Universiteit Leiden
Leiden, Netherlands • Founded 1575 • World Rank #109
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1575, the Universiteit Leiden (Leiden University) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Leiden (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), South Holland.
This institution also has a branch campus in Den Haag. Officially recognized by the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands), Universiteit Leiden (LEI) is a very large-sized coeducational Dutch higher education institution.
Universiteit Leiden (LEI) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 449-year-old Dutch higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
LEI also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Universiteit Leiden's campus address and the ways prospective students can reach the institution. For visa queries, contact the international student services office directly rather than central admissions.
Academic Details
The numbers behind Universiteit Leiden: student body, academic staff, and the recognising bodies validating its work. A baseline read for assessing institutional capacity and rigour.
Academic Structures
The colleges, schools, and faculties that house Universiteit Leiden's degrees are below. Clinical units and teaching hospitals are often part of medical schools, with separate governance arrangements.
Unit 7 items
- Faculty of Archaeology
- Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Medicine/Leiden University Medical Center
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Leiden Law School
Degrees
Postgraduate, 1-2 yrs. International Programmes. MA, MSc, Advanced LL.M, Mphil
Bachelor's 60 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- African Languages
- African Studies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Behavioural Sciences
- Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Classical Languages
- Computer Science
- Criminal Law
- Criminology
- Dutch
- Education
- Educational Sciences
- English
- Film
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Hispanic American Studies
- History
- Indic Languages
- Indonesian
- Islamic Theology
- Italian
- Japanese
- Jewish Studies
- Korean
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Mediterranean Studies
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Nursing
- Pedagogy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Private Law
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Law
- Religion
- Russian
- Slavic Languages
- Social Sciences
- South and Southeast Asian Languages
- Spanish
- Teacher Trainers Education
- Theology
- Tibetan
- Women's Studies
Master's 61 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- African Languages
- African Studies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Behavioural Sciences
- Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Classical Languages
- Computer Science
- Criminal Law
- Criminology
- Dutch
- Education
- Educational Sciences
- English
- Film
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Hispanic American Studies
- History
- Indic Languages
- Indonesian
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Islamic Theology
- Italian
- Japanese
- Jewish Studies
- Korean
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Mediterranean Studies
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Nursing
- Pedagogy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Private Law
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Law
- Religion
- Russian
- Slavic Languages
- Social Sciences
- South and Southeast Asian Languages
- Spanish
- Teacher Trainers Education
- Theology
- Tibetan
- Women's Studies
Doctoral 7 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Archaeology
- Arts and Humanities
- Law
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Political Sciences
- Social Sciences
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland.
Archaeology (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Archaeology
Humanities (Faculty) 34 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- African Languages
- African Studies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Art History
- Chinese
- Classical Languages
- Dutch
- English
- Film
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Hispanic American Studies
- History
- Indic Languages
- Indonesian
- Islamic Theology
- Italian
- Japanese
- Jewish Studies
- Korean
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mediterranean Studies
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Russian
- Slavic Languages
- South and Southeast Asian Languages
- Spanish
- Theology
- Tibetan
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Criminal Law
- Criminology
- Law
- Private Law
- Public Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
- Nursing
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social and Behavioural Sciences (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Behavioural Sciences
- Education
- Pedagogy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Social Sciences
- Women's Studies
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education (Graduate School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Educational Sciences
- Teacher Trainers Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Public Administration (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Public Administration
Programs Offered
Universiteit Leiden's teaching programmes are listed below — search or scan by level. International student eligibility varies by programme — some require additional language or visa-pathway checks.
238 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Netherlands
Bachelor's Degree 25 programmes
Showing 10 of 25.
Master's Degree 213 programmes
Showing 10 of 213.
How to apply to Universiteit Leiden
Five steps that capture how most applications to Universiteit Leiden flow, from research through submission to follow-up correspondence.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Use the programme finder to browse Universiteit Leiden's 238 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Programme-level requirements at Universiteit Leiden typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Get your documents ready
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Universiteit Leiden processes applications through www.universiteitleiden.nl. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Reach out and track your application
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +31 (71) 527 8011. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Universiteit Leiden
Quick reference for Universiteit Leiden: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.
When did Universiteit Leiden open?
Universiteit Leiden traces its founding to 1575 (approximately 451 years ago).
Where can I find Universiteit Leiden?
The institution is located in Leiden, Netherlands.
Is Universiteit Leiden a public or private institution?
Universiteit Leiden operates as a public institution.
How many students does Universiteit Leiden have?
The institution has a student body of 30,000-34,999.
Where does Universiteit Leiden stand in university rankings?
Universiteit Leiden is ranked #109 globally and #6 in Netherlands.
What programmes are available at Universiteit Leiden?
Universiteit Leiden delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
How is Universiteit Leiden organised academically?
The institution comprises 7 academic units.
Is Universiteit Leiden officially recognised?
Yes, Universiteit Leiden is recognised by Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland.
Where can I learn more about Universiteit Leiden?
You can find Universiteit Leiden online at www.universiteitleiden.nl.
Top-Ranked Universities in the Netherlands
Top universities in the Netherlands typically offer the most generous institutional scholarships. Universiteit Leiden's scholarship range relative to these benchmarks reflects funding capacity.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Membership renewal cycles for European University Association (EUA) create periodic quality reviews. Recent renewals or admissions to the network signal currency of standards — older memberships may need re-examination.
Faculties at nearby universities
Public transport hubs near Universiteit Leiden affect access to all the universities below similarly. Major transit nodes often correlate with where the cluster of institutions is densest.
Where Else to Study Humanities & Cultural Studies
Programme-level scholarships for Humanities & Cultural Studies students vary substantially across the Netherlands institutions. Often the less-marketed scholarships are the easiest to secure for qualified applicants.
Universities Compared with Universiteit Leiden
Looking at Universiteit Leiden through a comparison lens? These universities share similar academic positioning and are commonly considered against Universiteit Leiden during the application process. Cross-comparison helps clarify the institutional fit beyond ranking signals.
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