Universiteit Leiden

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Via Leiden University

Every semester, Leiden University reserves a number of rooms for international students via DUWO, a local housing agency. As there is limited availability, you are highly advised to apply for housing as early as possible.

Who is eligible?

Accommodation is intended for new international students who are joining Leiden University. A quota of accommodation is set aside for each of the following groups: international degree students (bachelor or master) and international non-degree students (exchange or study-abroad courses).

The maximum rental contract duration is one year and extensions are not possible. As a result, priority is given to short-stay students. So if you plan to study with us for longer than one year, we advise you to instead seek housing yourself. See our Finding Housing Yourself page for advice.

Not for partners or family
Housing via Leiden University is not intended for partners or family members. If your partner or family will accompany you, we advise you to search for your own housing well in advance.

When to apply for housing?

Accommodation is offered on a first-come first-served basis according to the date we receive your housing fee. So apply for housing and pay the housing fee as early as possible! You can even apply for housing whilst awaiting admission, but remember to cancel housing on time if you cannot attend.

Unfortunately, due to limited availability, we cannot guarantee accommodation to all students who apply for housing.

  • Once the number of housing requests exceeds the number of rooms available, we will close housing applications and post a notice on this page. This generally occurs around April (for studies starting for September) and November (for studies starting in February). But this can vary from year to year.
  • As there is a quota for each group (degree students and non-degree students), it can occur that applications close earlier for one group than the other. 

We will let you know by 15 June (for studies starting in September) or 30 November (for studies starting in February) if you applied in time and can be offered housing.

How to apply for housing?

  1. Apply for admission to a degree or exchange/study abroad programme at Leiden University.
     
  2. In the online application system (uSis), indicate that you want to request housing.
     
  3. Pay the €285 housing fee as instructed in uSis as soon as possible! Your place on the housing list is determined by the date we receive your housing fee.

    Have you applied for multiple programmes with the same start date but don’t know yet which you will follow? If so, you still only need to pay one housing fee.
     
  4. On approx. 15 June (studies starting in September) or 30 November (studies starting in February), we will send you an email letting you know that either:   
    • you applied in time and will soon be given access to the housing reservation portal, or
    • too many students applied before you so you will be put on a housing waiting list in case another student withdraws, or you can choose to cancel your housing application and request a refund of your housing fee.

      Please patiently await this email as we are unable to provide details before this date!

      If you choose to remain on the waiting list
      You can still request a refund or defer your housing application at a later date on condition that we have not yet offered you housing. See how to cancel or defer housing. Of course, if we are unable to offer you any housing at all, we will refund your housing fee.

If you are notified that you applied in time:

  1. Shortly after 15 June (studies starting in September) or 30 November (studies starting in February) we will begin sending activation emails for the ROOM-University housing reservation portal. Here you can find all the accommodation set aside by DUWO for Leiden University’s international students.

    Activiation emails will be sent in batches
    Students who paid the housing fee earliest will receive their activation email first, followed by the next batch and so on. Remember to check your emails and junk mail frequently from 15 June/30 November onwards!
     
  2. Immediately after receiving your activation email, activate your account, log into the ROOM-University housing reservation portal and reserve your accommodation. Be quick! Remember that other students will be reserving rooms at the same time as you. And the longer you wait, the more students will be granted access to the portal so the less choice you will have.
     
  3. Immediately after reserving your accommodation, make sure you have sufficient funds available to make your first payment. Before signing your tenancy agreement, DUWO will ask you to make an initial payment that includes 3 months rent. See the DUWO - Leiden University website for details.

Once you have reserved your room, you will receive information from DUWO on further procedures and payments. For further details see: 

On the DUWO terms and conditions page you can find information on matters such as tenancy regulations, cancellation policies and contract termination and extensions.

Till when can I cancel or defer housing?

No longer need housing or starting your studies later? If you cancel or defer housing before the deadline below, your housing fee can be refunded or transferred to a later semester.

  • 1 June: for studies starting in September
  • 15 November: for studies starting in February

After these dates, your housing fee can no longer be refunded/deferred, even if you are not admitted or cannot meet your admission conditions. Unless, of course, we are unable to offer you any housing at all.

Follow the steps below to cancel or defer housing:

Not via uSis

If you cancel or defer your studies in the online application system (uSis), your housing application will NOT be automatically cancelled/deferred. You must also follow the steps below.

Steps to take

  • Send a message via the Housing contact form letting us know you want to cancel or defer your housing application. Include your name and student number (from uSis).
  • Deferrals only: don’t forget to also defer your admission - see this FAQ for instructions. Once you have done so, we will transfer your housing application and fee to your new start date. You do not need to reapply for housing or pay the housing fee again.

About the accommodation

  • There are a range of accommodation types available, from rooms with shared facilities to individual apartments.
  • Prices range from € 425 to € 1200 euro per month (including utility charges).
  • All accommodation is furnished.
  • Accommodation is located in either Leiden, The Hague or the surrounding area and is easily accessible by public transport.
  • Rental contract periods may not correspond exactly with the start/end date of your study programme.

On the DUWO-Leiden University website you can find an overview of all accommodation types and locations.

Residence Life Programme

At most accommodation complexes for international students, Leiden University offers the Residence Life Programme. The goal of this programme is to help international students feel happy and at home in Leiden. Read more about the Residence Life Programme.

Students with a disability

If you have a disability you may require additional facilities in your living environment. Finding suitable accommodation can be time-consuming, so please contact the Housing Officer for advice well before 1 May (for studies starting in September) or 15 October (for studies starting in February). Also visit our webpages about studying with a disability or contact Fenestra Disability Centre.

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