Universiteit Leiden

About

Universiteit Leiden, the oldest university in the Netherlands, is a highly research-intensive institution renowned globally for its excellence in humanities, law, social sciences, and natural sciences. It boasts particularly strong programs in Archaeology, Political Science, and Law. For international students, Leiden offers a vibrant and welcoming experience with a growing number of English-taught Bachelor's and Master's programs, including the fully English-taught Leiden University College The Hague. The dedicated International Office provides extensive support, from pre-arrival guidance to orientation weeks, ensuring a smooth transition into Dutch academic and student life. Its rich history and strong international community make it a distinctive choice for global scholars.

Background

Leiden University (abbreviated as LEI; Dutch: Universiteit Leiden) is a public research university in Leiden, Netherlands. Established in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange as a Protestant institution, it holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving university in the Netherlands. The university has seven academic faculties and over fifty subject departments, housing more than forty national and international research institutes. Its historical primary campus consists of several buildings spread over Leiden, while a second campus located in The Hague houses a liberal arts college (Leiden University College The Hague) and several of its faculties. It is a member of the Coimbra Group, the Europaeum, and a founding member of the League of European Research Universities. The university has produced twenty-six Spinoza Prize Laureates and sixteen Nobel Laureates. Members of the Dutch royal family such as Queen Juliana, Queen Beatrix, and King Willem-Alexander are alumni, and ten prime ministers of the Netherlands including Mark Rutte. US president John Quincy Adams also studied at the university.

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