Incoming exchange forms and transcripts
As an international exchange student at Leiden University, you might need to have additional forms completed upon arrival or before leaving. Also find out how to arrange and intepret your Leiden University transcript at the end of your stay.
This information is intended only for international exchange or study-abroad course students at Leiden University. It is not intended for degree students.
Erasmus forms
Exchange students coming to Leiden University via an Erasmus+ agreement might need to have forms signed during their stay. These could include, for example, your learning agreement, an arrival form or a departure form.
Erasmus forms generally need to be signed by the Erasmus coordinator at your host faculty. Contact your incoming exchange coordinator for details.
Don't wait till you last day!
Need to have a departure form signed before going home? Don't wait till your last day in the country, as you might run into problems if your coordinator is away that day.
Other forms
If you are not an Erasmus student and have forms that need to be signed, contact the international programmes officer who helped you through the admissions process.
Obtaining your transcript
Once your courses have been graded, you can download a digitally certified transcript via Leiden University's online application portal (uSis). Note that your uSis access will expire 60 days after you finish your last course at Leiden University, so make sure to download your transcript in time.
Steps to take:
- Log into uSis
- Open the relevant study abroad/exchange application
- On the ‘overview’ screen, select 'transcript’ (last option at the bottom of the page)
- Click on the ‘generate transcript button’
Note: on the transcript screen you can see a record of each time a transcript has been downloaded, either by you or by your Leiden University exchange coordinator.
Providing transcripts to your home university
Be aware that you are responsible for providing your home university with a copy of your transcript. Leiden University will not automatically do this for you. If your home university has any questions about your transcript, they are welcome to get in touch with the relevant Leiden University incoming exchange coordinator.
Requesting transcripts later or hard copies
Do you need an additional digital transcript but can no longer access the online application portal (uSis)? Or do you need a certified hard copy of your transcript for official purposes? If so, send an email to:
- Erasmus exchange students: your Leiden University incoming exchange coordinator.
- Non-Erasmus students: exchange@sea.leidenuniv.nl
Please provide the following information in your email:
- Your Leiden University student number
- The semester and academic year you studied at Leiden University
- Whether you want the transcript to be sent by email or post
- For transcripts by post, also let us know:
- The postal address
- How many transcripts you need
- For multiple transcripts: whether they can be put together in one large envelope or must be placed in individually sealed envelopes within the large envelope.
- We will automatically send your transcript by regular post. If you want to receive it by courier service, please arrange and pay for this yourself, then send us the details.
Dutch grading
The Dutch marking system runs from 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding). The lowest pass mark is 5.5 (minimum pass); marks 9 and 10 are rarely given.
- 10 outstanding
- 9 excellent
- 8 very good
- 7 good pass
- 6 sufficient
- 5,5 minimum pass
- 5 and lower, insufficient
- P Pass (or V = voldoende)
- F Fail (or O = onvoldoende)
- WD Withdrawn
- I Incomplete (may still be completed according to Departmental guidelines)
Leiden University College uses the letters A to F for its grading: A, B and C are passing grades.
Credit system (ECTS)
Our credit system is based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The normal full time study load for a semesters is 30 ECTS, and 60 ECTS in a year. A full Bachelor degree consists of 3 years of 60 ECTS each, 180 ECTS in total.
One study credit (EC) is equivalent to 28 hours of work and includes lectures/tutorials, reading, preparing for tests, exams, the writing and assessment of papers, etc.
Course levels
Each course/project is assigned one of six levels from 100 to 600. This range covers everything from introductory work to original research.
- 100, 200 and 300 are bachelor level courses
- 400 is either advanced bachelor or master level
- 500 and 600 are master level courses.
Further information
Erasmus+ forms
Erasmus students leaving at the end of their studies usually need to have a departure form signed by the Exchange Coordinator. Students can visit the Archaeology incoming exchange coordinator for a signature.
After your stay - Archaeology master's in Leiden?
If you wish you could stay with us a little longer following your exchange programme, have a look at our one-year master's programmes in Archaeology (MA /MSc) or our two-year research master's programme in Archaeology (RMA).
All master's programmes at Leiden University are fully English-taught. As an exchange student, you have had the advantage of being able to try out several different areas of study. You have also had the opportunity to meet a number of our professors and instructors. If you choose to apply to a master's programme at Leiden, those factors can help you make a more informed decision.
Applicants who have previously studied at Leiden University, including exchange students, are not required to pay the application fee. All information about the programmes on offer and the application process can be found on master's in Leiden. If you have any questions, you can of course ask our Exchange Coordinator who can point you in the right direction.