Student associations

Leiden is bursting with student associations, from sports to music associations and from social to cultural associations. And this is good news because they will help you make more than just friends.

Student associations

Do you think that student associations are mainly about partying and drinking? Well think again. There’s much more to them than that. By enabling you to quickly meet people and make new friends, membership of a student association will soon have you feeling right at home in Leiden. A whole new world will open up to you as you get to know first-, second- and third-year students from other programmes. Furthermore, by playing an active role in your association you’ll learn new things, such as organisational, delegation and negotiating skills.

Types of student associations

Leiden has more than 20 student associations. But don’t worry if you’re not sure which ones you should join. During the  introduction week you can simply drop by them all, talk to existing members and visit their parties. Or, to get a better picture, you could check them out online first.

Introductory video tour student associations

Are you thinking about joining a student association next to your studies? In this series we look inside different associations: from socialising to sports and culture. Find out which one suits you!

Student associations for international students

At Leiden University you can also join student associations that are specifically for international students, for example: Erasmus Student Network Leiden and Leiden United. By organising and holding cultural, social and informative events, they ease international students’ integration into the environment in which they will be studying. Typically, they bridge the gap between Dutch students and students from outside the Netherlands.

Study associations

In addition to student associations, Leiden University also has several study associations. These bring together students who are following the same programme and they organise all manner of study-related activities, such as trips and readings, as well as social events like drinks and parties. Not just handy, but fun too! Do you know yet what your programme’s study association is called?

Max Condon

Student

I’m a member of the Study association L.A.S. Terra. Next year I will be part of the main board. We organize lectures, events, parties, movie nights and trips to different countries. I didn’t know about the association before I came here, but everything they do is beneficial. Most of my friends are here as well and we got to know each other during the first-year weekend already.