Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSc)

Master

Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences - Leiden University

Discover the world at Leiden University

Specialisations
  • BioTherapeutics (MSc)
  • Drug Discovery and Safety (MSc)
  • Industrial Pharmacy (MSc)
  • Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology (MSc)
  • Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Business Studies (MSc)
  • Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science Communication and Society (MSc)
  • Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Education (MSc)

In the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences master’s programme you are trained at the leading edge of drug-design and fundamental research of new drugs, optimization of existing drugs, and personalised medicine.

What does this master’s programme entail?

Despite major advances in drug-research, many common diseases such as cancers, neurological diseases, cardiovascular disease and other auto-immune diseases, lack effective treatment, or are found incurable. You are trained for a scientific career in drug research and development. Depending on your interest, you can eventually choose from seven specialisations to further extend your scientific training and theoretical background. However, the research specialisations (Biotherapeutics, Drug Discovery and Safety, and Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology) are considered to be default specialisations. Hence, students will only be admitted to the master on a research specialisation. Students following the research specialisations continue their research training in the second year. Students opting for a non-research specialisation will be admitted after the successful completion of their first year of the master programme.

Read more about our Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences programme.

Discover why our students choose the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences master's programme

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Why study Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences at Leiden University?

Find more reasons to study Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences at Leiden University.

Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences: the right master’s programme for you?

The master’s programme of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (BPS) aims to train you in the research area of bio-pharmaceutical sciences and drug research in such a way that you have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience to be able to work independently as a scientific researcher. Moreover, you have a wide range of other career opportunities in bio-pharmaceutical industry, science communication, and education.

Read more about the entry requirements for Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Chat with a student

Do you have a question about studying at Leiden University or student life in Leiden? Do you want more information about the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions!

Why Leiden University?

We are committed to provide you with meaningful, rigorous and quality graduate experiences in a personalized environment with a cutting edge research infrastructure and internationally renowned supervisors.

Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research

Research environment

As a MSc students you are taken up as members of our institute thus providing an ideal environment for our philosophy; You can best learn science by doing science together with fellow junior and senior scientists.

Array of disciplines

You can expand your intellectual horizons while deepening your expertise in an array of disciplines. You can learn about the fundamentals of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences in a compelling and challenging environment. Disciplinary and interdisciplinary challenges provide a unique learning and research environment for our graduate programme.

Small groups

Courses and working classes concern small groups, while you are in one-to-one contact with our staff member during your research periods. We are committed to show that a graduate study in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences is professional in its core.

International environment

The Leiden Graduate School of Science aims to provide an international academic environment with an appreciable number of master and PhD students from abroad. Moreover the same applies to the scientific staff and the post-doctorate fellows. English is the language used in courses, the colloquia, the scientific meetings and the daily conversations that take place in the research groups.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science is a first-class research faculty with an excellent position in the basic disciplines of science. The current research and education programmes span the entire spectrum of science ranging from Mathematics and Statistical Science, Computer Science and Data Science, Astrophysics, Physics, Chemistry and Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences to Biology and Environmental Sciences. Our science community is driven by their curiosity and desire to increase basic knowledge, for science and to contribute to the great societal challenges of today and tomorrow. Core values are scientific impact, technological innovation and relevance to society. 

Study at a world-class university

Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and enjoys an excellent worldwide reputation built up over more than four centuries. Since 1575 we’ve provided sound personal education for hundreds of thousands of students. We’ll do our utmost to give you the best possible support. And if you can and want to do more, we’ll challenge you every step of the way. For many years, we’ve been among the leaders in Dutch university rankings and we are currently to be found in a variety of top international rankings too.

More reasons to choose Leiden University

About the programme

The two-years MSc programme spans the entire spectrum of Analytical BioSciences, Biopharmaceutics, Drug Delivery Technology, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Educational methods

Overview of the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences programme

The master’s programme offers three major research specialisations corresponding to the disciplines of the Research Clusters of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR):

The remaining four BPS tracks consist of a research component in combination with another specialisation:

The research specialisations are considered to be default specialisations of the master BPS. Students following the research specialisations continue their research training in the second year. Student’s opting for a non-research specialisation are admitted after the successful completion of their first year of the master’s programme.

