Programs/Bachelor/Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts
Bachelor

International Studies

Leiden UniversityLeiden, NLEnglish
★ StudyPath verdict
7.8/10
Best for students passionate about global issues, international relations and cross-cultural policy who seek a broad multidisciplinary foundation. Trade-off: the programme's wide scope offers less depth in any single discipline compared to
Tuition · Intl
€14,300
EU: €2,694/year · click ↗
Duration
3 years
180 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by Jun 26
Language
English
IELTS 6.5+
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2020
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
600
DUO ↑35% ↗
Intl. %
?
no data yet
S:F ratio
25:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
6.5
IELTS required
Entry route
Any VWO
profile required ↗
Satisfaction
3.9/5
NSE 2026 ↗
Employment
?
no data yet
Median salary
?
no data yet
Alumni
?
no data yet
↗ Real values are sourced; tiles marked “?” aren’t collected yet · Enrolled/yr is live from DUO · Satisfaction/outcomes are live from StudiekeuzedatabaseLast sync: 25 Jun 2026
About this program
Are you fascinated by how globalisation affects world regions? Do you want to really understand other cultures from a wide range of perspectives, and apply this knowledge in your future career? The Bachelor’s in International Studies is a 3-year English-taught programme that offers you the opportunity to study the issues and effects of globalisation by focusing on one of eight world regions. Our multifaceted approach will allow you to interpret and analyse the world from a humanities perspective. In order to be able to do this, you will explore the historical and cultural background of the region of your choice, as well as its political and economic developments. Unique to any Humanities programme, this BA integrates real hands-on experience of working with organisations and businesses into its curriculum. Why International Studies at Leiden University? * Study in The Hague, the centre of international politics and policy-making in the Netherlands. * Analyse the world from various perspectives, focusing on culture, history, economics, language and politics. * Choose to specialise in one of eight world regions. * Acquire practical career skills by participating in the PRINS consultancy course. * Learn about other cultures and develop an intercultural outlook while studying with fellow students from the Netherlands and about 50 other countries.
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English180 ECTSBachelor of ArtsField area: InterdisciplinarySector: InterdisciplinairCode of Conduct (intl.)Full-timeBachelor
Teaching formats
Group assignmentGroup discussionIndividual assignmentLectureLiterature studyProjectSelf-studyWorking group
About Leiden University
Leiden University, founded in 1575, is the oldest university in the Netherlands and one of Europe's most prestigious. Known for excellence in law, humanities, and international studies. 16 Nobel Prize winners are affiliated, including Einstein who was a professor there. Has a second campus in The Hague.
Living in Leiden
Student cost of living
Rent · room
€520/mo
Monthly total
€900–€1,600
Cost of living
Medium
Population
126k

Intellectual, historic, and cultured. Leiden exudes academic tradition with its beautiful old buildings and prestigious university. The city is quieter than Amsterdam but offers rich cultural experiences, including world-class museums like the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden.

View city guide →
Specializations
Year 3 tracks
?No data yet
Curriculum
Course structure by year
?No curriculum data yet
Career outcomes
Graduate surveys · field-group level
Where bachelor graduates continue
Internationale betrekkingen22%
Crisis and Security Management14%
Public Administration10%
Azië Studies5%
Field-group estimates from national graduate surveys via Studiekeuzedatabase — not measured per programme
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Continue to year 274%
Complete this degree63%
Continue studying after graduating58%
Women among first-years62%
Say workload is “just right”54%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO · 2025) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
National Student Survey (NSE) — first-party reviews coming
3.9/5overall satisfaction · NSE 2026 · 314 respondents
Content & set-up3.9
Teachers3.7
Atmosphere4
Involvement & contact3.8
Study guidance3.7
Testing & assessment3.6
Facilities4.1
Career preparation3.2
Teachers' English4.4
Would choose again3.9
Source: Nationale Studenten Enquête via Studiekeuzedatabase (Studiekeuze123/LCSK)
Application timeline
Application deadline
2026-06-15
Non-EU deadline
2026-04-01
Upcoming open days
Open day
7 Nov 2026
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
  • IELTS overall band: 6.5
  • TOEFL internet based: 90
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: 180
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: 180
Scholarships
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)Varies; for excellent full-time master's students, with exclusions
Internships
?No data yet
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