Studying abroad

Students who are enrolled in one of the Leiden University MSc programmes are offered the opportunity to spend some time abroad. The university actively stimulates students to do so as it broadens their horizon and improves their academic and language skills. Leiden has many bilateral exchange and cooperation agreements with universities all over the world, including many who are at the top of their field. First of all, Leiden University participates in the European Union’s Erasmus programme. This programme offers many possibilities to follow courses or to do a research training project at one of the universities in the European Union. Beside this, there are many exchange agreements with universities outside of Europe such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa and Korea. Students can also ask their academic staff members to recommend an international institute.

More information can be found here.

Conditions

Students who want to spend some time abroad have to meet certain conditions. First of all, the Board of Examiners has to approve of the study program you intend to follow. Furthermore, you must have the right academic qualifications and language skills for the intended programme. Most students choose to do a minor research project abroad (20-40 EC), but only courses or a combination is also possible. 

Students of the Faculty of Science should always contact Tess Hoppenbrouwer from the international office (outgoing@science.leidenuniv.nl) for information, registration, selection, introduction to host university, safety regulations, scholarships and more. 

Information about how to request permission from the Board of Examiners for an external research project can be found here.

A transcript of records ('cijferlijst' in Dutch) is often required for enrolment at another university and can be requested using this form (available after login).

Scholarship and fee

There are several scholarships for outgoing students, such as the LUF International Study Fund, the Erasmus scholarship for study in Europe and the Lustra scholarship outside of Europe. Selected students who go abroad to an exchange partner institute do not have to pay a tuition fee to the guest university, because they are already enrolled at Leiden University.