International Studies (BA)

Why Leiden University

What makes International Studies at Leiden University unique

• Study in The Hague, the centre of international politics and policy-making in the Netherlands.
• Analyse the world from various perspectives, focusing on culture, history, economics and politics.
• Choose to specialise in one of eight world regions.
• Learn a language from your chosen region.
• Benefit from the practical career skills that you will acquire by participating in the third-year PRINS consultancy course.
• Learn about other cultures and develop an intercultural outlook while studying with fellow students from the Netherlands and about 50 other countries.

Study at a world-class university

Leiden University is a world-class university that is one of the oldest in Europe. Founded in 1575, we have consistently been building a solid position of scholarly authority that is recognised in the academic and professional worlds. Leiden, and particularly its Faculty of Humanities, is rated consistently high in all the major Dutch and international rankings, with the Faculty of Humanities as one of its top-tier departments.

Our academic staff includes many scholars with an excellent international reputation. Their research contributes to and shapes the debates that our societies engage in every day. Students can participate in that research, as our staff integrate their latest insights into their lectures.

Commitment to freedom

As our students you are important to us, and we will do everything we can to give you the best possible support. As a university, we are committed to freedom: freedom of spirit, thinking and expression, and we will challenge you to become an independent thinker.

Diversity and inclusion

We are convinced that our education can only flourish if everyone within the programme feels supported, respected and empowered to do their best work. We find it important to offer a learning environment that allows for different perspectives and points of view that students bring with them, depending on their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, health, religion, age or socio-economic background. Every new generation sees the world from a new perspective – and our students are the newest generation. We look forward to hearing more about your perspective. Leiden University has been pursuing diversity policy since 2014, with the aim of creating a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment for all staff and students. 
More reasons to choose Leiden University.

The Hague: the perfect location for International Studies

The International Studies programme is taught in The Hague. The city, which is only a short train ride away from Leiden, has around 550,000 inhabitants, representing a large number of nationalities from a wide variety of backgrounds. It is the seat of Dutch government and is home to many embassies and over 200 international organisations.

As for living in The Hague: you will certainly enjoy the many opportunities to spend leisure time, ranging from theatres, cinema’s and museums to terraces, pubs and restaurants. It is also a relaxed city with many parks and beaches at bicycle distance.

Discover the world at the Faculty of Humanities

Leiden University’s Faculty of Humanities offers an inspiring and international work environment with room for diversity and reform for employees and students from the Netherlands and abroad. It offers a wide range of education, with students being able to choose from no less than 26 Bachelor’s and 27 Master’s degree programmes. The Faculty’s research is organised within seven institutes and contributes to six research dossiers for research at Leiden University.

In this era of globalisation, humanities are more important than ever. Migration, integration, trade, and technology are blurring the borders between countries and cultures. To be able to cooperate and live together, it is crucial that we understand each other. Humanities offer the insights we need to do this. The Leiden Faculty of Humanities helps you to discover the world!