A new LUMC study has changed our understanding of how cells work. Researchers have discovered that the CFAP20 protein acts as a kind of ‘traffic controller’ on DNA. Without this protein, chaos ensues, potentially causing cancer. Their findings have been published in the prestigious journal Nature.

In your first year at LUC you gain the basic knowledge and lay the foundation and skills for your specialization in year two and three.

Three Leiden astronomers have shown that some asteroids that are considered harmless for now, can collide with Earth in the future. They did their research with the help of an artificial neural network. The results have been accepted for publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

The student weekly diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2022.

The student weekly diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2023.

What would a university be without its students? In 2025, we will celebrate 450 years of studying with an exhibition showcasing our students from the past centuries. How did they study in the past? And how do they study now? This outdoor exhibition will be on display from 23 April at the Hortus bota…

The student weekly diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2019.

The student weekly diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2020.

The student bi-weekly online diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2021.

The student weekly diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2024.

The student weekly diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2017

The student weekly diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2018

The student weekly diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2025.

The student weekly diary of Archaeology/Egyptology students, 2026.

If spending three years at university and following the entire Dutch Studies programme is not an option for you, we offer an alternative. We have created a challenging one-year programme in which you will learn to speak Dutch and delve into Dutch culture. This programme is less comprehensive, and allows…

The opening of the Academic Year 2025-2026 took place on Monday 1 September 2025 in the Pieterskerk church.

Most employed and contract PhD candidates at the Faculty of Archaeology follow a 4-year PhD track in a full-time position.

In this part of the LUC Newsletter Archive you can find the newsletters of block 3 and 4 of academic year 2019 - 2020.

Academic ceremony

Visitors to Leiden's City Hall and the University Library can visit the 444 Years of Leiden University exhibition from 25 January.

A marvelous mosaic synagogue floor has been discovered at the Israeli excavation site of Horvat Kur. The timeworn stones of the mosaic clearly form the name ‘El’azar’. Leiden University researcher Jürgen Zangenberg and a group of Leiden students played a role in the excavation. ‘El’azar was likely an…

For decades, this prize has highlighted rising scientific talent — young researchers who often go on to make their mark in the field. Here you can explore how the award began and discover the many promising scientists who received it over the years.

This summer, everyone from Leiden locals to day trippers and tourists can take a guided tour of the prettiest University buildings in the centre of Leiden. Our exclusive Summer Tours offer a glimpse behind the scenes at the Academy Building, the P.J. Veth building and Bibliotheca Thysiana: buildings…

In 2019 Leiden University was 444 years old. This special birthday called for a special celebration. We celebrated this milestone with the residents of Leiden and The Hague. In, with and for these two cities.

Leiden University College (LUC), an institute of Leiden University in The Hague – the international city of peace, justice, and security – offers the English-taught Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges since 2010. Inspired by the American university college model, LUC combines…

Leiden University College (LUC), an institute of Leiden University in The Hague – the international city of peace, justice, and security – offers the English-taught Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges since 2010. Inspired by the American university college model, LUC combines…

Ahead of the times? We’ve been that for over 450 years.

These awards honour researchers who turn scientific insight into real-world impact. From master’s students to postdocs, they highlight exceptional work in life sciences, health sciences, biotech, or environmental health sciences with data science at the core. Meet the 2025 winners.

Research of the Leiden Institute of Chemistry into the development of a sustainable fuel cell has accidentally resulted in an exceptionally efficient catalyst for the production of hydrogen peroxide. The catalyst, discovered by Dennis Hetterscheid and PhD candidate Michiel Langerman, may lead to a more…

Leiden scientists have discovered a new plant genus with two new species at a potential nickel mine site in Indonesia. Remarkable characteristic of the plants: they store manganese in their leaves.

The combination of data science and sports is a hot topic. In a talk during the opening of the Academic Year at the Faculty of Science, Professor Joost Kok explained what data analytics can teach us about sports.

How many men and women die per year at the hands of others? What are the motives behind these killings? Are there as many homicides today as years ago? How can we explain the rise and fall of homicides over time? And: What is the influence of (early) childhood and adolescence on the likelihood to commit…

The opening of the Academic Year 2019-2020 took place on Monday 2 September 2019 in Pieterskerk church.

De opening of the Academic Year 2021-2022 took place on Monday 6 September 2021 in Pieterskerk church.

The opening of the Academic Year 2024-2025 took place on Monday 2 September 2024 in the Pieterskerk church.

The opening of the Academic Year 2017-2018 took place on Monday 4 September 2017 in Pieterskerk church.

De opening of the Academic Year 2023-2024 took place on Monday 4 September 2023 in Pieterskerk church.

De opening of the Academic Year 2022-2023 took place on Monday 5 September 2022 in Pieterskerk church.

The opening of the Academic Year 2018-2019 took place on Monday 3 September 2018 in Pieterskerk church.

Leiden University opened its doors in 1575 – the very first university in the Netherlands. The law faculty was involved from the start and so in 2025 they, too, were celebrating their 450th anniversary.

This volume contributes to the scholarly debate regarding the reception of Cicero and focuses on one particular moment in Cicero’s life: the period from Caesar's death (March 44 BCE) up to Cicero’s own death (December 43 BCE).

The opening of the Academic Year 2020-2021 took place on Monday 31 August 2020 in Pieterskerk church.

The opening of the Academic Year 2016-2017 took place on Monday 5 September 2016 in Pieterskerk church.