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 

See ISEP Exchange budget and estimated expenses

Program Website

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: 

 
 
 
 
 
 

History 

 
 
 
 

Psychology 

 
 
 
 

Social Sciences 

 
 
 
 

 

International Relations 

 

 
 
 
 

Sustainability

 
 
 
 

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 

 
 
 
 

World Archaeology (Y1 Course) 

 
 

Social and Organizational Psychology (Y1 Course) 

 
 

Cultural Studies (Y1 Course) 

 
 

Global Justice (Y2 Course) 

 
 

Conservation Biology 

 
 
 
 

World History (Y1 Course) 

 
 

Stress, Health and Disease (Y2 Course) 

 
 

Sociolinguistics (Y1 Course) 

 
 

International Law and Human Rights (Y2 Course) 

 
 

Energy and Resource Management 

 
 
 
 

Cultural Interaction (Y2 Course) 

 
 

Psychometrics (Y2 Course) 

 
 

Area Culture & Language (Y1 Course) 

 
 

Actors in World Politics (Y1 Course) 

 
 

Soils, Sediment, and Society

Website for Course Availability

ISEP STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER Quiamony Gaskins 703-504-9963 | QGaskins@isep.org Thank you for your interest in ISEP Study Abroad! I’m your Student Services Officer and main point of contact here at ISEP. As you search for programs, I’ll be available to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact me at any point in your search process for help, tips or advice.

Leiden University

Study at one of the first universities established in the Netherlands! Travel by bike to classes, the library and cafes. Leiden University provides students with the opportunity to participate in...

Academics

Undergraduate
(in English)

Fields of Study

  • Area Studies: Recommended!

    African Studies Chinese Studies Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other German Studies Italian Studies Japanese Studies Korean Studies Latin American and Caribbean Studies Latin American Studies

  • Biology

  • Engineering

    Computer Engineering

  • English Language and Literature

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures:

    Arabic Language and Literature Chinese Language and Literature Dutch/Flemish Language and Literature French Language and Literature German Language and Literature Linguistics Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Turkish Language and Literature

  • History: Recommended!

    Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology European History Medieval and Renaissance Studies Museology/Museum Studies

  • International/Global Studies Recommended!

    International Relations and Affairs

  • Law/Criminal Justice

  • Natural Resources/Conservation:

    Environmental Science Sustainability Studies

  • Philosophy and Religious Studies:

    Philosophy Theological Studies

  • Physical Sciences

    Astronomy

  • Psychology Recommended!

  • Social Sciences: Recommended!

    Anthropology Sociology

  • Visual and Performing Arts:

    Art History Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management

Academic Requirements

  • U.S. GPA: 3 or higher
  • TOEFL iBT Score: 90
  • IELTS Score: 6.5

Special Application Instructions

Students will be expected to provide a transcript with a list of courses they are taking in the current semester with the official ISEP application. After being placed by ISEP, the student will be notified and asked to complete an internal Leiden application.

It is not possible for bachelor's students to take master's level courses.

PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible. 

VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT: Most students attending this program will be required to obtain a visa/residence permit. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.

Graduate
(in English)

Fields of Study

  • Area Studies

  • Biology

  • Computer and Information Sciences

  • English Language and Literature

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures

  • History

  • International/Global Studies

  • Mathematics

  • Philosophy and Religious Studies

  • Physical Sciences

  • Social Sciences

Academic Requirements

  • U.S. GPA: 3.2 or higher
    *accepts lower GPA with explanation
  • TOEFL iBT Score: 90
  • IELTS Score: 6.5

Special Application Instructions

Students will be expected to provide a transcript with a list of courses they are taking in the current semester with the official ISEP application. After being placed by ISEP, the student will be notified and asked to complete an internal Leiden application.

It is not possible for bachelor's students to take master's level courses.

PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible. 

VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT: Most students attending this program will be required to obtain a visa/residence permit. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.

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.

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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Leiden University

Leiden, Netherlands

(17)

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