The programme of all specialisations consists of an introduction course, one research project, at least one BPS lecture series, and the course Advanced  academic skills and career orientation. The general outline of year one of the master BPS is indicated below:

  • Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (6 EC)
    prepares you for Research Project 1
  • Research project 1 (47 EC)
    a nine-month research project within a division of the LACDR
  • Lecture series 1 in BPS (4 EC)
    select one of the lecture series listed in the e-prospectus of the master BPS
  • Course Advanced academic skills and career orientation (3 EC)

The programme of all three specialisations consists of an introduction course, two research projects, at least one BPS lecture series, the course Advanced  academic skills and career orientation, and optional courses. The general outline of the research-oriented specialisations is indicated below:

  • Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (6 EC)
    prepares you for Research Project 1
  • Research project 1 (47 EC)
    a nine-month research project within a division of the LACDR
  • Research project 2 (36 EC) -> 35EC
    a six-month research project at an academic institute or a pharmaceutical company
  • Literature study plus thesis (7 EC):
    five consecutive weeks at one of the divisions of the LACDR
  • Lecture series 1 in BPS (4 EC)
    select one of the lecture series listed in the e-prospectus of the master BPS
  • Course Advanced academic skills and career orientation (3 EC)
  • Optional courses or traineeships (18 EC)

Find out more about the specialisations:

The non-research specialisations combine at least one year of Biopharmaceutical Sciences (see 'Overview curriculum general part'; 60-62 EC) with training to prepare you for specific science-related careers (58-60 EC).  

Find out more about the practical-oriented specialisations:

Extra-curricular

Are you interested in taking up an extra challenge during your master’s programme? Have you thought about applying for our Summer School programme or are you interested in developing your personal leadership style?

Master Honours Education

Are you a curious and motivated master’s student? The Honours Academy of Leiden University offers various kinds of extracurricular education, ranging from long-running programmes to short-term courses. 

Leiden Leadership Programme

Are you interested in a leadership challenge? Join the Leiden Leadership Programme (LLP). This one-year programme will equip you with the leadership knowledge, insights and skills you need to increase your societal impact. You further your personal development through trainings, seminars and a practical assignment within an organisation, in which you learn to cooperate intensively with other professionals. With the LLP, you earn 15 EC in addition to your regular master's degree.

Master Honours Classes & Challenges

Would you like to further develop your academic skills and societal awareness? Join one of our Master Honours Classes & Challenges. In a small-scale, interdisciplinary course, you will tackle a complex issue for society or for a specific partner organisation. You will learn about the latest scientific insights concerning the topic and cooperate in a practical setting, together with students from many different backgrounds. There are Master Honours Classes on offer for 5 or 10 EC. 

Study Abroad

Drug researchers inherently operate internationally. Therefore, BPS students are strongly stimulated to go abroad for their second research project to gain international work experience. International experience is not only important to start building an international network but it will also increase the career prospects and chances in the job market.

Career prospects

In the Master’s programme in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences of Leiden University you are trained for a scientific career in drug research and development.

After graduating you are theoretically and experimentally trained in all relevant aspects of drug research. You have hands-on experience in specialized research project. The combination of expertise in drug research and academic skills makes you attractive for employers, irrespective of the chosen specialisation. All students who complete the master Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences, regardless of the specialisation, are admissible to a PhD programme in Bio-Pharmaceutical, Biomedical or other Life Sciences.

Career

One finds graduates from Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences in the entire width of the (bio)pharmaceutical field. Their careers generally remain closely related to the field of drug discovery and design, or the development and production of drugs, including drug quality, safety and clinical trials. Jobs outside research include various functions in the pharmaceutical industry, in biotechnology companies, or with the government.

Many graduates from Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences choose a career in scientific research and pursue a PhD degree. After obtaining your PhD degree you can continue as a postdoctoral fellow and subsequently, via a tenure track position at university, develop further to assistant-, associate-, or full professor.

*Predominantly PhD positions

Career preparation

Leiden University offers you several services related to career orientation and job application skills.

Career orientation BPS

The study association L.P.S.V. „Aesculapius” run by students of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences organizes several career orientation activities, such as an biannual Career day with pitches, presentations, workshops and stands of pharmaceutical and biotech companies and other possible future employers. Moreover, excursions to pharmaceutical companies and lunch lectures are organized.

