Student Affairs Front Office
Frequently Asked Questions
I am not able to log in with my student account. What should I do?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to log in:
- You haven’t yet received a user name and/or password. Request an account.
- You have forgotten your user name and/or password. Request them again.
- Your account has not yet been activated. Activate your account.
- Your password has expired. Reset your password.
- Your ULCN account is no longer active. You can only access uSis and Brightspace using your ULCN account up to 60 days after your student registration has been cancelled.
If you know your user name and password, keep the following points in mind:
- You must log in with your user name, not your uMail address.
- Use lower case letters to enter your user name, not capital letters (e.g. s1234567).
- Make sure you haven’t accidentally put CAPS LOCK on.
If you still can’t log in, do the following:
- Change the language on the log-in page, from Dutch to English or vice versa, and try again.
- If you can log into one application but not another, the issue concerns the application and not your account. Contact the ISSC Helpdesk.
- If none of the above-mentioned tips work contact the ISSC helpdesk.
How do I request a Statement of registration (enrolment)?
- Log into uSis using your student number.
- Click on the 'Communication' tile.
- If you do not see the message you are looking for, click on the little x in top-right corner of your screen.
- Click on ‘Your registration is final’ to download your Statement of registration.
More information
Is there a template for my motivation letter?
No, there is no official template. Your motivation letter is a personal statement in which you explain why you wish to study at Leiden University and why you have chosen this particular study programme. It is an opportunity for you to convince the faculty of your qualities and goals. The letter should contain approximately 700-1500 words.
Note: if you are applying for a programme at Leiden University College (LUC) you should instead complete and submit an LUC motivation letter form.
How long does it take before a decision on my application is issued?
It generally takes about 4 to 6 weeks from the date on which you are informed that your application is complete until you receive a decision. If additional information is required during the application process it may take a little longer. Please make sure your application is complete and is submitted as early as possible.
Once a decision on your application has been made, you will receive a formal statement from the faculty by email.
More information
What are the Regulations on Financial Support for Students, also known as the graduation fund, and how do I qualify for support?
Can I change the start date of my studies or defer my admission?
If you have applied but not yet been admitted
Yes, you can change your requested start date as follows:
- Cancel your application in Studielink
- Reapply for your preferred start date in Studielink.
- You will then be instructed to create and submit a new application in Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis).
If you wish to defer the start of your studies, you must submit a new application for your preferred start date. Be aware that admission requirements can change. If this occurs, you are unfortunately not guaranteed admission for your new start date. The re-application procedure is not the same as the initial application procedure. Please follow the instructions below:
- Go to the confirm screen in the online application portal (uSis) and indicate that you would like to start later. Alternatively, inform the Admissions Office via their contact form (links below) that you would like to delay your studies
- The Admissions Office will let you know how to reapply for your new start date. In most cases you will be exempted from submitting new documents or paying another application fee – see exceptions below.
- If you wish to change your choice of study programme or specialisation, you must submit a complete new application and pay the application fee again.
- If you have been admitted to an LLM Advanced Studies programme, you may only request re-admission once free of charge. If you re-apply a second or subsequent time, you must pay the application fee again and submit an updated CV and copies of any recently obtained diplomas.
What are the application deadlines?
Application deadlines vary depending on your programme type, visa and housing requirements, and whether you are applying for a programme with an additional selection procedure or numerus fixus (limited number of places).
Always refer to the individual programme description for details of the exact application deadline!
Early application is advised for the following reasons:
- If you do not have a Dutch diploma that grants automatic admission, you must complete a two-part application procedure. You are required to complete both parts before the deadline!
- You may be asked to submit additional documents or take certain tests to gain admission.
- By applying late, you risk being too late to apply for a visa or housing.
General deadline information can be found via:
What is a BBC?
BBC stands for Bewijs Betaald Collegegeld (which means proof of tuition fee payment). If you are studying at another institution, in addition to Leiden University, you may be able to fulfil tuition fee obligations at one institution by showing proof (a BBC) that you have paid tuition fee at the second institution. This means you will only have to pay tuition fees once.
