Please upload a copy of the page(s) in your passport containing your personal details and photograph. If you are from the EU/EEA, you can submit a copy of your identity card instead. Please upload copies of both sides.

If you are a non-EU/EEA national already living in the Netherlands, upload copies of both sides of your Dutch residence permit.

Your CV (curriculum vitae) must be written in English and should contain your basic personal data, as well as a clear overview of your educational and professional history to date.

You can apply for admission before receiving the results of your English language test. However, a sufficient result will then be a condition of your eventual admission. Of course, if you already have your English language test results, you can upload them directly.

• Digital copies of diplomas and transcripts are initially required. Once you have been admitted, we will inform you how to submit certified copies.
• The documents must be in the original language. If they are not in English, Dutch, German or French, they must be accompanied by official translations into one of these languages.
• If you have not yet completed your current programme, state your expected graduation date and submit copies of all transcripts obtained to date plus a list of subjects still to be completed.

A well-argued and structured motivation letter in which you indicate why you want to follow the research programme, explain possible subjects for a research topic and convincingly discuss what makes you a good candidate for the research master's programme. The statement should be between 700 and 1,500 words.

RMA Applicants are asked to choose a supervisor with whom you will have the RMA interview. If admitted, you will also set up your personal study plan with this supervisor at the start of the programme. The supervisor will coach you throughout the programme and the choice of this supervisor also defines whether you will obtain a RMA or a RMSc degree.

Please indicate your choice in this document and submit this with your application.

In case you have not written a thesis, you will need to submit a research proposal, including an annotated bibliography of at least five items, outlining the topic or field of research that you wish to pursue at Leiden University

Please include 2 reference letters (at least one from an academic staff member). 
Your reference needs to write a letter in which he/she describes your skills and qualities in order to convince the department to admit you.

• Letters of recommendation must be written on letterhead paper, signed and (for verification purposes) they must bear the full contact details of the applicable referee.
• Your referee should describe your skills, qualities and competencies.

Option 1. Uploading the letter yourself
You can upload the letter(s) of recommendation in the online application portal (uSis).

Option 2. Sent by your referee
Your referee can send the letter directly to the university, as follows:

1. Your referee must clearly state your name and student number in the letter.
2. He or she should send the letter to us, either: 

• digitally, by uploading the letter in our contact form
• by posting it to:

Leiden University Admissions Office
“Gravensteen” Pieterskerkhof 6
2311 SR Leiden, the Netherlands

3. Complete this form and upload it in the online application system (uSis), instead of your letter of recommendation.