For managers at Leiden University, the (training) courses that form part of License to Lead are included in the university’s internal professional development programme. The costs are funded centrally, so neither you nor your organisational unit is required to pay for participation.

Please note: that, for the purposes of the cancellation policy, the costs paid centrally for the course are taken into account.

The registration page displays the standard course fee. This fee does not apply to participants taking the training as part of License to Lead. The amount shown is used solely for the application of the cancellation policy.

For more information, please consult the License to Lead Participation and Cancellation Regulations.

License to Lead forms the foundation of leadership development at Leiden University. It provides managers with practical tools and support to help them perform their role effectively and confidently. By following a shared development programme, all (new) managers develop a common understanding of leadership and a shared language based on the university’s Leadership Model. In this way, License to Lead contributes to effective leadership, the professional development of teams, and ultimately to the quality of education and research.

License to Lead is mandatory for new managers. From the moment you start in a (new) managerial position at Leiden University, you are considered a new manager for a period of two years. During this period, you are required to complete all mandatory components of License to Lead.

No. The requirement applies only to new managers. However, the programme components are strongly recommended for managers who have been in their role for more than two years. All License to Lead programmes are available to them free of charge. Together with your manager or HR adviser, you can determine which components best match your development needs.

If you do not complete the mandatory components of License to Lead within the required timeframe, discuss this with your manager. Together, you can review the reasons and agree on a plan for completing the required programme.

New managers have two years to complete the License to Lead training programme. If you require additional time, an extension can be requested through your HR adviser in consultation with your manager.

Exemptions may be granted for specific components of License to Lead. These are based on relevant experience and competencies demonstrated through your CV. In addition, you must show that you have acquired the required knowledge and skills. For newly appointed managers, this assessment takes place during the appointment process and may include a portfolio, narrative CV and/or assessment. Approval is granted by your HR adviser in consultation with your manager.

If you have gained leadership experience outside Leiden University, you may apply for an exemption from specific License to Lead training courses, provided you can demonstrate through your CV, portfolio and/or assessment that you already possess the required knowledge and competencies.

Every manager follows the programme at the Leading Yourself level, as this focuses on personal leadership.

In addition, you follow the programme that matches your leadership role:

• Leading Others: you formally or informally lead a small number of colleagues (fewer than five direct reports).
• Leading a Team: you lead a team or group (more than five direct reports).
• Leading the Organisation: you lead an organisational unit, faculty or department.

Not sure which level applies to you? Discuss this with your manager or HR adviser. For more information, please consult the License to Lead: Participation, Exemptions and Assessment document.

If your leadership role changes, this may also affect your leadership level within License to Lead. Discuss with your manager or HR adviser which programme components are most appropriate for your new role.

No. Every manager follows the programme at the Leading Yourself level, as well as the training courses associated with the leadership level that corresponds to their managerial role. This ensures that License to Lead aligns with the responsibilities of your position.

Yes, in many cases this is possible, subject to the availability of places. Discuss your development needs with your manager and consult your HR adviser to determine which training courses would be most beneficial for you.

No. You do not need to complete the License to Lead development programme before being promoted. Participation in License to Lead is expected only after you have been appointed to a managerial role. The learning pathways and training courses within License to Lead are specifically designed for managers at different leadership levels and are aligned with the responsibilities, challenges and issues associated with those roles.

Because the programme is closely linked to the day-to-day practice of leadership, it is most valuable once you are working in a managerial position. Before promotion, much of the content is often less relevant or immediately applicable. Participation in License to Lead is therefore not a prerequisite for promotion, but it is a mandatory part of your professional development after you have moved into a managerial role.

The time commitment varies. License to Lead consists of a range of training courses and a dedicated onboarding programme for managers, including both online and in-person elements.

Information about the duration, schedule and study load of each programme can be found on the relevant course pages.

If you are unable to attend a training course, you can cancel your registration free of charge, provided you do so at least four weeks before the start date.

Please note that registrations can only be cancelled through the Learning and Development module in the Talent and Development Platform in BAS InSite.

If you cancel less than four weeks before the start of the training, please email HRMOpleidingen@BB.leidenuniv.nl to process the cancellation. In that case, cancellation fees will apply in accordance with the agreements with the training providers:

• From three weeks before the course start date: 25% of the course fee
• From two weeks to one week before the course start date: 50% of the course fee
• Less than one week before the course start date: 100% of the course fee

If you are absent on the day of the course or do not attend without prior notice, 100% of the course fee will be charged.

Please note that only participation costs for License to Lead programmes are funded centrally. If you cancel after the deadline, the course fees will be charged to your organisational unit.

For more information, please consult the License to Lead Participation and Cancellation Policy.

For courses that run over a longer period and consist of multiple course days, circumstances such as personal commitments or work obligations may occasionally prevent you from attending a session.

If this happens, it is important to inform the trainer as early as possible. This allows you and the trainer to discuss a suitable solution and is also important because your absence may affect the rest of the group.

The following arrangements apply:

• Contact the trainer as soon as possible to agree whether and how you can successfully complete the missed component.
• If you do not attend a course day without having made prior arrangements with the trainer, a fee of €100 will be charged to your organisational unit. Alternative arrangements will then be explored to help you complete the course successfully.

For more information, please consult the License to Lead Participation and Cancellation Policy.

No. Enrolment is not automatic.

License to Lead consists of a variety of learning pathways and training courses, each with a different time commitment. It is your responsibility to plan your participation and register for the programmes that are relevant to you through the relevant course pages.

Please note that the Academic Leadership Programme has additional requirements, including nomination by the Faculty Board.

Yes. You can register for a course or training session at a time that fits your schedule, subject to availability. Available dates are listed on the course page of the programme you wish to attend.

The Onboarding for Managers programme is intended as the starting point for new managers.

Yes. Your registrations and completed programme components are recorded in the Learning and Development module of the Talent and Development Platform in BAS InSite, providing an overview of the training courses and learning pathways you have completed.

You will also receive a certificate upon successful completion of a training course or learning pathway.

Yes. Your registrations and completed programme components are recorded in the Learning and Development module of the Talent and Development Platform in BAS InSite, providing an overview of the training courses and learning pathways you have completed.

You will also receive a certificate upon successful completion of a training course.