Admission requirements
Source: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/exchange/admission-requirements
Admission as an exchange or study abroad student is based on a number of factors.
1. Nomination by home university: only required for students from partner universities
- Are you studying at a partner university and joining us via an exchange or study abroad programme? If so, you must first be nominated by your home university.
- Not studying at a partner university? You can still join us as an independent student, without being nominated. Be aware that in this case, tuition fees will apply.
2. Academic requirements
- You should have completed at least two years of university education.
- You must have a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent).
- Your academic background must be relevant to the courses you are applying for. For some courses, specific prerequisite knowledge is required – see the prospectus for details.
3. English language requirements
You must be proficient in English. The document required to prove your English proficiency depends on your situation:
EU/EEA nationals joining us via Erasmus+ agreement*
You must submit a statement issued by your home university confirming your English level. Ask your home university coordinator how to arrange this. An official IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge result is not required. \ \ * this does not apply to Erasmus+ ICM. Instead, follow the requirements for 'All other students' below.
All other students
You must submit a sufficient English test result. See accepted tests, required scores and exemption criteria below. Your test result may not be more than 2 years old.
Accepted tests and required scores
- TOEFL*:90 (internet-based)
- 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.
- We do not accept the TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situations 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.
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 (on paper or on computer)
- We do not accept IELTS Academic online
- We do notaccept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
- Cambridge English Exam: C1 Advanced with a minimum score of 180, or C2 Proficiency
| *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). Leiden University’s 2026-2027 overall score requirements will continue to be based on the old grading scale. |
*Exemptions***
Submitting an English language test result is not required if:
- You have completed your secondary education in the USA, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada), Singapore, South-Africa or Malta.
- You have an (English-taught) International Baccalaureate secondary school diploma.
Schedule your test well in advance as some test centres have limited availability!
Leiden University has strict measures in place for the verification of language test results. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they submit authentic test results only.