To be issued with a BBC, you must be studying full-time and paying the statutory tuition fee rate for the study programme in question. See the link below for information about statutory tuition fee. Always check in advance with the relevant Students Administration department whether you are eligible for a BBC. For Leiden study programmes, contact the Student Affairs Front Office.
A BBC can only be issued once you have taken the necessary steps to arrange tuition fee payment.
You can also use a BBC when arranging registration as a guest or minor student at another university.
More information
What happens to applications received after the deadline?
We encourage students to submit their applications as early as possible. If we receive your application after the relevant deadline you will be asked whether you wish to withdraw your application or defer your application until the next possible start date. Only in exceptional cases will late applications be considered. Decisions concerning the processing of late applications are made on a case by case basis in consultation with the faculty in question.
More information
I have created a new Studielink account, without DigiD, but am having log-in problems. What should I do?
No activation email received?
After creating your account, you will have to wait up to two hours to receive your activation mail. If you don’t receive it, try activating your account again.
Account activated but can’t log in?
Go to Studielink, select ‘log in without DigiD’ and click on ‘forgot your password’. Within two hours you will receive a mail with instruction on how to reset your password. Reset your password and try logging in again.
After logging in, website won't load?
Try the following suggestions:
- Log in from a desktop computer, rather than a mobile device, using Chrome or Firefox.
- Clear your browser cache, history and cookies, and make sure JavaScript is activated. Your browser has a help function that will explain how.
- If you manually adjusted the time and date setting on your device, try resetting them to automatic. Secure log-in sometimes does not work without automatic time and date settings.
Studielink only allows one account per student. If you have created a second account by mistake, your application will not reach us and you will not receive your Leiden University log in details (which all applicants should receive within 24 hours). You must therefore ask us to merge and reactive your account, by contacting the Student Affairs Front Office - see below.
Contact the Student Affairs Front Office
If you have tried the suggestions above and are still experiencing problems, contact the Student Affairs Front Office. If relevant, upload screenshots of any error messages you are receiving.
Contact form
Frequently Asked Questions
I am not able to log in with my student account. What should I do?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to log in:
- You haven’t yet received a user name and/or password. Request an account.
- You have forgotten your user name and/or password. Request them again.
- Your account has not yet been activated. Activate your account.
- Your password has expired. Reset your password.
- Your ULCN account is no longer active. You can only access uSis and Brightspace using your ULCN account up to 60 days after your student registration has been cancelled.
If you know your user name and password, keep the following points in mind:
- You must log in with your user name, not your uMail address.
- Use lower case letters to enter your user name, not capital letters (e.g. s1234567).
- Make sure you haven’t accidentally put CAPS LOCK on.
If you still can’t log in, do the following:
- Change the language on the log-in page, from Dutch to English or vice versa, and try again.
- If you can log into one application but not another, the issue concerns the application and not your account. Contact the ISSC Helpdesk.
- If none of the above-mentioned tips work contact the ISSC helpdesk.
How do I request a Statement of registration (enrolment)?
- Log into uSis using your student number.
- Click on the 'Communication' tile.
- If you do not see the message you are looking for, click on the little x in top-right corner of your screen.
- Click on ‘Your registration is final’ to download your Statement of registration.
More information
Is there a template for my motivation letter?
No, there is no official template. Your motivation letter is a personal statement in which you explain why you wish to study at Leiden University and why you have chosen this particular study programme. It is an opportunity for you to convince the faculty of your qualities and goals. The letter should contain approximately 700-1500 words.
Note: if you are applying for a programme at Leiden University College (LUC) you should instead complete and submit an LUC motivation letter form.
How long does it take before a decision on my application is issued?
It generally takes about 4 to 6 weeks from the date on which you are informed that your application is complete until you receive a decision. If additional information is required during the application process it may take a little longer. Please make sure your application is complete and is submitted as early as possible.
Once a decision on your application has been made, you will receive a formal statement from the faculty by email.
More information
What are the Regulations on Financial Support for Students, also known as the graduation fund, and how do I qualify for support?
