Michiel Hogerheijde has been appointed Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Science as of 1 January 2027. He succeeds Bart de Smit, who has held the position since 2019. Hogerheijde is looking forward to working together with students and staff. ‘Good education is something you create together.’

Research

Personal development, Study support

Course

Last Tuesday was a special day: three researchers defended their PhD dissertations in succession as part of the same project. Martin Luther Darko, Kauthar Khamis and Rashida Adum-Atta investigated how people of different religions coexist in Madina in Ghana.

In the ‘Leiden Declaration’, an international group of researchers warns that AI is putting fundamental values of the discipline under threat. The rise of AI is forcing mathematics to rethink what makes their field reliable and valuable. This is their proposed way forward.

Historical geographer Marcel IJsselstijn developed a new approach that improves our understanding of how medieval cities were planned. He hopes it will help archaeologists, urban planners and designers address contemporary challenges.

Are you studying whilst pregnant or combining your studies with taking care of children? You may sometimes need a little extra help and advice. Find out about the support available and who you can turn to.

Personal development, Working effectively

Astronomers have measured the mass of a dormant, supermassive black hole in the early universe for the first time. Thanks to a combination of the James Webb Space Telescope and a natural cosmic magnifying glass, researchers were able to weigh the black hole directly based on its gravity.

How can we combat the growing global health crisis of antibiotic resistance? At Leiden University, researchers are tackling this issue from multiple angles. PhD candidate Vladyslav Lysenko develops and redesigns new antibiotic molecules, while Sebastian Tandar studies how we can use existing antibiotics…

Student Support Groups offer a safe, confidential space for learning, sharing, and connecting with others. Join one of our groups and engage in guided conversations based on your experiences, alongside fellow students and a student-guide. Sessions take place once a week, for a period of six consecutive…

The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially adopted ARRAKIHS as a scientific mission, confirming the target launch date of 2030. Matthieu Schaller is part of the Science Team: ‘I look forward to learning more about the dark part of our cosmos.’

From toy cats that purr to robot dogs that bark: what do such technologies mean for older people, healthcare providers and family members? A Dutch Research Council (NWO) Veni grant is enabling anthropologist Tanja Ahlin to investigate how animal-shaped robots can contribute to care for older people…

Astronomers have discovered an enormous supply of cold molecular gas in a galaxy shortly after the Big Bang. The finding offers a rare glimpse of the raw material from which the first large galaxies were built. Measurements suggest that around 95 per cent of the normal matter in the galaxy studied,…

To arrange upon your return

Met Microsoft Teams kun je op afstand samenwerken met je medestudenten.

During your student days there might be times when you could use a little extra support or interaction. Talking to other students can help, whether it’s about study-related matters or more personal topics. The university offers peer support in the form of support groups and buddy programmes.

Are you looking for someone to study with, or would you like to come into contact with other students for support or social activities? Sign up for one of the student buddy programmes.

The former Valkenburg airfield is steeped in history: the Romans defended their empire here, German forces landed here in 1940 and even the Cold War left its mark. Now thousands of homes are planned for the site. Students from Leiden and Delft are exploring how to make this past visible.

To arrange upon your return

To arrange upon your return

Safe use of IT

You’ve graduated. What’s your next step? Leiden University offers many options for students who have just finished their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

Want to build a strong set of skills for your future? As a Science student, you have free access to plenty of support and resources.

There are countless ways to meet new people, at your own study programme and faculty, or elsewhere within the university.

If you suspect that malpractice is taking place within your study programme, you are entitled to report it.

Acting as a carer takes a lot of time and energy. If this causes you to fall behind in your studies or experience other difficulties, you can request support from the university.

Feeling stressed, dealing with practical or personal challenges, or just want to check in on your well-being? There are several ways to take care of yourself within the Faculty of Science.

All students in the Netherlands are invited to take part in the National Student Survey (NSE) once a year. Via the NSE you can give your opinion on the positive aspects of your study programme, as well as what you think could or should be improved.

You are a part of our academic community. Here at Leiden University, we pride ourselves on our motto Praesidium Libertatis – bastion of freedom – and cherish the tradition of academic freedom.

As well as student associations, you can also join one of the independent non-profit student organisations that are active in Leiden and The Hague. Become a member and develop your skills while making new friends and contributing to social causes.

As a student, you can access a range of other software free of charge or for a reduced tariff. These include office tools, cloud storage, anti-virus software and much more.