Holders of one of the following degrees may be admitted to the programme:

1. Direct admission:
   When you have a bachelor’s degree in Security Studies, Public Administration or Political Science from Leiden University, you can be directly admitted. You can register through Studielink without needing to complete an application in Leiden University’s application system (Usis).
2. Eligible for direct admission:
   When you have a bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Political Science or International Relations from a recognised research university other than Leiden University you are eligible for direct admission. Register through Studielink and complete your application in Leiden University’s application system (uSis).
3. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university provided the student meets  requirements across two pillars. First, at least 30 ECTS obtained from courses in the fields of governance, crisis or security related knowledge. Second, at least 20 ECTS related to empirical research skills in social sciences or similar empirical research skills. Register through Studielink and complete your application in Leiden University’s application system (uSis).
4. When you have a bachelor’s degree in Safety and Security Management Studies (SSMS) at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and have fulfilled the following academic criteria.
   Please note: you will have to apply through Studielink and the subsequent uSis application portal. Further, you still must meet the English language proficiency requirement mentioned in the paragraph ‘Language Requirements’ below.

If you meet the conditions under 1, you only need to apply through Studielink. If you do not meet the conditions under 1, you will need to apply through Studielink and through the online application system (uSis). You will be assessed on an individual base on proficiency in the English language and the requirements mentioned in 'Elaboration'.

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.

Holders of a bachelor's degree from a research university with a maximum of 5 ECTS of deficiencies, can eliminate their deficiencies in the curriculum by showing relevant knowledge with their extracurricular courses as shown on the below table:

The above elaboration on the requirements give an indication whether you will be admitted or not. At the same time, there are no assurances given. The first step by the Board of Admission is to examine the degree obtained. If this degree significantly differs in content from the master programme (e.g.: a degree in biology, physics, mathematics, industrial engineering, language studies), it will not be possible to bridge these deficiencies by online courses. 

• Bachelor degree in international studies:
  watch out for deficiencies in research skills. Make sure to submit writing samples, follow electives that are methodological in nature, and complete the online courses if there is still a maximum 5ECTS deficiency.
• Bachelor degree in criminology:
  students generally meet entry criteria across the two main pillars, except when the degree is closely aligned with a law degree, in which case they should watch out for deficiencies in the empirical research skills in social sciences pillar.
• Bachelor degree in history:
  watch out for deficiencies in the governance aspect, and brush up on research skills. Make sure to submit writing samples, follow relevant electives, and complete the online courses if there is still a maximum 5ECTS deficiency.
• Bachelor degree in law:
  watch out for deficiencies in crisis and security related topics (a course on criminal law is as such not sufficient), and especially research skills. Make sure to submit writing samples, follow relevant electives, ​​​​​​​and complete the online courses if there is still a maximum 5ECTS deficiency.
• Bachelor degree in psychology:
  watch out for deficiencies in the governance aspect. Follow relevant electives, and complete the online courses if there is still a maximum 5ECTS deficiency.
• Master degrees in the above fields:
  a Master degree should strengthen your knowledge on at least empirical research. Make sure to submit writing samples.
• Bachelor or Master degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO):
  though these programmes might touch upon one or even both pillars in the curriculum, they do so from a perspective of applied sciences. Hence applicants lack theoretical background needed to start the Master’s programme. It will almost be impossible to adhere to the requirements.

Minor

Finally, a minor programme can be a great way to increase knowledge on the two pillars. Currently, the Institute of Security and Global Affairs offers five minor programmes, but other minor programmes may also prove valuable:

• Security, Safety and Justice: the different courses touch upon each of the two pillars.
• Intelligence Studies: the different courses touch upon each of the two pillars.
• Global Affairs: the different courses concentrate on crisis, security and governance topics.
• Violence Studies: the different courses concentrate on crisis, security and governance topics.
• Cybersecurity and Cybercrime: the different courses concentrate on crisis, security and governance topics.

It is not mandatory, but to aid in your assessment, we highly recommend to include a placement letter in English, in which you explain how you meet the admission requirements. This serves to help the Board of Admissions gain further insight in your experiences (work and/or education) that might contribute to establish admissibility to the programme. Make sure to use this template.

You can download the template, fill it in, and add it to your application. List relevant academic courses or other relevant academic experiences (such as internships, summer courses, thesis or extra-curricular research), including if applicable the amount of ECTS or credits assigned to them.
For everything you list, it is recommended you hand in supporting documents, such as course descriptions, syllabi or writing samples. You can upload supporting documents via the application portal in uSis (ideally, integrate the supporting documents into one pdf).

