Holders of one of the following degrees may be admitted to the programme:

1. When you have a bachelor’s degree in Security Studies from Leiden University, or a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science or International Relations from a recognized research university, you are eligible for direct admission. 
2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university provided the student has at least 30 ECTS obtained from courses in the fields of governance, crisis or security related knowledge and 20 ECTS related to empirical research skills in social sciences or similar empirical research skills.
3. When you have a bachelor’s degree in Safety and Security Management Studies (The Hague University of Applied Sciences) and have fulfilled the following academic and administrative criteria, your application to the Msc programme ‘Crisis and Security Management’ of Leiden University will be accepted:
   • a bachelor’s degree in Safety and Security Management Studies (SSMS) from The Hague University of Applied Science;
   • At least minimum GPA of 7.5 for all the following courses combined:

Year 2

• Safety Risk Management
• International Relations and Geopolitics
• National Security Systems
• Managing International Conflict

Year 3

• Interorganisational Cooperation
• Rethinking Safety and Security
• Thesis Research Skills
• Thesis Research Tutorial

And minimum grade of 7.5 for each of the following elements:

• Written Thesis (Year 4)
• Thesis Defence (Year 4)

Please note: you will have to apply through Studielink and the subsequent uSis application portal. Further, you still must meet the English language proficiency requirement mentioned in the paragraph ‘Language Requirements’ below.

If you do not meet the conditions under a, b or c you will need to apply through Studielink and through the online application system. You will be assessed on an individual base on the following requirements;

•  At least 30 ECTS obtained at a recognized research university in courses in the field of governance, crisis or security knowledge. If you do not meet these and your deficiency is a maximum of 5 ECTS in total, this can be bridged by doing 3 MOOCs on governance, crisis and/ or security by a recognized research university. Official certificates must be obtained for these courses. Examples are: MOOCs related terrorism studies, crisis governance, cybersecurity governance, risk in a modern society, etc;
• At least 20 ECTS of the course curriculum at a recognized research university related to empirical research skills in social sciences. Please note that ECTS obtained for a thesis are only considered when it concerns an empirical research project in the social sciences. If you do not meet the requirements specified in the cell to the left, and your deficiency is a maximum of 5 ECTS in total, this can be bridged by doing 3 MOOCs on empirical research skills in social science by a recognized research university. Official certificates must be obtained forthese courses. Examples are: MOOCs related to quantitative research methods, qualitative research methods, research design, social science methods, etc
• Proficiency in the English language: see next paragraph for details.

IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge:

• IELTS 6.5
• TOEFL (internet-based) 90
• CPE or CAE 180

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

Exemption:

You are eligible for exemption from submitting results of an English proficiency test, if you meet one of the following requirements:

• 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 the 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 pre-university education (VWO) diploma;
• A bachelors' or masters' diploma from a Dutch university of applied sciences of an English taught programme if all instruction and examinations were held in English.

Detailed information English language proficiency

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

English tests accepted

Results may not be more than two years old! 

• IELTS: academic modules only 
• TOEFL: internet based
  - We do not accept TOEFL My Best ™ scores (multiple test scores combined). The sufficient score must be obtained in one individual test. Also not accepted are institutional tests such as ITP.
  - We are able to accept the TOEFL Special Home Edition™  for admission to the academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.
• Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced, depending on admission criteria

Please note: You do not have to submit proof of proficiency if you have completed your education in Australia, Canada (with the exception of the French-language programmes in Canada), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States or South Africa; or when you hold an International Baccalaureate, or for Dutch students, if you have completed VWO level English or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch Research University.

Holders of a bachelor's degree from a research university with a maximum of 5 ECTS of deficiencies, can eliminate their deficiencies in the curriculum by showing relevant knowledge with their extracurricular courses as shown on the below table:

The above elaboration on the requirements give an indication whether you will be admitted or not. At the same time, there are no assurances given. The first step by the Board of Admission is to examine the degree obtained. If this degree significantly differs in content from the master programme (e.g.: a degree in biology, physics, mathematics, industrial engineering, language studies), it will not be possible to bridge these deficiencies by work experience or online courses. Here are some general guidelines to bridge the maximum of 5 ECTS deficiency (again, non-exhaustive, and no assurances can be given that this will guarantee you admission):

• Bachelor degree in international studies:
  watch out for deficiencies in research skills. Make sure to submit writing samples, follow electives that are methodological in nature, and complete the online courses.
• Bachelor degree in criminology:
  watch out for deficiencies in the governance aspect. Make sure to follow electives that include this (e.g. on the organization or management of police forces), or complete the online courses.
• Bachelor degree in history:
  watch out for deficiencies in the governance aspect, and brush up on research skills. Make sure to submit writing samples, follow relevant electives, or complete the online courses.
• Bachelor degree in law:
  watch out for deficiencies in crisis and security related topics (a course on criminal law is as such not sufficient), and especially research skills. Make sure to submit writing samples, follow relevant electives, or complete the online courses.
• Bachelor degree in psychology:
  watch out for deficiencies in the governance aspect. Follow relevant electives, or complete the online courses.
• Master degrees in the above fields:
  a Master degree should strengthen your knowledge on at least empirical research. Make sure to submit writing samples.
• Bachelor or Master degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO):
  though these programmes might touch upon one, several, or even all of the three pillars in the curriculum, they do so from a perspective of applied sciences. Hence applicants lack theoretical background needed to start the Master’s programme. It will almost be impossible to adhere to the requirements. We strongly recommend to follow relevant additional courses at University level, and/or to complete all of the online courses suggested above (or similar ones).
  Make sure to submit writing samples as well that demonstrate your abilities in research (methodology and research design).

Minor

Finally, a minor programme can be a great way to increase knowledge on the three pillars. Currently, the Institute of Security and Global Affairs offers three minor programmes, but other minor programmes may also prove valuable:
•    Security, Safety and Justice: the different courses touch on each of the three pillars.
•    Global Affairs: the different courses concentrate on crisis and security topics, and to some extent governance issues.
•    Intelligence Studies: the different courses concentrate mainly on crisis and security topics.