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.

Applicants who meet the admission requirements, will need to take part in the selection process for their chosen master specialisation. For more information about the selection procedure, please see ‘Maximum capacity’.

Note: only applicants who meet the admission requirements will participate in the selection process, these are two separate and consecutive steps in the whole admission process.
 

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.