Science Career Service

Are you looking for career advice? Get in touch with our science career advisor. The Science Career Service supports students of the Science Faculty in their career orientation and making effective career decisions during their study. We offer services such as consultation hours, individual appointments with the career counselor and advice on your CV or motivation letter. 

Science Career Event

Whether you are actively looking forward to meet interesting employers, or even if you have no idea what you career will look like yet, the Science Career Event gives you a chance to speak with a large number of employers. Every year the Science Career Event is organized by students of the Faculty of Science.  During this event you can get your resume checked, participate in a workshop or speed date with a potential employer to discuss possibilities in the near future. The Science Career Event is the ideal day to orient yourself on career possibilities.

The Mentor Network

If you have questions about the job market, you can get in touch with Leiden alumni who are happy to offer their advice. On the Mentor Network platform you can view the profiles of around 650 alumni. Once you have found someone you would like to contact for advice, you can send him or her a request for assistance.

Master's application and admission

Find out how to apply for Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Step-by-step guide

This guide clearly explains the steps you need to take to apply, and the subsequent admission process.

The research specialisations are considered to be default specialisations. Hence, students will only be admitted to the master on a research specialisation. Students following the research specialisations continue their research training in the second year. Students opting for a non-research specialisation will be admitted after the successful completion of their first year of the master programme.

Every master student of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences has to start with a Research Project of 9 months (RP1) within the LACDR (our research institute). On the website of the LACDR you can find information on the various research programmes that are offered by our research divisions. Research specialisations are associated with the research themes of the different divisions. 

BFW students who want to start the master BPS in the academic year 2023-2024 in September 2023, please enroll in studielink and fill out this RP1 registration form between April 1 and June 14, 2023. Based on the information you provide, the education office of the master BPS will match you with a suitable RP1 spot before July 1. This is also applicable to students who have completed the bachelor in past years.
All other students: Enrol in Studielink for one of the research specialisations. In case you are admissible, the admission committee of the master programme will match you with a suitable Research Project. A day later you will receive log-in details for Leiden University’s application system (uSis), where you can complete your application.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

Diploma requirements

You are eligible to apply if you have:

  • A BSc degree in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (Bio-Farmaceutische Wetenschappen) from any research university in the Netherlands.
    OR
  • A bachelor’s degree in a Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences-related programme from a research university in the Netherlands, under the condition that you have accumulated at least 150 EC (or the equivalence thereof) in courses/projects belonging to the domain of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and have had basic research training in the field of life science including a 16 EC, level 400 (or equivalent) final research assignment, covering all aspects of the research cycle and being concluded with an individual research thesis written in academic English, and an oral presentation.|

You might be eligible to apply if you hold a bachelor´s degree in a related programme such as Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Informatics with the specialisation Informatics & Biology, Life Science and Technology, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Your eligibility to apply depends on the individual choices that you made within your programme, e.g. the choice of a minor programme and research project(s) in the domain of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Board of Admissions will assess whether your degree and background are sufficiently related to the BSc degree in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences. Only after a positive decision of the Board of Admissions you will be admitted to the programme. 

Please note that admission to the specialisation in Industrial Pharmacy is limited to only a few students each year. Selection of candidates for this specialisation takes place during the first year of the programme. For this specialisation, proficiency in Dutch is required.

For more information, please contact the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences’ admission committee.
 

If you have a degree in Dutch higher vocational education (hbo/HLO) in a Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences-related field of science (e.g. Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences or equivalent field of Science), you are eligible to apply under the condition that you have:

  • accumulated at least 150 EC (or the equivalence thereof) in courses/projects belonging to the domain of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and have had basic research training in the field of life science including a 16 EC, level 400 (or equivalent) final research assignment, covering all aspects of the research cycle and being concluded with an individual research thesis written in academic English, and an oral presentation,obtained your degree within four years with a grade point average (GPA) above 7.5, and,
  • the research project that was included in the (hbo/HLO) programme must have been conducted at a research university or a university medical centre and must have been assessed with a grade above 8.0 (grades according to the Dutch grading scale).

