• A bachelor degree in Cultural Anthropology, or a bachelor degree with a major in Cultural Anthropology, or its equivalent in Social and Behavioural Studies, Cultural Studies, or Humanities from a recognised university (according to NUFFIC classification).

• Basic training in the anthropological research process and methodology (research proposal, fieldwork, and data analysis).

• A bachelor degree in Cultural Anthropology, or a bachelor degree with a major in Cultural Anthropology, or its equivalent in Social and Behavioural Studies, Cultural Studies, or Humanities from a recognised university (according to NUFFIC classification).

• Basic training in the anthropological research process and methodology (research proposal, fieldwork, and data analysis).

Applicants with a bachelor's or master’s degree from higher professional education (HBO) in the field of culture, behavior, and society (or in a closely related field) that meet the language requirements, are taken into consideration for our 60 ECTS pre-master’s programme.

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 except in the following situation only:
    • 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 IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
• TOEFL internet based, for academic year 26-27*: 90 overall, with at least 4.0 (new 1-6 scale as of 21 January 2026) or 20 (old 0-30 scale) for each separate component, or, for academic year 27-28: 5.0 overall, with at least 4.5 for each separate component (or 90 overall and 20 for each separate component if taken before 21 January 2026).
  • We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only:
    • 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.
• LanguageCert Academic: Test Centre only, 70 overall, with at least 65 for each separate component score.
• PTE Academic English test | Pearson PTE: 66 overall, with at least 61 for each separate component score.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.

* New TOEFL grading scale 2026
In January 2026, TOEFL introduced a new grading scale. Test certificates issued in 2026 and 2027 will show overall scores in both the old grading scale (0-120) and the new grading scale (1-6). Component or band scores will only be shown in the new grading scale. Leiden University’s 2026-2027 overall score requirements will be based on the old grading scale . If you took your test on or after 21 January 2026, you must meet the overall score requirement shown on our website in the old grading scale (0-120), and the component score requirements shown on our website in the new grading scale (1-6). Leiden University’s 2027-2028 score requirements will be based on the new grading scale and the language test appendix to Code of Conduct October 2026

*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 degree at a Dutch research university or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.

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