Arranging graduation
You're about to graduate. That means there’s a lot to be arranged. The university expects you to take certain steps, as does your faculty and/or institute. Your faculty has various regulations and procedures in place that you need to follow carefully when arranging your graduation.
Steps towards graduation
Graduation means there’s a lot to be arranged. Below you will find a general overview of the steps to be taken. Make sure to first read the information provided by your faculty and department, as regulations and procedures can vary.
- You receive the final grade needed to fulfil your examination requirements.
- You request graduation: look under the faculty/study programme tab to find out exactly what steps your programme requires you to take to arrange graduation. You may receive a message from uSis entitled ‘You can graduate’. This message will explain the options available if you wish to delay graduation.
- Your student registration will not automatically be cancelled when you graduate. You have to cancel your registration yourself via Studielink. However de-registration is not compulsory if you have a reason for not wishing to do so. Make sure to carefully read the information on de-registering or re-registering.
Requesting postponement of graduation
If you receive a message from uSis entitled ‘You can graduate’, but you don’t yet want to graduate because you are taking additional courses or an internship that you want to be mentioned on your final transcript, you can request postponement of graduation. Look under your faculty or study programme tab for more information.
Conditions of postponement
The maximum duration of postponement you can request is until you have been registered on your study programme for the official programme duration plus one additional year. For Bachelor’s programmes this is 3+1 years, for most Master’s programmes this is 1+1 year. If you are more than a year behind in your studies your request will not be granted.
Official regulations on postponing graduation
The regulations and agreements concerning the postponement of graduation have been laid down by Leiden University Executive Board in the Leiden University Regulations on Postponing Graduation.
Application graduation
Do you expect to graduate this semester? And do you wish to attend the graduation ceremony on Friday 21 March 2025? Please fill out the graduation application form before 1 January 2025.
To make sure your courses and grades are listed correctly on the diploma and diploma supplement, follow the instruction in the Academic Requirements in uSis.
Verification of results
The Student Services Centre records your results in uSis. You can graduate if you have:
- completed the compulsory courses;
- earned 180 ECTS credits;
- have met the requirements concerning enrolment and fee payment.
Requesting postponement of graduation
If you do not want to graduate yet (e.g. because you are taking additional courses or an internship that you want to be mentioned on your final transcript), you can request postponement of graduation. To do so, please fill out this form.
Conditions of postponement
The maximum duration of postponement you can request is until you have been registered on your study programme for the official programme duration plus one additional year. For Bachelor’s programmes this is 3+1 years, for most Master’s programmes this is 1+1 year. If you are more than a year behind in your studies your request will not be granted.
Official regulations on postponing graduation
The regulations and agreements concerning the postponement of graduation have been laid down by Leiden University Executive Board in the Leiden University Regulations on Postponing Graduation.
Degree Classification
Is your degree complete? Are you curious about the requirements needed to graduate with Honours? There are 3 degree classifications:
1. Passed
A degree is granted to students who have completed the programme requirements with a weighted grade point average between 6.0 and 8.0; and to students whose weighted grade point average is higher than 8.0 but do not meet the additional requirements. If a student has met the degree requirements and has earned more than the required number of credits required for the degree, the extra courses can be listed on the diploma supplement as extra-curricular courses.
2. Cum laude
The distinction Cum laude is awarded if the weighted grade point average is at least 8.0 and the student meets the additional requirements. The final grade point average is calculated using all the subjects which are included on the diploma. If a student has met the degree requirements and has earned more than the required number of credits required for the degree, the extra courses can be listed on the diploma supplement as extra-curricular courses.
3. Summa Cum laude
The distinction Summa Cum laude is awarded if the weighted grade point average is at least 9.0. The final grade point average is calculated using all the subjects which are included on the diploma. If a student has met the degree requirements and has earned more than the required number of credits required for the degree, the extra courses can be listed on the diploma supplement as extra-curricular courses.
Additional requirements are listed in the Course and Examination Regulations of the year of your graduation.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor's student graduates Cum laude if the following conditions are met:
- the weighted average for all components is 8.0 or higher;
- the mark for the bachelor’s thesis is 8.0 or higher;
- none of the examinations have been taken more than once;
- for full-time students: the bachelor’s final examination was passed within four academic years;
- for part-time students: the bachelor’s final examination was passed within six academic years.
This text is a summary of what is found in the Course and Examination Regulations.