Education

Everyone can study at Leiden University, at all stages of life: as undergraduate, master or doctoral students in Leiden or The Hague, or short courses with a choice of interesting and diverse subjects. In fact, by sitting in front of a computer at home, now you also take part in free online programs such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) .

Higher education in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has various types of higher education institutions. The two main institutions are research universities and universities of applied sciences.

Research universities offer research-oriented programs within an academic environment. While the university of applied sciences offers programs that focus on the application of theory and practice, where the university tends to be more practically oriented than the programs offered by research universities and prepare students for certain professions.

Leiden University is the oldest research university in the Netherlands and provides quality assurance on the programs offered and all its lecture programs are ensured to have international standards.

The time to take a study program from Leiden University is: 

• Bachelor: 3 years 
• Master: 1 or 2 years 
• PhD: 4 years

Other modes of study

Leiden University offers a variety of unique courses and study formats in which you can expand or deepen your knowledge or share your expertise. The choice of academic courses is very diverse, ranging from law, language and linguistics to mathematics and natural sciences, biology, biomedical sciences and education. 

The courses are open to anyone who has the right education and experience.

Find more information about other modes of study at Leiden University.