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.
Joining an exchange or study-abroad programme?
Find out all you need to know for your semester at Leiden University on the website for international exchange and study abroad students.
Welcome to Leiden
Information for new bachelor's and master's students
Information on courses
Each degree programme has its own curriculum. See the Prospectus for information on the curriculum, course content and required study materials.
Study materials
Once you know which courses you'll be taking and the required study materials, you can learn how to acquire these on the Books and study materials page.
Brightspace
Brightspace is Leiden University's digital learning environment. Each course has its own learning environment in Brightspace.
Students can easily use any computer (or mobile device) to retrieve sheets and other relevant documents, to ask questions, have discussions, read announcements from teaching staff, and make and submit digital assignments.
1. What does this mean for students?
If students want to participate sucessfully in a course, they'll have to visit the Brightspace environment of their course(s) frequently. Teaching staff assume that any information that is posted on Brightspace will be read by all students on that course.
Access to a Brightspace course environment (registration)
After registering for a course and/or an exam in MyStudymap, you'll have access to the corresponding Brightspace course environment.
First-year students (who have been assigned to a tutor group) will be registered by the faculty's Onderwijs Informatie Centrum (OIC, Education Information Centre) for their courses and so automatically for the Brightspace environments of the courses they'll be taking.
More information is available on this page.
Questions about Brightspace?
Instruction manuals are available on: universiteitleiden.screenstepslive.com
Each Brightspace environment also has a 'Help' menu item with information.
Location
Most lectures and seminars take place in the Kamerlingh Onnes Building (KOG). A floorplan of that building is available here.
Leiden Law Skills
The education you will receive as a student on the bachelor's degree programme in Law will prepare you for a career in the legal profession. It will provide you with a solid foundation for the job market or for further education. The skills you learn at Leiden University will be useful in your further career, whether you decide to pursue a legal career or not. Check the Leiden Law Skills site to see the skills you will be taught during your studies.
Your time as a student at Leiden University will soon begin. Read here what you need to do to find your way quickly and prepare optimally.
What to arrange before your studies begin
Introduction programmes
An introduction week is the best way to get to know your new city, student life and your fellow students.
ULCN-account
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.
LU-Card
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.
Timetables
Make sure you know where you have to be and when on your first day.
Prospectus
Each programme has its own specific curriculum. See the prospectus for information about your curriculum, course content and required study materials.
Course and exam registration
Certain rules apply to registering for courses and exams. This is also the case for attending study programmes and exams. Besides this, apart from the regular exam periods there are possibilities you may be able to make use of provided you meet the required conditions. More information on this is available on the page registering for courses and exams.
Support and advice
Education Administration Office
Education Information Centre (OIC in Dutch)
The OIC carries out the registration of study and education data and provides information to students on different matters.
Wellbeing and health
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
Get to know key facilities
Student website
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.
Student card
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.
uSis (student monitoring system)
All the details of your studies are recorded in uSis. From your first registration as a student until your graduation.
Brightspace (online learning environment)
Brightspace is Leiden University’s online learning environment.
uMail
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.
Leiden University app
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.
Get more out of your student days
Associations
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.
Sports for less
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.