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 student of Leiden Law School, you can apply to go abroad via Faculty of Law exchange programmes or university-wide exchange programmes.
- For destinations via a Faculty of Law exchange programme: 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.
Faculty exchange
Deadline
If you want to go abroad in fall 2025 or spring 2026, you can apply until 23:59 on 15 January 2025.
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.
Apply on time
Make sure to submit your complete application before the above-mentioned deadline. You will hear the result of your application approximately one month later.
Requirements
To apply for a faculty exchange programme, you must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor's students:
- At the time of application, you have between 60 and 90 ECTS and your first-year (propedeuse) diploma. Note that you must have obtained at least 120 ECTS before going abroad.
- You have preferably completed the courses in contract law, constitutional and administrative law, criminal law & criminal procedure law, property law (not applicable for Criminology students).
- Master's students:
- At the time of application, you have a bachelor’s degree in Law or Criminology from a research university (WO), or have completed at least 5 ECTS of your Leiden Law School Master’s programme.
- You have written a good letter of motivation for study abroad.
- You can demonstrate that you are proficient (at least B2 level) in the language of instruction at your selected partner university. For example, you have VWO grade 7 for the language in question or another recognised test result such as the Academic Language Centre’s online English assessment test (which can be arranged within 2 days and costs 30 euros).
Note that some partner institutions have additional language requirements. See the information on each destination in the world map. When applying, you must submit proof that you have the required level, e.g. by way of your VWO grade. If you are selected, you must submit any official language documents required by your host during the application process. - You meet any additional requirements set by the partner institution, for example a minimum GPA. See the information on each destination in the world map.
- You must be registered as a student and paying tuition fee to Leiden University during your entire exchange period abroad.
Steps to take
After looking through the options in the world map, draw up a list of up to five universities where you would like to study, in order of preference. Make sure to check if any destinations have additional (language) requirements or different semester dates. Remember that lots of students want to study abroad and there are only approximately two to four exchange places available at each university. So it’s wise to choose the maximum of five destinations.
1. Letter of motivation (pdf)
Explain substantively why you want to study abroad and why you have chosen the three universities at the top of your list, based on the information you have found on these universities. There is no standard template for letters of motivation, the content and format are up to you. However your letter must meet the following criteria:
- In English
- Maximum 500 words
- In pdf format
- Explain why you want to study abroad and state briefly why you chose each of your destinations.
2. Curriculum vitae (pdf)
Also known as a resume. In addition to study-related and professional information, also include e.g. hobbies, extra-curricular activities, voluntary work and caring responsibilities.
3. Proof of language proficiency (pdf)
Submit evidence that you have at least level B2 in the language of instruction at your selected partner institution. This can be either:
- a copy of your VWO diploma with the language in question at grade 7 or higher, or
- another recognised language test result for example the Academic Language Centre’s online English assessment test (which can be arranged within 2 days and costs 20 euros)
* Note that some partner institutions have additional language requirements such as a higher level than B2 or the submission of an IELTS or TOEFL test result. When applying via uSis, you must submit proof that your language skills meet the required level for your selected destinations, for example by way of your VWO grade. When applying to your host university (after selection) you submit any official language documents or test results required by your host. See the information on your host institution in the world map.
4. Budget (pdf)
Make an overview of anticipated expenses and sources of income (using this template) to demonstrate that you have made sure studying abroad is financially viable for you.
Transcript generally not required
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 your Leiden University transcript. However, if you have also studied law or criminology at another university, you do need to upload a transcript from that institution showing your GPA.
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 5 exchange destinations in order of preference.
- Submit your application.
If you need further explanation, consult the Manual on applying for Exchange via uSis.
After the application deadline, the Office for International Education will begin the selection process. We hope to notify you of the results within 4 weeks at the latest. If you are offered a place, you will be invited to log into the uSis study abroad portal to view the details of the offered place. Make sure to 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.
Not happy with the offered destination?
After receiving an offer for one of your chosen destinations, it is not possible to request an alternative destination. If you do not want to go to the offered destination, you should decline the offer. Subject to the number of remaining places after the first selection round, Leiden Law School may hold a second selection round - for exchange in the spring semester only. You are welcome to submit a new application for one of the remaining destinations. Details of second-round application procedures, deadlines and remaining destinations will be posted on the Exchange-Where page in mid-March (if applicable).
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, directly from the host itself. Also check in the world map whether there is any additional information available on application procedures at your host university.
