Approval and application
First check your exchange programme type!
Different deadlines and procedures apply depending on whether you want to apply for destinations via a university-wide exchange programme, via a faculty exchange programme, or (if applicable) via a special exchange programme only for students on your study programme.
- For destinations via a university-wide exchange programme: follow the instructions and deadlines here below on the general tab.
- For destinations via a faculty exchange programmes, or via a special exchange programme only for students on your study programme: click on your faculty or study programme tab and follow the instructions and deadlines there.
University-wide exchange
Deadline
If you want to go abroad via a university-wide exchange programme in autumn 2025 or spring 2026, you can apply until 23:59 on 1 December 2024.
Note that different deadlines apply if you are going abroad via a faculty or study programme-specific exchange programme. See your faculty or study programme tab for details.
Apply on time
Make sure your application is complete on time. Late applications will not be considered.
Requirements
To apply for a university-wide exchange programme, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are registered as a student of Leiden University;
- You have obtained at least 60EC of your bachelor’s programme;
- Your average grade is 7 or higher*. Doing a master’s but not yet received any grades? We will use your bachelor’s GPA instead.
- You meet any additional requirements specified by your faculty or programme (these can be found under your faculty or programme tab).
*Exception: for the ISEP programme an average grade of 6.5 or higher is required.
Steps to take
After looking through all the options in the world map, draw up a list of at least 5 (max. 10) universities where you would like to study, in order of preference. When doing so, be aware that some destinations are very popular so it is important that you take your Chances of placement into consideration.
Chances of placement
- You can see the Chances of placement for each destination in the world map under 'Important considerations’. This will be either high, medium or low.
- In your list, we advise you not to include more than 2 destinations that are classified as Chances of placement: low.
- Only select destinations that you would be happy to go to, even if they are not your first choice.
Letter of motivation
Download the motivation letter template, complete it (200 to 300 words per selected university) and upload it in uSis:
Second semester as plan B
Are you applying for the first semester but could also go abroad in the second semester (or vice versa)? Mention this in your letter by ticking the checkbox with the text 'Yes, I wish to be considered for a different semester if I am not selected for my first choice of semester.' Please note that it is important to discuss this with your study adviser in advance to make sure your study programme permits exchange in the second semester.
Transcript: only for master, LUC & joint degree students, and university studies elsewhere
In your online application you will be asked to grant us permission to view your grades in uSis. You therefore do not need to upload a transcript except in the following cases:
- Master's student: if you are master's student, upload a copy of your (Leiden or other university) bachelor transcript with GPA.
- Leiden University College (LUC): if you are, or have been, studying at LUC, request an official transcript with GPA from the LUC course administration and upload it in your application.
- Joint degree: if you are following a joint degree at Leiden University and TU Delft, request an official TU Delft transcript with GPA and upload it in your application.
- University studies elsewhere: if you have also studied at a university other than Leiden University, upload your transcript with GPA from that institution.
- Log into uSis > click on the study abroad tile > select ‘I want to study at a partner university via an exchange programme’.
- Enter the requested data and upload the required documents.
- Select your (max. 10) exchange destinations* in order of preference.
- Submit your application.
*Want to go abroad via the ISEP programme? Select ISEP as one of your exchange destinations in uSis.
If you need further explanation, consult the Manual on applying for university-wide exchange via uSis.
You may only go on exchange with the approval of your study programme. Once you submit your application, the international exchange coordinator will ask your programme to confirm its approval.
Note that the selection procedure has changed! See explanation below.
For further details and background, see University-wide exchange - Lottery procedure.
Once your programme confirms its approval, we will check you meet the eligibility requirements. We will also review your letter of motivation to make sure your study abroad plans are realistic and achievable and your choice of universities is well considered. If we have serious doubts, we may contact you to discuss your plans.
You will then be included in the selection process. For university-wide exchange, selection takes place via a lottery procedure.
Lottery procedure
- If there are sufficient places available for all applicants at your first choice of destination, you will be placed there.
- If there are insufficient places, these will be allocated via a lottery procedure. All students will be allocated a random ranking number via an automated programme.
- Starting with ranking number one, we will check if we can place the student at their first choice of destination. If not, we will try to place them at their second choice, then their third and so on. The same will be done for all students in order of ranking number.
If you are offered a place, you will be invited to log into the study abroad portal to view the details of the offered place. Make sure to read all the information and conditions of the offer carefully.
In the unfortunate event you cannot be placed at any of your chosen destinations, you will be invited to take part in a second selection round for the remaining available places.
If you have been offered a place, you must accept or decline it within 7 days in the uSis study abroad portal. If you do not accept the offer on time, it will be withdrawn. When accepting your place, you must agree to the Regulations on Studying Abroad. Be prepared and read these in advance. If you have any questions about the regulations, contact your international exchange coordinator.
Once you accept your place, Leiden University will nominate you to your host institution. You will then receive instructions on how and when to submit your application to your host institution, either from your international exchange coordinator or directly from the host itself.
First check your exchange programme type!
As a psychology student you can apply to go abroad either via the Erasmus+ exchange programmes of the Institute of Psychology or the university-wide exchange programmes. Find your exchange destination via the world map!
