Leiden University
Description
Leiden University is a public research university located in Leiden, Netherlands. It was founded in 1575 by William of Orange, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. Leiden University is one of the most prestigious universities in Europe and the world, and it is ranked among the top 100 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings.
Leiden University offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in a variety of disciplines, including the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The university is also home to several research institutes and centers, which conduct cutting-edge research in a variety of fields.
Leiden University is a good option for prospective students who are looking for a high-quality, research-intensive education in a European country. The university offers a variety of programs that are relevant to the current job market, and it has a strong focus on academic excellence and internationalization. Leiden University is also located in a beautiful city with a rich history and culture.
Here are some of the key benefits of studying at Leiden University:
- High academic standards
- Strong research culture
- International focus
- Wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs
- Beautiful city of Leiden to live and study in
Student Life
There are various international student associations at Leiden, including ISN which arranges mentor programs, activities, trips, drink nights, and parties, and Leiden United which works toward the integration of international students into mainstream Leiden student life. Other student associations include social groups, music/art groups, and study associations (which are connected to the student's department and offer social and academic opportunities). A nine-month membership costs just 17 euros a month at the university sports center.  They offer fitness facilities, tennis courts, a pool, and 46 different sports/fitness, classes! These include everything from basketball, gladiator workouts, soccer, Irish dance, kickboxing, dance, volleyball, piloting, pole fitness, hula hoop, judo, mindfulness, and more. In addition, there are several student sports associations at Leiden. Leiden University College: Fortuna is the student association at LUC. They organize cubs, sports, happy hours, galas, film festivals, philanthropy, and more. UCSRN are the student competitions (sports, talent, other) held against other University Colleges in the Netherlands. LUC conducts an orientation week for new students each year and LUC students can also participate in the orientation week at the main campus in Leiden. Since LUC students are Leiden students this orientation provides them with information about the different clubs and services they can be a part of at the main campus, which is a short 10-minute train ride away.
Housing
The Student and Educational Affairs office helps arrange housing for first-year international students.  It is not guaranteed and works on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Housing is located either in the Hague or Leiden and single rooms usually cost between 350-600 euros per month, depending on the location and whether facilities are private or shared. International Studies students can choose to live in the Hague or Leiden.  The classes are held in the Hague, but the towns are a short 12-minute train ride. There is also housing exclusively used for first-year Psychology students.  Most rooms are singles with shared facilities and range from 360-450 euros per month. Leiden University College: LUC students are required to live on campus for the first two years of study, so housing is guaranteed. I was able to visit these rooms and they are amazing! The rooms are on the top floors of the LUC building, which is only five years old and in great condition. Most rooms are large single rooms with their own kitchenette and bathroom. There is a large floor-to-ceiling window with wonderful views of the Hague. Each floor has a shared lounge/eating area and an RA. Single rooms with private facilities cost around 560 euros a month.
Bachelors Programs Offered
Masters Programs Offered
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Notes
Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is the oldest college in the Netherlands.  It is about 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam, and 10 minutes from the Hague.  I fell in love with the town of Leiden.  The canals, windmills, and architecture made me feel like I was walking through a postcard. It’s a very safe city.  Crimes of opportunity occur (like bike theft), but violent crime is pretty much unheard of. The campus is decentralized and has various buildings throughout the town, but the town is compact and easy to get around.  Each department (which they refer to as a faculty) has its own building which houses classrooms, professors' offices, study spaces, a cafeteria, the program’s student association, and study advisors. In addition to the program-specific supports and groups, students also have access to the International Student advisors and other resources at the university level.  The university does a great job at making resources available, but students must be proactive in seeking out the help they need. Leiden plans to add new English-conducted programs each year.  Next year’s possibilities include Art History, PPE, and Cyber Security.  We will update the programs as soon as it is official. Leiden University College: Leiden University College is the honors, international, liberal arts program through Leiden University. Students study and live in the Hague, but have access to all of Leiden's facilities a short 12-minute train ride away. I am so glad that I arranged a visit to this school, as I think it provides some incredibly exciting opportunities. The modern building is located literally right outside of the Hague Central train station. The building was built for the LUC and is just five years old. I was impressed right when I walked in. An entire wall in the lobby is covered with a vertical garden, which is representative of one of their 4 themes-sustainability. The lobby also holds a student lounge, a student-run bar, and the offices of Fortuna, which is the student association at LUC. The other themes include the global challenges of peace and justice, prosperity, and diversity. Students get a taste of each of these themes during their first year and declare a major from one of the themes before their second year. Each semester is split into two 8-week blocks and is taught in classes of less than 20 students. The exception to that is the global challenge courses in the first year which have large weekly lectures along with a weekly small group discussion which is led by a professor. Global Citizenship is also a required component of the program and occurs during the second year. This requires students to choose a language, citizenship course, or community project. I was most impressed with the level of resources and support available for the students. Each student is assigned to an academic tutor. This is a professor from their major who helps guide their study plan. Each student also has a student adviser to help with practical matters. There are also RA’s for each floor, a student life office, as well as student life counselors who are available four days of the week. In addition, the program helps students find internships. Internship opportunities that are aligned with the program are abundant in the Hague and have included placements with international organizations, embassies, NGOs, and the international courts in the Hague.
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1 Review on “Leiden University”
We heard so much about Leiden University that we had to visit on our Netherlands tour. The Bachelor programs taught in English (when we visited in the spring of 2021) seemed more aligned with humanities. Our boys were more interested in seeing the campus for potential master’s degrees down the line as they have a wide range of Master’s Degree programs available.
The campus is spread all over the city and some buildings in The Hague but the cities are easily connected and the buildings around Leiden are easily accessible on foot or bike. Our boys really wanted a centralized campus and Leiden didn’t really fit that but walking between buildings on the beautiful canals and historic squares made us slowly fall in love with this bustling city.
As dual EU citizens, the tuition at Leiden is a great deal for EU Nationals but on the higher side for Internationals (for the EU). We talked to the housing office and they have a similar program to The Hague UAS where you pay a fee (between 200-300 euros) if you are a first-year international. That gets you in a pool to reserve a room if you are on top of it on the opening date of booking. That fee does not go toward your room. It is simply to get you into the pool but in our experience, it worked so it was well worth it.
Leiden University is prestigious for the Dutch and because it is the oldest university in The Netherlands, it is storied and many families have gone there for generations. We went to a few student association tours and they were predominantly Dutch and felt like fraternity and sorority houses.
The city felt very affordable in terms of groceries and well connected by public transport. We loved the Sunday afternoon vibe and the lively café and boutique culture. The city has it all and it is beautiful. Who knows, we may have master’s students there someday as both boys are now getting their bachelor’s in The Netherlands.