Can I change the start date of my studies or defer my admission?
If you have applied but not yet been admitted
Yes, you can change your requested start date as follows:
- Cancel your application in Studielink
- Reapply for your preferred start date in Studielink.
- You will then be instructed to create and submit a new application in Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis).
If you wish to defer the start of your studies, you must submit a new application for your preferred start date. Be aware that admission requirements can change. If this occurs, you are unfortunately not guaranteed admission for your new start date. The re-application procedure is not the same as the initial application procedure. Please follow the instructions below:
- Go to the confirm screen in the online application portal (uSis) and indicate that you would like to start later. Alternatively, inform the Admissions Office via their contact form (links below) that you would like to delay your studies
- The Admissions Office will let you know how to reapply for your new start date. In most cases you will be exempted from submitting new documents or paying another application fee – see exceptions below.
- If you wish to change your choice of study programme or specialisation, you must submit a complete new application and pay the application fee again.
- If you have been admitted to an LLM Advanced Studies programme, you may only request re-admission once free of charge. If you re-apply a second or subsequent time, you must pay the application fee again and submit an updated CV and copies of any recently obtained diplomas.
What are the application deadlines?
Application deadlines vary depending on your programme type, visa and housing requirements, and whether you are applying for a programme with an additional selection procedure or numerus fixus (limited number of places).
Always refer to the individual programme description for details of the exact application deadline!
Early application is advised for the following reasons:
- If you do not have a Dutch diploma that grants automatic admission, you must complete a two-part application procedure. You are required to complete both parts before the deadline!
- You may be asked to submit additional documents or take certain tests to gain admission.
- By applying late, you risk being too late to apply for a visa or housing.
General deadline information can be found via:
What is a BBC?
BBC stands for Bewijs Betaald Collegegeld (which means proof of tuition fee payment). If you are studying at another institution, in addition to Leiden University, you may be able to fulfil tuition fee obligations at one institution by showing proof (a BBC) that you have paid tuition fee at the second institution. This means you will only have to pay tuition fees once.
To be issued with a BBC, you must be studying full-time and paying the statutory tuition fee rate for the study programme in question. See the link below for information about statutory tuition fee. Always check in advance with the relevant Students Administration department whether you are eligible for a BBC. For Leiden study programmes, contact the Student Affairs Front Office.
A BBC can only be issued once you have taken the necessary steps to arrange tuition fee payment.
You can also use a BBC when arranging registration as a guest or minor student at another university.
More information
What happens to applications received after the deadline?
We encourage students to submit their applications as early as possible. If we receive your application after the relevant deadline you will be asked whether you wish to withdraw your application or defer your application until the next possible start date. Only in exceptional cases will late applications be considered. Decisions concerning the processing of late applications are made on a case by case basis in consultation with the faculty in question.
More information
I have created a new Studielink account, without DigiD, but am having log-in problems. What should I do?
No activation email received?
After creating your account, you will have to wait up to two hours to receive your activation mail. If you don’t receive it, try activating your account again.
Account activated but can’t log in?
Go to Studielink, select ‘log in without DigiD’ and click on ‘forgot your password’. Within two hours you will receive a mail with instruction on how to reset your password. Reset your password and try logging in again.
After logging in, website won't load?
Try the following suggestions:
- Log in from a desktop computer, rather than a mobile device, using Chrome or Firefox.
- Clear your browser cache, history and cookies, and make sure JavaScript is activated. Your browser has a help function that will explain how.
- If you manually adjusted the time and date setting on your device, try resetting them to automatic. Secure log-in sometimes does not work without automatic time and date settings.
Studielink only allows one account per student. If you have created a second account by mistake, your application will not reach us and you will not receive your Leiden University log in details (which all applicants should receive within 24 hours). You must therefore ask us to merge and reactive your account, by contacting the Student Affairs Front Office - see below.
Contact the Student Affairs Front Office
If you have tried the suggestions above and are still experiencing problems, contact the Student Affairs Front Office. If relevant, upload screenshots of any error messages you are receiving.