- For destinations via the Erasmus+ exchange programme of the Institute of Psychology: follow the instructions and deadlines here below.
- For destinations via a university-wide exchange programme: follow the instruction and deadlines on the general tab of this page.
Erasmus+ exchange programme of the Institute of Psychology
Deadline
If you want to go abroad in autumn 2025 or spring 2026, you can apply until 15 February 2025 at the latest. If there are any spots left, a new round will be held for the second semester. This second round will open on 1 May 2025, more information will follow.
Remember that different deadlines apply if you want to go abroad via a university-wide exchange programme. See the general tab on this page for details. For a complete overview of all the necessary steps in the study abroad process, please use this Checklist.
Apply on time
Make sure your application is complete on time. Late applications will not be considered.
Requirements
To apply for the Erasmus+ exchange programme via the Institute of Psychology, you must meet the following requirements before the above mentioned application deadline:
- You are enrolled at Leiden University;
- You have passed all first-year courses (propaedeuse);
- Your grade average is 6 or above.
Note: Some host universities require a GPA of at least a 7. This is indicated in the World Map under the relevant destination. This information may change during the year but will be made available no later than 1 month before the application deadline closes.
Requirements for application university-wide exchange:
- You are enrolled as a student at Leiden University;
- You have passed all first-year subjects (propaedeutic phase);
- Your grade point average is 7 or higher (6.5 for ISEP).
Please note: you must have passed all first-year subjects at the time of the application deadline (1 December).
Steps to take
Make a study plan to be sure that a study abroad fits into your programme in Leiden. Before you apply, consider which compulsory / specialization courses you still need to complete. When should you be present in Leiden? When do semesters start and end here and abroad? When are the exams scheduled?
Going abroad in the second semester
If you want to go abroad in the second semester of your third year, please be aware that exams of block 2 of your third year could take place mid or end of January, while most semesters abroad already start at the beginning of January. This means you might have to adapt your study plan. It is your own responsibility to arrange this. It is not possible to take your exams in Leiden online. Also note that you need to have permission from your study advisor to switch your Bachelor project to the first semester. You need to ask permission before May 15. After this date it becomes very difficult to switch your Bachelor project.
You can use this form to draft a study plan. Make an appointment with your study adviser or the international coordinator for Psychology if you are unsure whether a study abroad fits your programme.
Search for destinations and choose a maximum of 5 universities that you would like to study at and list them in order of preference. As competition is high we advise you to select a minimum of three universities. The more choices you give, the higher the chances of being placed on one of them. However, only put destinations on your list that you actually want to go to. Find your exchange destination via the world map!
Motivation letter
Write a cover letter in which you explain why you would like to study at the top-three universities on your list and what is the added value in terms of your academic career and/or personal development. There is no format for this letter; you are free to write it in any way you choose. Are you applying for the first semester, but could you possibly go abroad in the second semester? Please indicate this in your letter. If you cannot get into a university of your choice in the first semester, your study abroad coordinator can in some cases offer you a place in the second semester.
Transcript of records: only for university studies elsewhere
In your online application, we ask your permission to view your grades in uSis. You therefore do not need to upload a transcript, unless you have also studied at a university other than Leiden. If this is the case, then upload your transcript including your GPA from that institute. Transcripts without GPA on it will not be considered.
Studyplan
Upload your studyplan in the study abroad portal.
Submit your application in the uSis study abroad portal as follows:
- Log into uSis > click on the Study Abroad tile > select ‘‘I want to study at a partner university via an exchange agreement’.
- Enter the requested data and upload the required documents.
- Select your (max. 5) exchange destinations in order of preference.
- Submit your application.
If you meet the requirements and your application is complete and within the deadline, you will participate in the placement process. If the number of applications for a destination exceeds the number of available places, a draw will take place. Bachelor students will have priority over Master students. We try to place everyone on their first choice as much as possible. If that fails, we will look at your second choice, and so on. Within two weeks after the deadline, the results will be announced via uSis. You will receive an e-mail notification of this. If you are offered a place, you will be invited to view the details of the offer in the study abroad portal in uSis. Please read all the information and conditions of the offer carefully.
If you have been offered a place, you must accept or decline it within 7 days in the uSis study abroad portal If you do not accept the offer on time, it will be withdrawn. When accepting your place, you must agree to the Regulations on Studying Abroad. Be prepared and read these in advance. If you have any questions about the regulations, contact your international exchange coordinator.
Once you accept the offered place, Leiden University will nominate you to your host institution. You will then receive instructions on how and when to submit your application to your host institution, either from your international exchange coordinator or directly from the host itself. You can find it at the bottom of a destination's tab in the world map.
University-wide exchange programme
You can find information about how to apply for a university-wide exchange programme under the 'General' tab. Find your exchange destination via the world map!
It is strongly advised that you make a study plan to be sure that a study abroad fits into your programme in Leiden. Before you apply, consider which compulsory / specialization courses you still need to complete. When should you be present in Leiden? When do semesters start and end here and abroad? When are the exams scheduled?
You can use this form to draft a study plan. Make an appointment with your study adviser or the international coordinator for Psychology if you are unsure whether a study abroad fits your programme.
Questions?
If you have more questions after your online orientation, you can schedule an appointment with the international coordinator of the Institute of Psychology.