Studying and top-level sport
Combining studying with top-level sport requires dedication and careful academic planning. If you want to take on the challenge, Leiden University can offer you personal guidance and help you to maximise your talent.
If you encounter difficulties or fall behind in your studies due to sporting commitments, contact the student counsellor for top-level sport - see contact details on this page. The counsellor is aware of all the options available and will be able to offer you personal guidance and advice.
Planning
At the beginning of each academic year, you and your study adviser should sit down together to look at your upcoming academic and sporting obligations and draw up a clear plan.
Dutch national sports status (NOC*NSF)?
Do you have top-sport status from the Dutch national sports organisation (NOC*NSF) or are you competing at a comparable international level? If so, Leiden University will do all it can to offer support. You may, for example, be eligible for:
- Additional facilities such as:
- extended deadlines for the submission of assignments
- (partial) exemptions from compulsory attendance requirements
- additional re-takes
- alternative educational assignments
- flexibility in terms of binding study advice
- Financial support if you fall behind in your studies due to top-level sports activities. See the Regulations of Financial Support for Students.
Note that if you do not have the above-mentioned NOC*NSF status, the decision to award extra facilities and support is always at the discretion of the student counsellor for top-level sport. For example, if you are an international student, a top-level coach or referee, or your sport is relatively new and not yet affiliated with the NOC*NSF.