor degree at a Dutch institute of higher education are eligible for admission to Leiden's pre-master's programme in psychology. Students without a Dutch bachelor's degree, cannot be admitted to Leiden’s pre-master’s programme in Psychology.

We advise students to rectify deficiencies in proficiency in English and/or mathematics before 1 May. All deficiencies must be rectified before the start of the programme.

Mathematics

Because the pre-master’s programme includes many modules based around methodology and techniques/statistics, students are required to have a basic level of competence in mathematics. Students on the Psychology course must be able to work at VWO (‘pre-university education’) level. If you do not have a VWO diploma but you do have a HAVO (‘higher general secondary education’) diploma with a transcript including a pass in mathematics (based on the average of school examinations and the central written examination), this is also sufficient. If you do not have either of these, you have a deficiency and we strongly advise you to take the course in mathematics offered by the Psychology department in the period from January to April.

Please note that the deadline for submitting an application for admission is 1 April. This means that you have to submit your application for admission before the course in mathematics is concluded.

Download

Brochure informatie wiskundecursus (in Dutch)

For questions, please contact: premasterpsychologie@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

English

Prospective students should have proof of thorough proficiency in English by means of one of the following tests:

• IELTS overall 6.5
• TOEFL (internet based) overall 90
• Cambridge English Exam CPE/CAE overall 180

For detailed information about which English qualifications are accepted, as well as the relevant exemption criteria, refer to English language proficiency.

Variant A

Students who hold an accredited Dutch HBO bachelor’s degree from the abovementioned list (see: Previous education) will be admitted to the Variant A pre-master programme once they have passed the Academic Competences test.

Variant B

Students who hold an accredited Dutch academic bachelor’s degree (WO) from the abovementioned list (see: Previous education) provided that Psychology forms a substantial part of the course, are exempt from the Academic Competences test and will be directly admitted to the Variant B pre-master programme.

The candidate will have two hours to study a scientific article written in English and to answer a number of open questions relating to this article. There is no possibility to resit the test (even in the following year). Candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree from a university programme are exempt from the test. The test costs €100. Candidates who need to take the test will receive an invoice for this amount.

The Academic Competences Test, will be held op Friday June 6th 2025. Time and location will later be disclosed to the candidates.