Mathematics (MSc)

Admission requirements

To be eligible for Mathematics at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

Diploma requirements

You are eligible to apply if you have

A BSc degree in Mathematics (Wiskunde) from any research university in the Netherlands.
OR
A bachelor’s degree in a Mathematics-related programme from a research university in the Netherlands, under the condition that you have accumulated the mathematical background at least equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.

The Board of Admissions will assess whether your degree and background are sufficiently related to the BSc degree in Mathematics.

For more information, please contact the Admission Board.

If you have a degree in Dutch higher vocational education (hbo) in a Mathematics-related field of science, you are eligible to apply under the condition that you have accumulated the mathematical background at least equivalent to a university bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.

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 Mathematics.

For more information, please contact the Admission Board.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics or in a Mathematics-related programme from a foreign research university with a level similar to Dutch universities, you are eligible to apply under the condition that you have accumulated the mathematical background at least equivalent to a Dutch bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.

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 Mathematics.

For more information, please contact the Admission Board.

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 of this master's programme is 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