Study in the Netherlands (in English) - ISEP Exchange
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Experience Leiden, a place filled with picturesque water canals, enchanting castles, historic artifacts, and luscious green gardens.
• Leiden University has been offering high-quality education for students since 1575! Study in English at one of the oldest universities in Europe and live in this friendly, student-centered college town.
• Connect with a campus known for providing extensive support to its vast student community, who make up 10% of the entire population of the city of Leiden!
LIFE ABROAD
Explore the beauty of Leiden while biking along the breezy seashore, near monumental windmills, or through brick-lined streets surrounded by tulips. Join the tight-knit campus community. Academic buildings are spread out throughout the city, which helps students integrate into the town and experience life like a local.
LIVE
ISEP Direct students are able to select their own housing from a list of recommended options on the Leiden University website. ISEP Direct students should expect to budget about $2250 for one semester for housing. ISEP Exchange students typically live in in the Smaragdlaan building through DUWO, and the cost is included in their Exchange fees.
DINE
Leiden is known as having the best street food market in the Netherlands and particularly is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth! Taste the world-famous stroopwafel (syrup-filled waffle) or enjoy an appelgebak (apple tart) between classes. Mouth-watering savory dishes like frikandel (a tasty sausage) are also a must-try while living in Leiden!
EXPERIENCE
Take a free “Dutch and More” class offered by Leiden University to become more familiar with student life and some basic Dutch phrases. There are also ample opportunities to connect with the local campus community by joining a sports or student association!
EXPLORE
After class, take a scenic bike ride to enjoy a drink at a bar on the canal, have a legendary “Rapen’burger” at Barrera or go dancing alongside locals! Check out popular places for students to hang out such as the international movie houses and cabaret bars. Plus, Leiden’s proximity to Amsterdam and Brussels makes it easy to book a flight or train ride to access bucket list locations throughout Europe.
THRIVE
Maintain or start a fitness routine by visiting the University Sports Center, which is also a great place to make social connections! Adjust to a new academic culture with the help of a student support center that offers workshops and courses to help improve skillsets needed to thrive in a new educational environment. Support is available to those seeking resources for functional or learning disabilities as well.
What We Love About Leiden
Leiden provides opportunities to easily explore Europe, while also having a charming and student-centered city to call a home away from home. The city has endless architectural, historic, and cultural beauty and is home to open-minded and positive community members.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
At Leiden University, most of their academic programs are taught in English. Students have a broad selection of courses to choose from, ranging from Sustainability to Asian studies, or from an honors program in Global Challenges to computer science, child psychology, or Dutch studies.
The Honors program is a unique, interdisciplinary program that invites students to explore complex scientific or social issues together and identify solutions by leveraging a diversity of disciplinary and cultural perspectives.
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn 24-30 ECTS which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 12-15 U.S. Credit Hours. Most courses are either 5 or 10 ECTS. There are some exceptions in the STEM courses.
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Sample Classes Available:
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History |
Psychology |
Social Sciences |
International Relations
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Area Studies |
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Foundations of Political Economy (Y1 Course) |
Personality, Clinical, and Health Psychology (Y1 Course) |
Foundations of Political Economy (Y1 Course) |
Politics of the European Union (Y1 Course) |
Environmental Science |
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World Archaeology (Y1 Course) |
Social and Organizational Psychology (Y1 Course) |
Cultural Studies (Y1 Course) |
Global Justice (Y2 Course) |
Conservation Biology |
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World History (Y1 Course) |
Stress, Health and Disease (Y2 Course) |
Sociolinguistics (Y1 Course) |
International Law and Human Rights (Y2 Course) |
Energy and Resource Management |
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Cultural Interaction (Y2 Course) |
Psychometrics (Y2 Course) |
Area Culture & Language (Y1 Course) |
Actors in World Politics (Y1 Course) |
Soils, Sediment, and Society |
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
Study abroad students must take a minimum of 15 ECTS and no more than 30 ECTS per semester. One ECTS is equivalent to about 28 hours of work per week. This includes required lectures and required discussions that complement the lectures. It also includes readings, preparing for tests, exams, and writing papers. Courses identified in the 100-300 level are bachelor level courses. 400 and above are advanced bachelor or master level courses. Grading is A-F.
More grading information can be found here.
Comparison of Dutch, UK and US Grading System
Students should be entering their third year of study at the time of application. Most courses are intended for students that have completed basic coursework (at least four or five courses) in their field of study prior to exchange.
Semester One (Fall Semester) Students: Please note the examination period for Semester One extends into the start of January. Class instruction ends in mid-December and exams take place throughout January. Students are expected to remain on program through all exams. It may be possible for students to arrange to take exams early once courses have finished. However, students are responsible for making all arrangements with their instructors to sit for their exams before their departure. Early departure can never be guaranteed.
ISEP recommends that students do NOT register for any psychology courses in the second period of their semester. Exams in the Psychology department often run past ISEP program dates and ISEP cannot guarantee any housing for the additional dates leading up to the exam period in that specific department.
ISEP students may take a maximum of 15 ECTS with the Law Faculty.
Students interested in studying at the Hague Campus should request additional information from their ISEP Student Services Officer.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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