Students with a Bachelor in Psychology from Leiden University are eligible for admission if they have competed the appropriate specialisation course.

Students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent degree) in Psychology and possess the knowledge, skills, and understanding equal to that of holders of the degree specified above may be eligible for admission if they:

Criterion 1

• have acquired the knowledge on a university level in the following topics:
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Social and Organisational Psychology
  • Personality Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuropsychology and/or Psychophysiology and/or Biopsychology
  • Clinical and Abnormal psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Theory or training in Interpersonal Skills, such as interview, counselling, discussion techniques
  • Theory or training in Psychodiagnostics;

Criterion 2*

• have at least 20 ECTS at a university level in statistics and research methods-related coursework, specifically:
  • Knowledge of statistics, covering at least five (5) of the statistical topics listed below:
    1. Basic descriptive statistics and graphs; basic statistical techniques for numerical and categorical variables (e.g. t-tests and chi-square tests)
    2. Non-parametric statistical techniques
    3. Correlation and multiple and linear regression
    4. ANOVA (one-way and two-way designs) and ANCOVA
    5. Repeated measures ANOVA and MANOVA
    6. Logistic regression
    7. Mediation analysis
    8. Psychometric knowledge and techniques (e.g. reliability, validity, and item analysis of psychological tests)
  • Skills in the use of statistical software
  • Knowledge of research methods, including theoretical concepts in research methodology, research ethics, and practical training in research skills;

*Please note: if you are applying for intake February 2027, the following criterion applies instead:

• have sufficient knowledge of Methodology and Statistics (at least 20 EC): introductory and more advanced courses in methods and statistics of psychological research (including psychometrics, multivariate data analysis) and,
• skills in the use of statistical software.

Criterion 3

• have at least 30 ECTS in advanced courses on topics pertaining to the preferred master specialisation within the MSc Psychology.

The Board of Admissions will assess whether your degree and background are sufficiently related to the level and content of a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Leiden University on the basis of the requirements specified above.

Selection requirement 1 is a good academic record as indicator for academic excellence. Applicants are required to demonstrate the results earned in the bachelor on components in:

1.a General psychology (each at least 4 EC) on the following topics:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Social and/or Organisational Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuropsychology and/or Psychophysiology and/or Biopsychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

1.b The clinical domain (at least 3 components, each at least 4 EC) on the following topics:

• Psychodiagnostics
• Interpersonal skills, such as interview, counselling
• Psychopathology and/or Psychological treatment

1.c Knowledge and skills in methodology and statistics (each at least 4 EC, total at least 20 EC on basic and advanced level), including the following topics:

• Psychometrics
• Multivariate Data Analysis
• Statistical Software such as SPSS or R

Applicants must use the 'Application Form' (see Required documents) to show their achievements in these three components (1.a, 1.b and 1.c).

Selection requirement 2 is a motivational statement pertaining to the chosen master specialisation.

Applicants must use the 'Motivation Letter Form' (see Required documents) to describe their motivation.

The following requirements apply:

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.

For other accepted exams, including score equivalency tables and criteria for the accepted exams, refer to our English language proficiency requirements.

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, if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught degree at a Dutch research university or an English-taught bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university of applied sciences.