Holders of one of the following degrees may be admitted to the programme:

1. Direct admission:
   When you have a bachelor’s degree in Security Studies, Public Administration or Political Science from Leiden University, you can be directly admitted. You can register through Studielink without needing to complete an application in Leiden University’s application system (Usis).
2. Eligible for direct admission:
   When you have a bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Political Science or International Relations from a recognised research university other than Leiden University you are eligible for direct admission. Register through Studielink and complete your application in Leiden University’s application system (uSis).
3. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university provided the student meets requirements across two pillars. First, at least 30 ECTS obtained from courses in the fields of governance, crisis or security related knowledge. Second, at least 20 ECTS related to empirical research skills in social sciences or similar empirical research skills. Register through Studielink and complete your application in Leiden University’s application system (uSis).
4. When you have a bachelor’s degree in Safety and Security Management Studies (SSMS) at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and have fulfilled the following academic criteria.
   Please note: you will have to apply through Studielink and the subsequent uSis application portal. Further, you still must meet the English language proficiency requirement mentioned in the paragraph ‘Language Requirements’ below.

If you meet the conditions under 1, you only need to apply through Studielink. If you do not meet the conditions under 1, you will need to apply through Studielink and through the online application system (uSis). You will be assessed on an individual base on proficiency in the English language and the requirements mentioned in 'Elaboration'.

Language requirements

IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge:

• IELTS 6.5
• TOEFL (internet-based) 90
• CPE or CAE 180

The test result may not be older than two years at the time of enrolment for the programme.

Exemption:

You are eligible for exemption from submitting results of an English proficiency test, if you meet one of the following requirements:

• An International Baccalaureate diploma from a programme taught in English (or an IB diploma with English A);
• A diploma of secondary or higher education completed in Australia, Canada (with the exception of the French-language programmes in Canada), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States or South Africa;
• A diploma of an English-taught university degree programme completed at a Dutch research university;
• A pre-university education (VWO) diploma;
• A bachelors' or masters' diploma from a Dutch university of applied sciences of an English taught programme if all instruction and examinations were held in English.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.

English tests accepted

Results may not be more than two years old! 

• IELTS: academic modules only 
• TOEFL: internet based
  - We do not accept TOEFL My Best ™ scores (multiple test scores combined). The sufficient score must be obtained in one individual test. Also not accepted are institutional tests such as ITP.
  - We are able to accept the TOEFL Special Home Edition™  for admission to the academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.
• Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced, depending on admission criteria

Please note: You do not have to submit proof of proficiency if you have completed your education in Australia, Canada (with the exception of the French-language programmes in Canada), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States or South Africa; or when you hold an International Baccalaureate, or for Dutch students, if you have completed VWO level English or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch Research University.

Holders of a bachelor's degree from a research university with a maximum of 5 ECTS of deficiencies, can eliminate their deficiencies in the curriculum by showing relevant knowledge with their extracurricular courses as shown on the below table:

The above elaboration on the requirements give an indication whether you will be admitted or not. At the same time, there are no assurances given. The first step by the Board of Admission is to examine the degree obtained. If this degree significantly differs in content from the master programme (e.g.: a degree in biology, physics, mathematics, industrial engineering, language studies), it will not be possible to bridge these deficiencies by online courses. 

• Bachelor degree in international studies:
  watch out for deficiencies in research skills. Make sure to submit writing samples, follow electives that are methodological in nature, and complete the online courses if there is still a maximum 5ECTS deficiency.
• Bachelor degree in criminology:
  watch out for deficiencies in the governance aspect. Make sure to follow electives that include this (e.g. on the organization or management of police forces), ​​​​​​​and complete the online courses if there is still a maximum 5ECTS deficiency.
• Bachelor degree in history:
  watch out for deficiencies in the governance aspect, and brush up on research skills. Make sure to submit writing samples, follow relevant electives, ​​​​​​​and complete the online courses if there is still a maximum 5ECTS deficiency.
• Bachelor degree in law:
  watch out for deficiencies in crisis and security related topics (a course on criminal law is as such not sufficient), and especially research skills. Make sure to submit writing samples, follow relevant electives, ​​​​​​​and complete the online courses if there is still a maximum 5ECTS deficiency.
• Bachelor degree in psychology:
  watch out for deficiencies in the governance aspect. Follow relevant electives, and complete the online courses if there is still a maximum 5ECTS deficiency.
• Master degrees in the above fields:
  a Master degree should strengthen your knowledge on at least empirical research. Make sure to submit writing samples.
• Bachelor or Master degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO):
  though these programmes might touch upon one or even both pillars in the curriculum, they do so from a perspective of applied sciences. Hence applicants lack theoretical background needed to start the Master’s programme. It will almost be impossible to adhere to the requirements.

Minor

Finally, a minor programme can be a great way to increase knowledge on the two pillars. Currently, the Institute of Security and Global Affairs offers five minor programmes, but other minor programmes may also prove valuable:

• Security, Safety and Justice: the different courses touch upon each of the two pillars.
• Intelligence Studies: the different courses touch upon each of the two pillars.
• Global Affairs: the different courses concentrate on crisis, security and governance topics.
• Violence Studies: the different courses concentrate on crisis, security and governance topics.
• Cybersecurity and Cybercrime: the different courses concentrate on crisis, security and governance topics.