Your eligibility to apply depends on the individual choices that you made within your programme, e.g. the choice of a minor programme and research project(s) in the domain of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Board of Admissions will assess whether your degree and background are sufficiently related to the level and content of the Dutch BSc degree in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and whether you meet the additional requirements. Only after a positive decision of the Board of Admissions you will be admitted to the programme. 

Please note that admission to the specialisation in Industrial Pharmacy is limited to only a few students each year. Selection of candidates for this specialisation takes place during the first year of the programme. For this specialisation, proficiency in Dutch is required.

For more information, please contact the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences’ admission committee.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences or in a Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences-related programme from a foreign research university with a level similar to Dutch research universities, you are eligible to apply under the condition that you have:

  •  accumulated at least 150 EC (or the equivalence thereof) in courses/projects belonging to the domain of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and have had basic research training in the field of life science including a 16 EC, level 400 (or equivalent) final research assignment, covering all aspects of the research cycle and being concluded with an individual research thesis written in academic English, and an oral presentation.

You might be eligible to apply if you hold a bachelor´s degree in a related programme such as Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Informatics with the specialisation Informatics & Biology, Life Science and Technology, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Your eligibility to apply depends on the individual choices that you made within your programme, e.g. the choice of a minor programme and research project(s) in the domain of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Board of Admissions will assess whether your degree and background are sufficiently related to the Dutch BSc degree in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences. Only after a positive decision of the Board of Admissions you will be admitted to the programme. 

Please note that admission to the specialisation in Industrial Pharmacy is limited to only a few students each year. Selection of candidates for this specialisation takes place during the first year of the programme. For this specialisation, proficiency in Dutch is required.

For more information, please contact the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences’ admission committee.

Language requirements

In order to successfully participate in this programme, you must be proficient in English. The following requirements apply*:

  • IELTS: minimum 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 for each of the components Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
  • TOEFL: internet based 90, with a minimum of 20 for each of the components Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

The test result may not be older than two years at the time of enrolment for the programme.

*Please note: You do not have to submit proof of proficiency if you have

  • An International Baccalaureate diploma from a programme taught in English (or an IB diploma with “English A”);
  • A diploma of secondary or higher education completed in Australia, Canada (with the exception of French-language programmes in Canada), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States or South Africa; 
  • A diploma of an English-taught university degree programme completed at a Dutch research university; 
  • A Dutch pre-university education (vwo) diploma. 

For detailed information about which English qualifications are accepted, as well as the relevant exemption criteria, refer to English language proficiency.

The following requirements apply: 

  • IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
    • We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
    • We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator.
       
  • TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 20 for each separate component.
    • We are not able to 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 English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old.

You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to 
English language proficiency
.

The education component and the Industrial Pharmacy specialisation of this master's programme are taught in Dutch. All applicants that have not achieved a Secondary Education qualification in the Netherlands, have to demonstrate their Dutch communication skills. The level of Dutch is assessed through an advanced Dutch language exam. For more information about the exam: Admission Exam TUL Advanced

A Dutch as a Second Language Certificate (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal) at Educatief Startbekwaam or Educatief Professioneel level is also sufficient to meet the language requirement.

Mind: after completion of the Education specialisation you obtain a qualifications to be a teacher in the Netherlands.

We expect students to bring a regular laptop running Windows (or running Linux for certain study programmes – check your course information). MacOS may in most cases also suffice (with Parallels for Windows installed), but not all specialized applications may be supported, and less support may be available. 
•    Windows 11 compatible – 64-bits (or Linux for some study programmes) 
•    Processor/CPU – modern, medium range 
•    Memory/RAM – 8 GB, if possible 16 GB 
•    Storage – 512 GB, if possible 1 TB 

>> Go to the next step: Check the application deadlines

Application deadlines

Application deadlines

  • If you need a visa or residence permit, you must apply for admission before 1 AprilThe same deadline applies to students who already have a Dutch residence permit for study purposes and need to extend it.
  • If you do not need a visa or residence permit, you must apply for admission before 15 May.
  • If you need a visa or residence permit, you must apply for admission before 15 October.
  • If you do not need a visa or residence permit, you must apply for admission before 15 November.

