First-Year students
Studying is already a lot of work, so on this page you'll find the most sought-after information for first-year students. Do you feel something important is missing? Let us know via the feedback button, and we'll improve it for the next student.
Essential Matters
Welcome to Leiden University
Is your student life at Leiden University about to begin? Here you'll find all the information you need to start your studies off right, such as what you need to arrange before your studies begin, information about the start of the academic year, and the most important facilities.
What is the Binding Study Advice?
As a student at Leiden University, you will receive a Binding Study Advice (BSA). This means that in the first year of your bachelor's program, you must earn enough credits to continue to the next year of your studies. Some programs also have additional requirements.
BSA Requirements:
Full-time students: 45 EC
Part-time students: 30 EC
What is the study plan?
At Leiden University, we monitor your academic progress with a personal study plan, which is created after your first year of study. This plan helps you to thoughtfully continue your studies and achieve your goals. In May/June, first- and second-year students create a study plan for their next academic year, in which they outline their planned study components and exam dates.
The study plan is an essential tool to ensure you complete your studies successfully within the set three years. Together with your study adviser, you will track your progress and adjust the plan as needed, allowing you to perform optimally and timely address any delays.
What locations are available?
At the university, you can use various study buildings and libraries spread across the city, such as the University Library and the Lipsius building. Printing facilities are available in almost all libraries and buildings. For individual study, quiet spaces are ideal, while group workspaces and collaboration areas are perfect for projects and joint study. Discover your ideal study spot and make the most of the available facilities!
When do I have time off?
To view your schedule, you can use MyTimetable, where you can create your personal timetable. If you are enrolled in any courses through uSis, they will also be shown there.
Curious about your days off and holidays? Check the faculty calendar to plan your well-deserved breaks.
How do I get my books?
The literature you need for each course can be found in the course catalog. Your study association often organizes book sales where you can purchase your books at a discount.
For most humanities programs, you can also order readers through the Leiden University ordering site. Readeronline is a web store where students can safely order and pay for readers. After payment, you can pick up your order with a printout of the payment confirmation and your student card at the service point you selected.
Additional costs: if you choose to have the order delivered to your home, a delivery fee of €4.90 per order will be charged.
How do courses and exams work?
As a first-year bachelor’s student, you will be enrolled in courses and exams for the first semester by your program. For the second semester, you will need to enroll yourself via MyStudymap. Make sure to do this on time, as some second- or third-year courses fill up quickly.
Solutions
What if I don't feel okay?
If you encounter challenges during your studies or have personal circumstances affecting your well-being or academic progress, contact your study adviser.
The university also has student psychologists who can help with both study-related and personal issues. During the first appointment, you will discuss the best next steps together.
Student psychologists do not diagnose or treat serious psychological/psychiatric issues. If you need specialized or long-term help, contact your general practitioner for a referral.
Everything about student well-being
How do I get help with a disability?
Studying with a disability can require extra time and effort. A significant number of students have some form of physical or mental limitation. We are happy to assist you with support that suits your needs, such as extra time or enlarged font during exams.
It's helpful to arrange this support quickly. You can do this through an intake at Fenestra. They handle the intake for students with a disability or chronic illness and provide advice on all matters related to your limitation. They issue a statement that grants you access to additional facilities or support.
What if I fall behind in my studies?
Sometimes circumstances can cause you to fall behind in your studies. This happens to more students than you might think. It is important to seek help immediately to minimize the impact. In exceptional circumstances, you may qualify for additional support or funding. Your study adviser can assist you with this.
Where can I get help?
No matter what your problem is, we're here to help. The university has various support offices:
| Type of Problem | Office |
|---|---|
| Academic issues | Study adviser |
| Mental health issues | Student psychologist |
| Disability-related issues | Fenestra |
| Unwanted behavior | Confidential councillor |
| Unfair treatment | Ombuds officer |
International students
Do I need a visa or residence permit?
In the table below you can find out whether you need a visa and/or residence permit for your studies at Leiden University.
|
Nationality |
Staying less than 90 days |
Staying more than 90 days |
|
EU, EEA, Switzerland |
No visa or residence permit |
No visa or residence permit |
|
Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, USA, UK or Vatican City |
No visa or residence permit |
Residence permit needed |
|
All other nationalities |
Short stay visa may be needed* |
Visa and residence permit needed |
Can I apply for a scholarship?
Leiden University has a number of scholarship programmes for international students. There are also a range of scholarships offered by Dutch governmental and EU organisations. For information on the options available, including eligibility criteria and deadlines, please visit our scholarships and loans page.
