Are you curious about how societies are governed – and what makes a society just? At Leiden University, you’ll explore democracy, law, safety and public policy in both national and international contexts. From human rights to climate legislation, from elections to ethical dilemmas: you’ll learn to analyse…

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Film screening and panel discussion

Study information

Are you interested in taking up an extra challenge during your master’s programme? Have you thought about applying for our Summer School programme or are you interested in developing your personal leadership style?

Get to know us through our online and in-person events for prospective students!

Are you interested in taking up an extra challenge during your master’s programme? Have you thought about applying for the world teachers programme or are you interested in developing your personal leadership style?

Leiden University offers you several services related to career orientation and job application skills.

The MSc IRD prepares you specifically for a career in international diplomacy, international government and non-governmental organisations, national or international public administration, ‘think tanks’ and research institutions, international interest associations or international business.

Get to know us through our online and in-person events for prospective students!

Are you interested in taking up an extra challenge during your master’s programme? Have you thought about applying for the world teachers programme or are you interested in developing your personal leadership style?

Are you interested in taking up an extra challenge during your master’s programme? Have you thought about applying for the World Teachers Programme or are you interested in developing your personal leadership style?

Are you interested in taking up an extra challenge during your master’s programme? Have you thought about applying for the world teachers programme or are you interested in developing your personal leadership style?

On 21 January 2026, Juan Pablo Bascur successfully defended his PhD thesis at Leiden University, titled 'Science maps for information retrieval'.

Professor of Law and Society Maartje van der Woude has been appointed as a Mercator Fellow at the University of Göttingen’s research group Mobility Rights in the Global Context of Multiple Crises, which studies human rights and migration in times of crisis.

Lecture

When and how was alphabetic writing introduced to Greece and the wider Mediterranean region?

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Houses, warehouses, wells, a mooring and even a stable. All of this can be seen on the oldest known map of the island of Dejima acquired by Leiden University Libraries (UBL). The map provides a highly detailed picture of a tiny living environment on the isolated island.

Arts and leisure, Arts and leisure

PhD defence

This project investigates which aspects of social media content adolescents attend to and how these relate to their credibility judgments, aiming to systematically understand their susceptibility to misinformation and inform effective educational programs that foster youth’s resilience to misinforma…

We are transparent about our research involving laboratory animals, which includes providing access to our annual statistics. On this page, you will find an overview of various aspects, such as the number of animals and the species we use, the types of research for which we employ animals, and the level…

Sub-Saharan Africa has seen a significant rise in terrorist acts and radicalized youth since the appearance of Boko Haram in 2009 and the fall of Libya in 2012. This book investigates the deeper layers of radicalization in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is situated in a larger global tendency.

Leiden University offers ambitious students the world-class environment needed to reach their potential.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a rich environment in which to reach their potential.

Leiden University offers you several services related to career orientation and job application skills

Leiden University offers you several services related to career orientation and job application skills

Leiden University offers you several services related to career orientation and job application skills.

Leiden University offers you several services related to career orientation and job application skills.

Criminal Justice as a concept refers to the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts. While the definition seems rather clear-cut,…

The Biomedical Sciences Communication specialisation focuses on the interaction between science and society and concerns science communication in a broad sense. You combine your research training with different aspects of science communication. The entire programme is taught in English.

Get to know us through our online and in-person events for prospective students!

Get to know us through our online and in-person events for prospective students!

Come and meet us at the Leiden University!

Get the most out of your studies at Leiden University by taking part in our extracurricular activities.

Get the most out of your studies at Leiden University by taking part in our extracurricular activities.

In the specialisation in Modern Languages you will explore the structure, acquisition, history and use of one or more of these five languages in depth: Chinese, English, French, German and/or Italian.

The broad scope of the High-Tech Innovation specialisation provides you with an MSc-level education that is highly valued by the advanced high-tech and semiconductor industries. Your combined expertise in astronomy, cutting-edge technology, instrumentation, and innovation makes you well positioned for…

French is a global language. It is spoken on every continent and serves as an official language for many international organizations (NATO, UN, WHO). In this minor, you improve your language skills, study French from a linguistic perspective, and immerse yourself in the rich global Francophone culture…

The Biomedical Sciences research specialisation aims to provide you with a theoretical background and academic competences in multidisciplinary research in Biomedical Sciences. The entire programme is taught in English.

The MA South Asian Studies at Leiden University is designed for students with an interest in studying South Asia from a range of perspectives including its history, literature, art, media, culture, religions, philosophy and philology.

The one-year MA in Russian and Eurasian Studies at Leiden University is a unique programme that stands out for its interdisciplinary approach and relevance to current global affairs.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their potential.

This interdisciplinary minor addresses sustainabilty challenges from a systems perspective, and investigates ways to sustain society within planetary boundaries.

Mariska Jung (FGGA), Looi van Kessel (FGW), and Jasmijn Rana (FSW) have received a KIEM grant together with the Institute for Social Justice (in development) for their project 'Hope springs eternal': Protest and social movements in the Netherlands.

Alicia Schrikker, Director of Research at the Leiden University Institute for History shed light on the importance of preserving archives of natural disasters. Her lecture titled History, Memory, and Archives of Disaster looked at the 1883 Krakatoa eruption through archival records of the colonial government…

Arts and leisure, Arts and leisure

Get to know us through our online and in-person events for prospective students!