Awarding of diploma
Once you complete your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree you will be awarded your diploma during a celebratory graduation ceremony. Some study programmes also have ceremonies for the awarding of first-year (propedeuse) diplomas or other important achievements. The awarding of your diploma is always arranged by your faculty or study programme.
Graduation ceremonies are always arranged by your study programme or faculty.
Collecting your diploma from the Student Services Centre
As from one day after the graduation ceremony, you can collect your diploma at the desk of the Student Services Centre during opening hours. Please bring your ID.
Authorising someone else to collect your diploma
It is also possible to authorise someone else to collect your diploma. Please fill out the authorisation form and make sure that the person collecting your diploma hands in the following documents at the Student Services Centre:
- a copy of your ID
- a copy of his/her own ID
- the printed and signed authorisation form
Graduation Ceremonies MSc Political Science
You can complete your degree in any month. However, graduation ceremonies are held twice a year (October/March).
| Date of last grade | Degree completion Date | Graduation ceremony MSc |
|
28 February 2025 or before |
28 February 2025 or before | 21 March 2025 |
|
31 August 2025 or before |
31 August 2025 or before | 31 October 2025 |
General expectations (subject to change)
Location:
- 21 March 2025: Marekerk, Lange Mare 48, Leiden
- 31 October 2025: Telders Auditorium, Academy Building, Rapenburg 73, Leiden
Students are welcome to invite a maximum of three guests.
There is no official dress code, students are free to choose their own style. Majority of students come dressed in the smart casual style. The graduands do not wear gowns.
The ceremony is chaired by a member of the Institute of Political Science. After the opening and a short speech, the graduands are called one by one to come forward and receive their diploma, a graduation cap, and a flower. The order might vary, but is usually done per specialisation and within the specialisation in alphabetical order. Students’ names and thesis titles appear on the PowerPoint slide, together with any recognition (cum laude, prize nomination). Once called to the front, students have the opportunity to say something about their thesis/share thanks and good wishes. We reserve two to three minutes for each graduand. Students have already passed so there is no need to feel pressure in preparing for this. Afterwards students are seated again. When everyone has been called and has received their diploma the photographer will take a group picture and you will be invited to wear your graduation cap for the picture.
The duration of the ceremony depends on how many graduands attend, usually it takes up to one hour. A reception follows, which gives you an opportunity to congratulate your fellow classmates and have a chat with the instructors and study advisors. Master students can sign their name in het zweetkamertje (the sweat room).
During the ceremony, a photographer might take pictures of the group and/or you. If you do not want this to happen, please let the photographer know.
About two weeks before the official graduation ceremony, you will receive an invitation specifying the exact time and place.