Application start and deadline

It is possible to start studying in both September and February. However, starting in September is highly recommended because otherwise the programme contains a lot of self-study in the first semester. Therefore, for starting dates other than in September, the Board of Admissions will judge whether the candidate’s academic background provides sufficient confidence that the candidate will be able to complete the Master’s programme in two years.

Apply early!

If you do not have a Dutch diploma that grants direct admission or you need to meet additional admission criteria, you’ll have to complete a two-part application procedure:

You must submit your application via Leiden University’s application system (uSis), before the deadlines mentioned above. So don’t delay; if you haven’t registered in Studielink and activated your uSis account in time to apply by the deadline, you’ll miss out!

Other deadlines

Leiden University reserves a limited number of rooms each year for international students. However, as the number of housing requests always greatly exceeds the number of rooms available, we strongly recommend that you also look into other housing options at the same time. Read more about how and when to arrange housing. If you want to request accommodation via Leiden University, submit both your application for admission and your housing request well before the deadlines! Accommodation is offered on a first-come first-served basis and is not guaranteed. You don’t have to await admission before requesting housing.

If you want to apply for a scholarship, grant or loan, please bear in mind that different deadlines apply, and these deadlines can often be earlier. Deadlines vary per scholarship. Visit the scholarship website for more details.

>> Go to the next step: Collect the required documents

Required documents

When you apply for admission, you’ll be asked to submit several documents.

Note: If you have a Dutch diploma that grants direct admission, you will generally not be asked to submit additional documents.

 

Required application documents

You’ll need to submit the following documents:

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.

If you have a BSc degree in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (BFW; Bio-farmaceutische wetenschappen) from any research university in the Netherlands, you are directly admissible
Please indicate your interest for a specific Research Project 1 (RP1) by filling in a specific form:

Additional documents for this programme:

For all students except student who have a bachelor BFW:
In this letter you are asked to explain in writing that you possess the same level of knowledge, understanding and skills as applicants who are holding a Bachelor’s degree in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences from a Dutch research university. 
Please indicate also in this letter at which research division of the LACDR you would like to do a
Research Project.
In order to be admissible it is essential for you to have sufficient (hands-on) training in research. Therefore we recommend that you choose the research themes that fit best with your prior education. Please also refer to this research experience in this letter.

 

 

To assess if the level of your research experience and skills is equivalent to the bachelor’s degree programme in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences you are requested to upload the thesis/report of your bachelor graduation research project/assignment. 

  • The thesis/report must have been written in English with you as the single author. Please note: In case the original document is not in English, it must be accompanied with an English translation.
  • If you have not yet completed your bachelor graduation research project, please complete this form. In that case, please upload the filled out form in your application at the ‘Essay/writing sample’ spot.

Please note that if you would like to apply for a scholarship with this programme, you may need to upload additional documents with your application. Please inform yourself here

>> Go to the next step: Step 4: Start your application

Application procedure

The application procedure is broken down into three parts.

Part 1. Application in Studielink

All students applying for a degree programme at Leiden University must start the application process in Studielink, the national online registration system for students wishing to follow a degree programme at a Dutch university. Studielink is open for applications from 1 October in the year preceding the academic year in which you wish to start.

1. Go to Studielink and enter your details according to the instructions provided. For this step you will need:

  • a copy of your valid passport or European ID card, or
  • if you are a Dutch resident, your DigiD

Be aware! If you wish to apply for a specialisation of a master's programme: first select the master’s programme in Studielink, then select the specialisation for which you wish to apply in Step 4 (Institutional Questions) in Studielink.

2. Within two days you will receive:

  • an email with information on the next steps you'll need to take;
  • your university ULCN student account details (unless, of course, you already have a ULCN account)
  • the link to Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis)

After receiving your ULCN student account details, log into Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis), using the link provided. Here you can view the status of your application, which will be one of two possibilities.

1. You can be directly admitted
If your (Dutch) diploma grants you direct admission, Leiden University's online application portal (uSis) will let you know. The portal provides an overview of what you have to do to complete your application, for example arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances. Please follow the instructions carefully and proceed to step 3 Student registration.

2. You cannot be directly admitted: additional action is required
If you do not have a (Dutch) diploma that grants you direct admission, we will require additional documents to allow us to decide about your application. The online application portal (uSis) will tell you this and explain how to do so. See also Part 2: Admission to Leiden University.

