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.

Off to a good start

As a student at Leiden University, you need an LU-Card. This is your university ID. You use it as:

• Identification card for Leiden University
• Library card for the Leiden University Libraries (UBL)
• Print and copy card
• Access card to buildings and rooms
• Access card to parking lots
• Access card to the Hortus Botanicus

The application process for an LU-Card takes approximately two weeks. After you receive notification that your registration is complete, apply for it as soon as possible.

What do you need?

• An activated student account (ULCN)
• A Dutch postal address

How to apply?

1. Log in to Account Services with your student account (ULCN).
2. Go to 'My Profile' and check if your Dutch postal address is correct. If not, follow these steps:
   • Bachelor’s and master’s students: add or update a Dutch address via Studielink.
   • Be aware that it may take a few days for your address change to be processed. Only proceed to the next step if the correct address is displayed in Account Services.
3. Go to 'My Profile' and upload a passport photo. Make sure the photo meets passport photo requirements.
4. You will receive the LU-Card within 5 to 10 working days at your postal address.

College or Registration Card

The college or registration card is your proof of enrollment at Leiden University. This college card is digital and can be found in the Leiden University app.

The college card will appear in the app within 3 days after your registration is finalized, but not earlier than 2 months before the start of your program. You cannot use your college card for identification during exams. For that, you will need to show your LU-Card along with a valid ID, such as your passport or European Identity Card.

The amount of tuition fee you have to pay depends on your study programme and your personal situation. In the tuition fee calculator you can find all the tariffs, surcharges and reductions and easily determine the amount that applies to you.

When (re)registering as a student of Leiden University you can pay your tuition fee by way of digital direct debit under certain conditions. These are that you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA), Suriname or Switzerland, or are classed as having the equivalent of Dutch citizenship; and that your bank account is in a SEPA country.

To pay by way of digital direct debit, you must first enter your payment details into Studielink. The university will then determine the amount of tuition fee you are required to pay and you will be asked to authorise your direct debit via Studielink. 

You can choose to have your tuition fee deducted from your bank account in one lump sum or in five instalments. For payment in instalments a one-off administrative fee of 24 euro will be charged. Your tuition fee payments will be deducted from your account on the instalment dates stated below. If you choose to pay in one lump sum, the fee will be deducted on the first instalment date.

• 25 October 2024
• 24 December 2024
• 25 February 2025
• 25 April 2025
• 25 June 2025

Are you a non-EEA national? If so, payment by way of digital direct debit is not possible. Instead you will receive an invoice stating the amount of tuition fee due and the methods of payment available.

Tuition fee calculator 2024-2025

Read more about tuition payment

When writing your thesis, you draw on the insights you’ve gained during your courses and studies so far. You may also conduct a literature review or carry out your own research to write about. Before starting your thesis, you’ll take an introductory course as preparation. Theses must comply with faculty regulations, and there are rules on plagiarism and academic integrity.

The more you write and practice, the better your papers will become. Not only factual information but also logical argumentation and clear structure are important.

Do you need help with your thesis? You can make a free appointment with a trained peer tutor at the Writing Lab. Additionally, the Writing Lab organizes free workshops and thesis events every semester to improve your writing skills and help you successfully complete your thesis.

Visit the Writing Lab

Almost finished with your studies and thinking about graduation? Make sure to submit the graduation form no later than the last working day of the month before your planned graduation. The formal diploma date will be the last working day of the month in which all components are completed. For students who achieve their final result after June, there is an option to have the diploma date set as the last working day of August. The form must be submitted by June 1 at the latest.

Master's graduation form

More information about graduating

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.

Check your timetable

Days off and holidays

At the university, you can use various libraries and study spaces spread across the city. 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!

Libraries

Printing and copying

Study and collaboration spaces

All regular students must register for courses (lectures and seminars) and exams they wish to take via MyStudymap in the student portal. Only for the master’s thesis do Humanities students not need to register.

Read more about course and exam registration

MyStudymap

Your enrollment as a student automatically ends at the end of the academic year. If you want to withdraw earlier, you must deregister yourself via Studielink.

You may want to stop your studies temporarily or permanently for various reasons, such as not wanting to complete your program, avoiding a negative binding study advice (BSA), or being unable to continue studying due to personal circumstances. Be sure to discuss your situation with your study adviser first.

Make an appointment with your study adviser

The Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University is one of the largest and most diverse faculties within the university. It is organized into various institutes and programs, each covering specific disciplines and research areas.

Institutes and Education

The faculty includes several institutes, each specializing in particular academic disciplines within the humanities. The faculty’s various bachelor's and master's programs are linked to these institutes, as are all scholars and lecturers. Key institutes include:

• Academy of Creative and Performing Arts (ACPA): Focuses on the interaction between artistic practice and academic research, providing space for collaboration between artists and scholars.

• Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS): Specializes in research and education in arts and society, exploring how art and culture shape and are shaped by society.

• Institute for History: Offers a wide range of historical disciplines, from ancient to modern history, with expertise in various geographic and thematic areas.

• Institute for Area Studies (LIAS): Focuses on the study of regions like Asia and the Middle East, including their languages, cultures, and religions, combining area studies with language and cultural sciences.

• Centre for Linguistics (LUCL): Covers research and education in linguistics, with a strong emphasis on both theoretical and applied linguistics.

• Institute for Philosophy: Focuses on the study of philosophy in all its facets, from ethics and political philosophy to logic and metaphysics.

• Netherlands Institute in Morocco (NIMAR): Specializes in the study of Morocco and the Maghreb region, serving as an important knowledge center for academic research and education related to this region.

Faculty Board and Faculty Office

• Faculty Board: The faculty is led by a dean, supported by a vice-dean and a director of operations. This team is responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction, and daily management of the faculty. The Faculty Board also coordinates the allocation of resources, personnel policies, and the promotion of academic quality.

• Faculty Office: The Faculty Office supports the faculty with services such as Policy, Advice, and Strategy, Communication & Marketing, Financial Economic Affairs, IT and Facilities, and Education and Student Affairs. This office acts as a bridge between the faculty and the central university organization, ensuring that university-wide policies are implemented locally. This structure enables the faculty to conduct its daily operations efficiently and consistently, in line with the broader objectives of Leiden University.

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

Make an appointment with the study adviser

Make an appointment with a student psychologist

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.

Read more about disabilities

Make an appointment at Fenestra

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.

Read more about study delay

Make an appointment with your study adviser

No matter what your problem is, we're here to help. The university has various support offices:

Being a board member of a student (sports) association or organization is a great way to gain work experience while having an unforgettable time with your fellow students. As a board member, you’ll receive a certificate from the university and may also qualify for financial support.

Read more about your board membership

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.

Learn more about the faculty council

In the table below you can find out whether you need a visa and/or residence permit for your studies at Leiden University.

Read more about visa's and residence permits

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.

Read more about scholarships and loans

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.

• Learn more about how to find housing yourself

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.

• Read how to request housing via Leiden University

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. 

More about insurance

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. 

More about Dutch bank accounts

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.