Erasmus guide Leiden University
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Leiden University in Leiden, the Netherlands.
City
LeidenCountry
the NetherlandsInternational
More than 13,000 international students
Enrollment
Around 30,000 students across all faculties
Study abroad at Leiden University: overview
Study abroad at Leiden University for the Netherlands' oldest university: founded 1575, QS ~119, more than 13,000 international students. Strongest for law, humanities, international relations and sciences, with the trade-off that housing is genuinely tight relative to the city's small size.
Enrollment
Around 30,000 students across all faculties
International Mix
More than 13,000 international students
Why students choose it
Best for students who want the Netherlands' oldest university, strong in law, humanities and sciences, in a small, historic, low-stress canal city. The trade-off is a tight housing market and a split campus for science students between the historic centre and the Bio Science Park.
Language of instruction: Dutch (undergraduate degrees); English is the primary language for most master's programmes and many exchange-accessible courses
Exchange & application at Leiden University
Exchange runs through a fixed nomination window followed by an online uSis application where each course request is individually approved — plan course choices with your home coordinator before the window opens.
✅Requirements
Home university nomination, online uSis application, transcript, language proof, and — for non-EU students — a Dutch residence permit.
📨Nomination Process
Your home study abroad coordinator submits your nomination through Leiden's online nomination system within the fixed window (1 January-1 March for autumn; 15 July-15 September for spring).
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students need no visa. Non-EU students need a Dutch entry visa and residence permit, usually arranged with Leiden's support once admission is confirmed.
👥Buddy System
ESN Leiden runs a buddy programme and welcome events pairing new exchange students with local student volunteers.
🧭Orientation Week
Leiden runs a faculty-level orientation alongside ESN Leiden's international welcome week covering registration, housing and social introductions.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | January 1 - March 1 | Approximately 6 weeks after nomination closes |
| 2nd semester | July 15 - September 15 | Approximately 6 weeks after nomination closes |
Arrival Checklist
- Apply for university-linked or DUWO housing the moment your nomination is confirmed — Leiden's housing market is tight.
- Confirm whether your programme is based in the historic centre, the Bio Science Park, or The Hague campus.
- Register with the municipality (BRP) soon after arrival to receive a BSN (citizen service number).
- Buy or rent a bicycle in your first week — it is the default way to get around.
Academics & courses at Leiden University
Most master's programmes and many exchange courses are taught in English, though undergraduate degrees remain mostly Dutch — confirm your course list's language before committing.
📝Course Registration
Course registration happens through the uSis portal; each course request is evaluated individually by the relevant faculty before being confirmed.
🎓Credit System
ECTS — the Netherlands is fully aligned with the European Credit Transfer System, with a minimum of 15 ECTS required per exchange semester.
💯Grading System
Dutch 1-10 scale (10 is best, 5.5 is typically the pass mark); Leiden provides ECTS conversion guidance for exchange students.
✍️Exam Culture
Mix of written exams, essays and group projects; humanities and law rely more on essays, sciences on written exams and lab work.
📚Library Access
Leiden University Libraries include the University Library in the centre and dedicated faculty libraries at the Bio Science Park and The Hague campus.
Tuition & fees at Leiden University
Exchange students pay no Leiden tuition, only their home institution's fees; non-EU full-degree tuition varies significantly by programme.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 (pay home institution fees only) | Exchange students nominated through a partner agreement pay no tuition to Leiden University, only their home institution's fees. |
| Full degree – non-EU/EEA student | Approximately EUR 8,200-16,500/year depending on programme | Non-EU/EEA full-degree tuition varies significantly by faculty and programme level; EU/EEA students pay the statutory Dutch tuition fee instead. |
EUR 0 (pay home institution fees only)
Exchange students nominated through a partner agreement pay no tuition to Leiden University, only their home institution's fees.
Approximately EUR 8,200-16,500/year depending on programme
Non-EU/EEA full-degree tuition varies significantly by faculty and programme level; EU/EEA students pay the statutory Dutch tuition fee instead.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Leiden University
Apply for DUWO or university-linked housing the moment your nomination is confirmed — Kamernet is the competitive private-market fallback.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Leiden
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Leiden University
The International Office and ESN Leiden cover most day-to-day needs — use both in week one alongside registering for a BSN.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes for non-EU students and anyone with Dutch employment income; EHIC generally sufficient for short EU exchanges.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
No dedicated campus clinic; students register with a local huisarts (GP) through the Dutch healthcare system, with Leiden International Centre able to help with the process.
🧠Mental Health
Student psychologists and counselling are available through Leiden University's student support services, including English-language support.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Accepted for EU/EEA exchange students for the duration of their stay.
Dutch health insurance
~EUR 120-140/month
Required for non-EU students and anyone earning Dutch income; arrange soon after arrival.
Campus services
International Office
Central office handling exchange nominations, uSis applications and general international student advising.
ESN Leiden
Student-run Erasmus Student Network chapter organising buddy pairing, welcome week and social trips.
Leiden International Centre
City-and-university-run resource for housing, registration and daily-life guidance for international students.
Student life at Leiden University
Campus life concentrates in the historic centre for humanities and law, with a separate Bio Science Park campus for sciences and medicine.
Student Clubs
- ESN Leiden
- Faculty student associations
Buddy Program
ESN Leiden buddy programme pairs new exchange students with local student volunteers.
Sports & Recreation
- University Sports Centre (USC) — wide range of subsidised sports
- Rowing on the canals, a long-standing Leiden student tradition
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend faculty orientation for enrollment and course confirmation.
- Register your address (BRP) with the municipality to get a BSN.
- Buy or rent a bicycle and a good lock.
- Join ESN Leiden's welcome week for social events and the buddy programme.
Key exchange dates at Leiden University
Nomination windows are fixed and narrow (a two-month window twice a year) — miss it and you generally have to wait for the next intake.
-
1
Nomination window
January 1-March 1 (autumn) / July 15-September 15 (spring)
Home university submits nomination through Leiden's online system.
-
2
uSis application and course selection
Shortly after nomination closes
Student receives ULCN account, applies via uSis and selects at least 15 ECTS of courses.
-
3
Exam period
January / June
Written exams, essays and projects vary by faculty; confirm before booking return travel.