Part 2. Admission to Leiden University

If you cannot be directly admitted, you must apply for admission via Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis). Please follow all steps below. 

In our online application portal (uSis) you can finalise your application by uploading the necessary documents and answering a few questions. This portal provides an overview of what you need to do to complete your admission application. Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure to include all the items that are asked for. We strongly recommend that you complete your application well in advance of the application deadline.

All applicants with an international degree must pay a non-refundable €100 application fee, which entitles you to apply for up to three programmes/specialisations in the same academic year. We cannot start processing your application until we receive this application fee, so please pay it as soon as possible. The online application system explains how you can pay it.

Can I be exempted from paying the application fee?
You do not have to pay the application fee if:

  • You are following, or have completed, a bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university (of applied sciences). 
  • You have previously registered as an exchange, bachelor’s, master’s or pre-master’s student at Leiden University.
  • You have previously been admitted to the same degree programme at Leiden University, but you decided to postpone your studies. This does not apply if you are applying for a different study programme or specialisation.
  • You have refugee status in the Netherlands (with a residence permit for asylum).

Exemptions cannot be granted for any other reasons.

After you have submitted your application, the online application portal (uSis) will, if applicable, ask you if you want to apply for student housing, a visa/residence permit or a scholarship. Be sure to make a careful note of the relevant deadlines for these options.  

After receiving your application fee payment (if applicable), the Admissions Office will check whether all the necessary documents have been uploaded and they will inform you by email whether any further items are required. The Board of Admissions of the faculty will then:

  • decide whether you meet the admission requirements for the programme; 
  • strive to issue a decision on your completed application within four to six weeks of the University receiving it.

Once a decision has been reached you will be informed by email. You can view your admission status in the online application portal (uSis).

There are three possible outcomes:

  1. You are admitted
    You have met all conditions for admission.
  2. You are conditionally admitted
    You will be admitted, provided that you meet certain conditions. These conditions will be specified in the online application portal (uSis).
  3. You are not admitted

The reason(s) for non-admission will be clearly stated in the online application portal (uSis). If you are informed that you have been (conditionally) admitted, you will have to take a number of additional steps.

If you are (conditionally) admitted, the Admissions Office will ask you to confirm whether you will join the study programme. You can do so in the online application portal (uSis).

1.    Go to ‘Application study programme’ in the online application portal (uSis).
2.    Open the ‘Confirm’ screen. Here you will see three options:

  • Yes, I want to study at Leiden University.
  • No, I no longer wish to study at Leiden University and hereby withdraw my application.
  • Maybe later; I do not wish to start this semester/academic year. I would like to receive further instructions by email.

The sooner the better
Confirm attendance as soon as possible, to avoid missing other important deadlines and information about your study programme.

Changing your mind
You can still change your mind if necessary, either in uSis or by contacting the Admissions Office master team.  

Deadline final decision 
Do you need a student visa or residence permit? You can only request one after confirming attendance. So make sure to confirm attendance before the visa/residence permit deadline

If you don’t need a visa or residence permit, the latest deadline for confirming attendance is before the start date of your study programme.

Part 3. Student registration

If you’ve been (conditionally) admitted, follow these steps to register as a student at Leiden University:

Check in the online application portal (uSis) whether you need to submit any documents to meet the conditions of your admission. Instructions on how to do so will be provided in uSis.

Arrange the payment of your tuition fee before the official start date of your programme. You will receive instructions and information on the available payment methods by email.

If you are an international student, go to the Prepare your stay page of our website for information about the practical matters you should take care of before and upon arrival. These include, for example, arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances.

>> Go to the next step. Step 5: Pay your tuition fees

Tuition fees

Your tuition fee depends on a number of factors, such as your nationality and your previous Dutch higher-education qualifications.

The tuition fees for the academic year 2023-2024 are:

The tuition fees for the academic year 2024-2025 are:

More information about tuition fees

The tuition fee for this programme is €2,314 for the academic year 2023-2024 (statutory fee).
The tuition fee for this programme is €2,530 for the academic year 2024-2025 (statutory fee).

