Welcome to Leiden University
Will you soon be joining Leiden University? Here you can find all the information you need to get your studies off to a good start.
Joining a bachelor's or master's programme?
Find out what you need to know and arrange by clicking on your faculty or study programme tab.
Following exchange or study-abroad courses?
Find out what you need to know and arrange by clicking on your exchange faculty tab.
Following courses at more than one faculty? For course-specific information, select the relevant exchange faculty (top of the page). For general information, select any of your exchange faculties.
Welcome at the Faculty of Humanities. All information you will need to start with your studies, you will find on the programme's tab from 15 August 2024 onwards.
Is there no information yet, or did you not find an answer to your question? Please contact the co-ordinator of studies.
On Academic Freedom
You are now a part of our academic community. Here at Leiden University, we pride ourselves on our motto Praesidium Libertatis – bastion of freedom – and cherish the tradition of academic freedom.
What do we expect of you?
A vital component of academic freedom is an open culture in which we can disagree with one another yet still feel safe, a culture that gets us thinking and could even cause us to change our views. This benefits us. And you too have a part to play.
Soon you will start your student life at Leiden University. Read more about what you need to prepare and do to quickly find your way.
Before your studies begin
Join the OWL!
What is the OWL?
The OWL (Orientation Week Leiden) is Leiden University’s introduction week for international students, including visiting exchange students, in Leiden.
In an event-packed five-day programme, OWL has been specially designed for students who are new to the city and the University. In five days of fun, music, culture, sightseeing, sports and games, newcomers get to learn about the Dutch people and culture. And to help them get to know Leiden a bit better, the events take place at various locations around the city. It’s an unforgettable start to studying at Leiden University.
How do I sign up for the OWL?
Once you have accepted your offer of admission to a degree, exchange or study abroad programme in Leiden, you will receive an email inviting you to sign up for the OWL. Have you not received your invitation? Send a mail to participants@owl.leidenuniv.nl.
Want to know more about the OWL?
Do you have any questions, or would you like more information?
- Check out the official website
- Send an email to the OWL committee
- Like the OWL on Facebook
As a student of Leiden University you’ll receive a student account (ULCN account). This gives you access to the university’s systems and work stations. You'll first need to activate your ULCN account.
Your LU card is your university ID card. It gives you access to a range of facilities. Make sure to request your LU card before starting your studies.
All Humanities students are required to register for all lectures, tutorials, and exams. You can do this via MyStudymap. This applies to both the compulsory components as well as the study activities that you choose to complete as part of the elective programme (minor). The only exceptions to this rule are the final bachelor’s paper and the master’s thesis; you do not need to register for these.
First-year, full-time bachelor’s students are usually registered by their department for courses starting in September. They should however check that they are registered correctly. For the lectures that start in February, they will need to register for courses themselves.
You will find the required literature in the course descriptions in the online Prospectus.
For the literature list, see the course descriptions in the course catalogue in the Prospectus. Readers and syllabi can be purchased at readeronline.leidenuniv.nl, some study associations also hold a book sale.
Start of your studies
The introduction will be held on Tuesday 27 August 2024 from 13:00 in PJ Veth room 1.01. In the welcome email (which you will receive in July/ August) you will receive more information on the location and programme.
Please check this page for the academic calendar and this page for the schedules.
You can use MyTimetable to view all timetables of the Faculty of Humanities and create your own personal timetable.
Did you enroll for a course in uSis? Then this will automatically be displayed in MyTimetable. You can also sync MyTimetable with your calendar apps on your smartphone and any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar; or set up an email notification instead.
Questions?
Watch the video instruction or read the detailed instructions.
There are translations of the Dutch phrases commonly used in the timetable documents available.
Study advice and support services
For all questions related to your programme for which you cannot find an answer on the website contact your Coordinator of Studies / Study Advisor. They can also advise you on the planning of your studies and help you if problems occur which may jeopardize your progress.
You can find your Coordinator of Studies / Study adviser at the right side of this page on your desktop and at the bottom of this page on your mobile phone. Make sure you have selected your study programme at the top!
As its name indicates, the Education Administration Offices is tasked with the administrative support of the educational process. They can help you to register for lectures, seminars and exams and administer the results of the exams and final examinations. They can provide you with a transcript of your results, if needed, and produce your diploma when you successfully finish your programme. Even after your graduation, they are the first to contact if you need anything.
There is a mentor system in place for new student. This will help new students by finding their way in their studies and help with studying methods. Your mentor will give you advice about your studies and you can reach out to them when you have difficulties with your studies or if there are personal circumstances in play, they can refer you to other people and organisations that will help you further.
During your time as a student you will probably face a variety of challenges. Both in terms of studying and personal development, you might need a little help from time to time. Find out how you can boost your wellbeing and who you can turn to for support. Read more about wellbeing
Key facilities
Here, on the student website, you can find a wide range of practical information about your studies.
Select your study programme
When you first visit the website, you will be asked to select your study programme to continue.
- By selecting your study programme, you can access information that is specific to your particular programme and faculty.
- By visiting the site as a guest, you can only access general, university-wide information.
The website will remember your selection. This means you won’t have to make a selection next time you log in from the same device.
Tabs: from general to specific
If you have selected your study programme, you will sometime see more than one tab on a page:
- The tab on the left contains general information.
- The tab in the middle contains information from your faculty.
- The tab on the right contains information from your study programme.
Your student card is your proof of registration as a student of Leiden University. The student card is a digital card and can be found in the University Leiden app after activation.
As a student of Leiden University you will be issued with a university email address: uMail. All correspondence from the university will be sent to this address. You can set up your uMail account so that all mails will be forwarded to your own email address.
All the details of your studies are recorded in uSis. From your first registration as a student until your graduation.
Brightspace is Leiden University’s online learning environment.
The indispensable app for Leiden University students. Here you can find all your personal study information in one place. Log in once and access your schedule, results, available computers and university news anytime and anyplace.
Make the most of your student life
Join the Humanities Buddy Programme!
Are you a new master's student at Leiden University? Join the Humanities Buddy Programme! You will be matched to a buddy who can help you out with your academic and practical questions. Additionally you will be able to attend fun monthly activities and make friends from all over the world. Already a master's student at Leiden University? Join us and become a buddy instead.
Interested? Read more about the Humanities Buddy programme on the website.
The study association for the BA Philosophy is Symposion.
By joining an association you'll meet lots of people and get more out of student life. As well as student and study associations, there are also a range of social associations in Leiden and The Hague, for example sports, religious or cultural associations.
As a student of Leiden University, you have access to a wide range of affordable sports via the University Sport Centre (USC) in Leiden and The Hague.