There are a number of student loans available from EU, national and private organisations. Some of these are listed on our scholarships and loans page. However it’s always a good idea to find out if there any loan schemes in your home country that you could make use of.
How can I arrange student housing?
In general, students are expected to arrange their own housing. However, for international students, Leiden University reserves a limited number of rooms each year for early applicants. The number of housing applications always greatly exceeds the number of reserved rooms. We therefore strongly recommend that prospective students also explore alternative ways of finding accommodation well before arriving in the Netherlands.
We strongly recommend that you take both the following steps as early as possible:
1. Take action to find housing yourself
For example, register with local housing organisations. Registration fees are generally inexpensive and the earlier you register, the greater your chance of getting a room by the start of the semester.
2. Request housing via Leiden University
The university can only house a small percentage of students who request housing. Rooms are offered on a first-come first-served basis, so submit your housing request and pay the housing fee as soon as you can! If you are unsuccessful, you can always fall back on the plans you set in motion to find your own housing.
What do I need when arriving in the Netherlands?
Town hall registration
If you intend staying in the Netherlands for longer than four months, or if you have been granted a student residence permit, you must register with your local Dutch town hall shortly after arrival.
More about town hall registration
Health insurance
All residents in the Netherlands are legally obliged to have health insurance coverage. We also strongly recommend that you take out liability insurance. Find out about the options available and arrange your insurance well in advance.
When arranging your health insurance, you must make sure the following are covered:
- All medical costs: for both physical and mental healthcare, including hospitalisation.
- All pre-existing medical conditions (even if you believe you do not have any): read the small print as this is often not the case
- Repatriation costs
There are several types of insurance possible: international student insurance policy, EU health insurance card, a home country insurance policy, and Dutch public health insurance. If you decide to work alongside your studies, you must take out Dutch public health insurance. This is also the case if you do an internship for which you receive at least Dutch minimum wage.
Dutch bank account
Do you have a bank account in a country that is not a SEPA* member?
If so, you are strongly advised to open a Dutch bank account. This is particularly important if you have transferred funds to us for your visa/residence permit application, or have been awarded a scholarship by Leiden University. These funds will be transferred to your Dutch bank account after arrival.
Do you have a bank account in a country that is a SEPA* member?
A Dutch bank account is not essential but will still be very useful. Many organisations require a Dutch bank account number if you want to become a member or request a card, e.g. public transport organisations.
*SEPA: Single Euro Payments Area. Member countries include all EEA member states plus Monaco and Switzerland.
Where can I learn to speak Dutch?
If you’re looking to learn Dutch as a student at Leiden University, the Academic Language Centre offers several options tailored to your needs. Whether you want to immerse yourself in Dutch culture, connect more deeply with locals, or simply navigate daily life more easily, they provide regular Dutch courses that fit into your schedule. For beginners, there’s also a free online course to get you started. Learning Dutch can truly enrich your experience here by connecting with others, increasing your chances at shared housing and part-time jobs, and preparing yourself for a future career in the Netherlands.
Additional activities
How can I broaden my education?
Are you curious about other fields and want to broaden your knowledge beyond your bachelor’s degree? Then the Honours College might be for you!
The Honours College is an additional program of 30 ECTS for ambitious, curious bachelor’s students seeking challenges alongside their regular studies. You can follow a track within your own faculty or another faculty.
How do I join a student association?
The student life at Leiden University is known for its student associations. These associations in Leiden and The Hague are a great way to quickly meet many people. Moreover, they often host parties, and you can take advantage of their offerings in sports and culture. In addition to the well-known general associations, there are also numerous associations focused on specific activities or interests.
How do I join a study association?
Through your study association, you can sometimes buy your study books at a discount and meet other first-year students in your program. It’s a good way to combine activities in your field with social events, as almost every program has a study association.
How can I have a say in the university?
Participation bodies represent the interests of students and staff by critically monitoring university policies and their implementation. They play an advisory and co-decision-making role. Each faculty has its own council, and there is a central university council. There are annual elections in May for the student representatives, in which every student can participate. You can also join your program's educational committee.
Looking ahead
What is a minor?
A minor is a coherent set of courses. Most minors consist of 15 to 30 EC, so you can take them within your elective space. The level is suitable for third-year bachelor’s students.
With a minor, you can explore beyond the boundaries of your program and broaden your knowledge and skills, or further specialize in your field, for example, to prepare for a master’s degree.
Every March, there is a minors fair where you can explore practically all the minors offered by the university.