This tuition fee applies if this is your first master’s programme and you are a national of one of the following countries:

Austria

Latvia

Belgium

Liechtenstein

Bulgaria

Lithuania

Croatia

Luxembourg

Cyprus

Malta

Czech Republic

Norway

Denmark

Poland

Estonia

Portugal

Finland

Romania

France

Slovakia

Germany

Slovenia

Greece

Spain

Hungary

Suriname

Iceland

Sweden

Ireland

Switzerland

Italy

 


The fee applies for both full-time and part-time study.

The tuition fee for this programme is €19,600 for the academic year 2023-2024 (institutional tuition fee). 
The tuition fee for this programme is €21,200 for the academic year 2024-2025 (institutional tuition fee).

If you are not a national of an EEA country, Suriname or Switzerland, generally speaking you will have to pay an institutional tuition fee. This fee applies for both full-time and part-time study. 

However, if, on the basis of your Dutch residence permit, you are eligible for student finance from the Dutch education agency (DUO) you are entitled to pay the statutory tuition fee. Information on qualifying residence permits can be found in the DUO nationality chart.

Please note! If you will be studying at Leiden University via a cooperation agreement, the fees quoted in the agreement will apply.

Only applicable to EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese nationals.

The tuition fee for this programme is €15,400 for the academic year 2023-2024 (institutional tuition fee). 
The tuition fee for this programme is €16,300 for the academic year 2024-2025 (institutional tuition fee).

If you are following a second Dutch master’s programme you will generally have to pay an institutional tuition fee that is higher than the statutory tuition fee. Some exceptions apply.

Consult the tuition fee flowchart for second master’s programmes to find out how much tuition fee you will have to pay.​​​​​

Less than 45 EC

If you are going to follow a pre-master's or conversion programme after completing a bachelor’s programme, and if the programme is less than 60 ECs, you will have to pay €42 per study credit (EC).

45 EC or more

For programmes of more than 45 ECs you will have to pay the statutory tuition fee. If the pre-master's or conversion programme is more than 60 ECs – and therefore longer than one year - or if you are going to follow courses that are not part of your conversion programme, you will have to pay the institutional tuition fee for the programme in question (see second study programme). These fees apply to students of all nationalities. 

Scholarships, grants and loans

Leiden University offers a wide range of scholarships for students from specific regions of the world, or for specific programmes. Leiden University also offers the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS), a programme specifically designed for non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a master’s programme. Find out more about scholarships, grants, loans and deadlines

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national and under 30, you may be eligible for a loan from the Dutch government to cover your tuition fees.

>> Go to the next step. Step 6: Prepare for your studies at Leiden University

Prepare for your studies

You’ve been accepted! Leiden University looks forward to welcoming you as a new student. Your next step is to prepare for your studies. Below you can find some tips to help you get a head start as you embark on your studies at Leiden University.

For international students

If you are an international student, a wealth of information can be found on the ‘Prepare your stay’ page of our website. This includes information about visas, housing, financial matters, what to arrange upon arrival, and much more.

For Dutch students

  • The ‘student website’ page on Leiden University’s student website contains information about practical aspects, introduction weeks and student associations. It’s also a handy source of study-related information and advice.
  • For detailed information about courses, schedules and reading materials, check out the Prospectus. 

Sign up for the introduction week in Leiden (OWL) or The Hague (HOP)It’s the best way to get acquainted with student life and the student cities of Leiden and The Hague. 

Your student card is your proof of registration as a student of Leiden University. You can find your digital student card in the Leiden University app three days after your student registration is finalised. Read more about your student card here

As soon as you receive notification that your student registration has been finalised you should apply for a Leiden University ID card, or LU-Card. It also serves as your library card, print & copy card and access pass. Read more about applying for an LU-card here.  

Student life

Your time at Leiden is about more than just studying. Some of your best experiences will stem from being a part of our lively and diverse student community, as well as from life in the beautiful city of Leiden.

Life in Leiden

Quaint, picturesque and the perfect size, Leiden is an idyllic place to spend your university days. You will soon become familiar with the dozens of cafes, shops and bars that line the leafy canals, as well as its year-round line-up of cultural events. For visits further afield, the major cities of The Hague and Amsterdam are a short train ride away, along with Schiphol Airport, which is just half an hour away by train.

