You’ll need a BA or BSc degree (or equivalent) to be admitted to any of Leiden University’s master’s programmes.

The following requirements apply:

• IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
  • We do not accept IELTS Academic online 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 IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
• TOEFL internet based, for academic year 26-27*: 90 overall, with at least 4.0 (new 1-6 scale as of 21 January 2026) or 20 (old 0-30 scale) for each separate component, or, for academic year 27-28: 5.0 overall, with at least 4.5 for each separate component (or 90 overall and 20 for each separate component if taken before 21 January 2026).
  • We are not able to 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 English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.
• LanguageCert Academic: Test Centre only, 70 overall, with at least 65 for each separate component score.
• PTE Academic English test | Pearson PTE: 66 overall, with at least 61 for each separate component score.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.

* 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 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). Leiden University’s 2027-2028 score requirements will be based on the new grading scale and the language test appendix to Code of Conduct October 2026

*You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught degree at a Dutch research university or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.

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

The specific academic and professional entry requirements for each master’s programme are listed under each programme description.