Admission requirements

Source: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/bachelor/cultural-anthropology-and-development-sociology/admission-and-application/admission-requirements Parent: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/bachelor/cultural-anthropology-and-development-sociology/admission-and-application/tuition-fees

Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)

Admission requirements

Here you find the admission requirements to apply for the international bachelor’s programme in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology.

Dutch diploma

You will be admitted to the international bachelor’s programme in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology if you are in the possession of:

• a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) diploma or
• a propaedeutic diploma from a University (WO) or
• a final Bachelor/Master diploma from a higher professional (HBO) institution or a University (WO).

Propaedeuse from a university of applied sciences

Have you obtained an HBO propaedeutic diploma? You then need to apply for admission using the online application portal. Students with an HBO propaedeutic diploma must have a passing final grade in mathematics at HAVO level, for which a central written final examination was taken. Alternatively, students must obtain a mathematics exam at VWO level. Additionally, students with an HBO propaedeutic diploma must demonstrate proficiency in English (see language requirements below).

Colloquium doctum

Colloquium doctum, which roughly translates as “learned discussion”, is a special admission procedure that you can apply for if:

• You do not have a (Dutch) diploma that grants university admission, and
• you are 21 or older on the day that your proposed study programme commences.

As a colloquium doctum candidate, you have to sit a number of exams at Dutch pre-university level (VWO), to determine whether you have the required knowledge to participate in this bachelor’s programme.

Depending on your previous education you can be asked to take examinations in the following subjects:

• Mathematics C or Mathematics A VWO certificate (or equivalent);
• History VWO certificate (or equivalent);
• Geography (social geography) certificate of state examination VWO level/oral examination;
• English VWO certificate (or IELTS/Toefl English Proficiency Test result).

The colloquium doctum application deadline is 1 November, in the year prior to the start of the programme. The rest of the colloquium doctum application works the same as the application procedure.

Non-Dutch diploma

You can be admitted with an equivalent of a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) diploma. Our Admissions Office has drawn up a list of common non-Dutch diplomas that generally meet the minimum academic requirements. If your diploma is not on this list you may still be admitted. You will receive more information on this once you have applied using the online application portal.

Language requirements

As this study programme is taught in English and all study activities must be undertaken in English, it is essential that you have a good level of proficiency in written and spoken English.

You do not need to submit an English proficiency test if you:

• have obtained a Dutch VWO diploma
• have obtained a bachelor’s or master’s diploma from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO) or a Dutch university
• have completed your secondary or higher education in the USA, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada), Singapore, South Africa or Malta.
• have obtained an International Baccalaureate™ Diploma (IB DP) taught in English or with English A HL.
• have obtained a German Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur) and English was included in your final year at least at Grundkurslevel.
• Exemptions can also be granted on the basis of certain other educational diplomas. Check our diploma requirements list to find out whether your diploma might entitle you to an exemption.

If none of the above apply to you, you must provide proof of proficiency by means of one of the following tests. You must arrange the test yourself.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test. Leiden University accepts three kinds of official tests*:

• IELTS - Academic modules only, on paper or on computer. Minimum score of 6.0 overall and 6.0 for each separate component
• We do not accept IELTS Academic online
• We do notaccept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
• TOEFL Internet Based. Minimum score of 80 overall and 20 for each separate component
• We do not accept the TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only:\ You are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
• We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™  or institutional tests such as ITP.
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency in English or Cambridge C1 Advanced English, with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

* New TOEFL grading scale 2026\ In January 2026, TOEFL introduced a new grading scale. Test certificates issued in 2026 and 2027 will show overall scores in both the old grading scale (0-120) and the new grading scale (1-6). Component or band scores will only be shown in the new grading scale.\ Leiden University’s 2026-2027 overall score requirements will continue to be based on the old grading scale. If you took your test on or after 21 January 2026, you must meet the overall score requirement shown on our website in the old grading scale (0-120), and the component score requirements shown on our website in the new grading scale (1-6).\ \ Also see general language requirements for additional information.