Within the university’s student community, our study and student associations organise a huge variety of social, cultural, and study events to keep you busy all year round. You can also join the University Sports Centre, which offers scheduled group sports and fitness classes amongst other activities.

Welcome and orientation programme

In August and February each year, Leiden University hosts the English-language Orientation Week Leiden (OWL), which welcomes both international and Dutch students. The OWL is an excellent way to get to know Leiden University, the city and to meet other students.

Student Association L.P.S.V. „Aesculapius”

The Leiden Pharmaceutical Student-Association (L.P.S.V.) „Aesculapius” was founded on November 16th 1885 and has since operated on the behalf of the students of Pharmacy and later Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (BPS). The association organizes events for BPS students. From symposia, lunch lectures and career events to social drinks and parties.

Science Buddy Programme

The Science master’s Buddy Programme has been set up by the Faculty of Science to help all international students who are new to the university to integrate quickly and easily into university life. Through the programme you will learn everything you need to know about the university, the student community, and the practical side of life in Leiden. Your buddy is your first connection in the Netherlands and can help you to find your way around. A few weeks before the start of your studies, you will get an invitation for the programme. After signing up, you will be matched to a student preferably from your own study programme.

Information activities

Get to know us through our online and in-person events for prospective students!

Taster day: join the LACDR Spring Symposium

During this symposium the focus is on the research activities of the LACDR PhD students, through poster presentations and oral presentations. It is also the opportunity for interaction between researchers within the LACDR, students of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences, and researchers of the Faculty of Science. For prospect students it is a unique opportunity to get informed about the possibilities within the programme and get acquainted with the institute.

 

Student with laptop
Student with laptop

Are you thinking about joining this Master's programme, and want to determine if it will be the right fit for you? Below, you can browse the events that we have coming up, and sign up to experience Leiden University and the programme for yourself. Alternatively, take a look at the Master Talks videos to find out more about the programme or check out our virtual campus tours! 

Master Talks: Programme videos

On the Master Talks: programme videos platform you can find videos for each master’s programme. This includes a video which gives a short introduction to the programme and after the Master's Online Open Days you will also be able to watch a recording of the programme presentation on the platform.  

Upcoming events

Master's Online Open Days Autumn 2024

The annual Master's Online Open Days in autumn are your opportunity to learn everything you need to know about our master’s programmes and how they can help you reach your goals. Attend talkshows or student presentations, meet our lecturers, learn about the careers of our graduates and hear first-hand the experiences of students and graduates on life at Leiden University. 

Sign up for the next Master's Online Open Days here! 

On Campus Master's Open Day Spring 2025

The On Campus Master's Open Day is your opportunity to learn everything you need to know about our master’s programmes and how they can help you reach your goals. Attend talkshows or student presentations, meet our lecturers, learn about the careers of our graduates and hear first-hand the experiences of current students and graduates on life at Leiden University. Experience the atmosphere of our campus and ask all your questions at our information market! Some programmes also offer additional tours.

Sign up for the next Master's Open Day here! 

Get to know the campus

Check out our virtual campus tours, filmed in 360 degrees – by dragging the video, you can look around at the surroundings yourself. Below is the video recorded at the Science faculty, where most of your lectures will take place; you can also view other 360 campus tours of the various university faculties here

360 Campus tour: the Science faculty

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Watch the video on the original website or

Contact

Do you have questions about the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences master’s programme? Please contact us.

Contact the programme

For more information and questions about the programme contact:

Admission Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences
E-mail: admissionbps@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl
Phone: +31 (0)71 527 6010

Do you have questions about studying at Leiden University?
Do you want to know more about one or more programmes or about our information activities? The StudyLine is a source of information for students and is staffed by students. You can contact them by mail or by phone on +31 (0)71 527 11 11  on working days between 9.00 am and 17.00 pm. 

Do you have questions on your admission and application?
For questions about your admission and application, you can contact the Student Information Centre. You can contact them by telephone on +31 (0)71 527 80 11 (daily between 11:00 am and 16:00 pm) or ask your question in the online contact form.

Chat with a student

Do you have a question about studying at Leiden University or student life in Leiden? Do you want more information about the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions!