★ StudyPath verdict
7.5/10
Best for students interested in global security, policy analysis and international affairs; offers strong interdisciplinary curriculum in The Hague but faces competitive entry and narrower specialisation tracks.
Tuition · Intl
↗€14,300
EU: €2,694/year · click ↗
Duration
3 years
180 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by May 26
Language
English
IELTS 6.0+
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2024
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
↗262
DUO ↑43% ↗
Intl. %
↗40%
of students ↗
S:F ratio
↗25:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
6.0
IELTS required
Entry route
↗Any VWO
profile required ↗
Satisfaction
↗4.0/5
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: 28 Jun 2026
About this program
In the Bachelor Security Studies, you learn to understand and address contemporary security challenges. From terrorism and cybercrime to natural disasters, you explore the political, historical, and social contexts, and examine the role of governance, institutions, and media. You develop a critical, analytical mindset, learn to navigate complex situations, and gain insight into crisis management: making swift, effective decisions in unforeseen events. You study cases such as the Fukushima nuclear disaster (2011) and the SARS epidemic. The programme prepares you for a career in government, international organisations, NGOs, or the private sector, where you can contribute to real-world security solutions. You study in The Hague, the international city of peace, justice, and security, at Leiden University, one of Europe’s leading universities.
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English180 ECTSBachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of ScienceField area: InterdisciplinarySector: InterdisciplinairCode of Conduct (intl.)Full-timeBachelor
Teaching formats
Case studyGroup assignmentGroup discussionIndividual assignmentInternshipLectureLiterature studyOral presentation
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
Crisis and Security Management92%
Criminologie3%
Possible professions
•Security policy officer at a government organisation•Security Consultant or advisor for public and private organisations•Risk manager at a public or private organisation•Strategic advisor for security strategies at a public or private organisation
Field-group estimates from national graduate surveys via Studiekeuzedatabase — not measured per programme
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Continue to year 285%
Complete this degree67%
Continue studying after graduating81%
Women among first-years38%
International students40%
Say workload is “just right”62%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO · 2025) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
National Student Survey (NSE) — first-party reviews coming
4/5overall satisfaction · NSE 2026 · 182 respondents
Content & set-up3.8
Teachers3.8
Atmosphere3.9
Involvement & contact3.8
Study guidance3.8
Testing & assessment3.5
Facilities4.1
Career preparation3.5
Teachers' English4.3
Would choose again4.1
Source: Nationale Studenten Enquête via Studiekeuzedatabase (Studiekeuze123/LCSK)
Application timeline
Application deadline
2026-05-01
Non-EU deadline
2026-04-01
Upcoming open days
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
- TOEFL internet based: 80
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: 169
- IELTS overall band: 6.0
Scholarships
Leiden University scholarships databaseVaries by scholarship
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)Varies; for excellent full-time master's students, with exclusions
Internships
?No data yet
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