The minimum requirement for admission to any bachelor’s programme at Leiden University is a diploma that is at least equal to the Dutch pre-university diploma (VWO). Our Admissions Office has drawn up a list of common non-Dutch diplomas that generally meet the minimum academic requirements. If you have a Dutch VWO diploma or a final diploma from a Dutch university or hogeschool (university of applied sciences) you can be automatically admitted after you have applied in Studielink. All other students need to submit an application for admission after their registration in Studielink.

Generally speaking, you have to submit an application for admission if:

• You are an international student (you have a non-Dutch diploma).
• You are a Dutch student without the Dutch VWO diploma or a final diploma from a Dutch university or hogeschool (university of applied sciences)
• You are a holder of a propedeuse diploma from a university of applied sciences (HBO) of a Dutch taught programme.

Propedeuse from a university of applied sciences (HBO)

The holder of a propedeuse diploma from a university of applied sciences of a Dutch taught programme must demonstrate that he or she possesses a good level of proficiency in written and spoken English. You must meet the minimum requirement of English proficiency before the start of the programme. You can demonstrate your proficiency by handing in a valid English test result. See the Language Requirements below for more information. In case you are a holder of a propaedeuse diploma from a university of applied sciences (HBO) of an English taught programme, you do not have to demonstrate your proficiency by handing in a valid English test result.

As this study programme is taught in English and all study activities must be undertaken in English, it is essential that you have a good level of proficiency in written and spoken English.

You do not need to submit an English proficiency test if you:

• have obtained a Dutch VWO diploma
• have obtained a bachelor’s or master’s diploma from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO) or a Dutch university
• have completed your secondary or higher education in the USA, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada), Singapore, South Africa or Malta.
• have obtained an International Baccalaureate™ Diploma (IB DP) taught in English or with English A HL.
• have obtained a German Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur) and English was included in your final year at least at Grundkurslevel.
• Exemptions can also be granted on the basis of certain other educational diplomas. Check our diploma requirements list to find out whether your diploma might entitle you to an exemption.

If none of the above apply to you, you must provide proof of proficiency by means of one of the following tests. You must arrange the test yourself. Test results may not be more than two years old

Leiden University accepts three kinds of official tests:

• IELTS - Academic modules only, on paper or on computer. Minimum score of 6.0 overall and 6.0 for  each separate component
  • We do not accept IELTS Academic online
  • We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator
• TOEFL Internet Based. Minimum score of 80 overall and 20 for each separate component
  • We do not accept the TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situations only:
    You took the test before 1 Sept 2022 (and it is not more than 2 years old), or 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 C2 Proficiency in English or Cambridge C1 Advanced English, with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

Also see general language requirements for additional information.

BSc Security Studies is a bachelor’s programme with a compulsory matching module.  As part of the application process you will be invited to participate in a ‘matching activity’. This is to make sure that BSc Security Studies is the right programme for you. Matching is a compulsory part of your admission and application procedure.

Once you have finished the required matching procedure, you will have:

• a good idea of the interdisciplinary scope of the Security Studies programme;
• become familiar with a number of basic concepts of the security domain;
• insight into the programme’s international perspective;
• a better idea of the potential career options available to you after completion of your degree.