What and why?
Characteristics of exchange programmes
- You will apply via Leiden University and must meet certain eligibility criteria.
- There are limited spaces available, so you are not guaranteed a place on an exchange programme. Leiden University selects students on the basis of their grades and motivation.
- You will remain registered as a student of Leiden University and won’t need to pay additional tuition fees to your host university.
- If you get advance permission from your Board of Examiners, the credits you earn can be counted towards your study programme at Leiden University.
Two types of exchange
There are two types of exchange programme:
- University-wide
- Via a faculty or study programme
Characteristics of university-wide exchange
- As a rule, for students of all disciplines. Conditions may apply.
- Also open to master students, though restrictions generally apply at both Leiden University and partner universities.
- At your host university, you can generally follow courses offered by any programme or faculty.
- All destinations are outside Europe.
- The programme is organised by the international exchange coordinator for university-wide exchange, whom you can contact with any questions.
Characteristics of exchange via a faculty or study programme
- Only for students from specific study programmes or faculties.
- You may only follow courses offered by specific study programmes or faculties at your host university.
- Destinations are both within Europe (Erasmus+) and outside Europe.
- The programme is organised by the international exchange coordinator at your faculty or programme, whom you can contact with any questions.
For the difference between the University-wide and Faculty of Science exchange programmes please read more under the general tab.
If there is specific information related to the faculty of Science besides the general information, then you will find this under the Science tab on each page (Where?, When?, etcetera).
Find our latest announcements on Brightspace, under the Faculty of Science (FWN) course. Did you miss us at the International Experience Week? Find our presentation here. (Please note that at the time of publishing there is unclarity around the uni-wide program. For most up-to-date information regarding the uni-wide program, visit the website (General tabs). Information on the faculty-wide program is under the Science tabs.)
There are many ways to go abroad
Here are the options you have:
- Exchange programs via agreements with partners universities, with this option you will follow courses abroad;
- Internships, fieldwork, research project or summer schools abroad; and
- Free mover - study abroad independently.
Need inspiration?
Check out where others have gone before you in the student report database
Opportunities for Astronomy students
As an Astronomy master's student, you have several opportunities for going abroad. You can either do this by doing (part of) your Master's Research Project abroad as part of your Astronomy master's curriculum, or you can join a Summer or Winter School abroad as an extracurricular activity.
When studying abroad, you will:
- Experience another culture
- Further develop your personal skills (perseverance, independence and intercultural communication)
- Experience a different university and education system
- Improve your language skills
- Extend your international (academic) network
- Make a valuable addition to your resume
Conditions
Studying abroad for a semester can be a valuable experience, but shouldn't be taken too lightly and requires you to meet specific conditions for the Astronomy master's programme. Make sure that you are aware of those before taking any further steps.
Questions
If you have any questions about studying abroad during your Astronomy bachelor´s, always contact the Astronomy study advisor.
Experiences
