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

• Application & admission

Are you a future bachelor’s student? Instead, see the FAQ for bachelor’s students who cannot submit their academic records in time.  

The standard deadline for receiving all the required documents for your visa/residence permit request is:

• 1 June: programmes starting in September
• 1 December: programmes starting in February 

Academic records expected later?  
Will the academic records requested in your admission statement (e.g. your final transcript or diploma) be issued after the standard deadline? Follow the instructions below:

If you need a visa AND residence permit:
1. Before the standard visa/residence permit deadline:

• Submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.  
• In the uSis visa portal, also upload a personal statement explaining which academic records are late, why, and when you can provide them.

2. Before 6 July (September start)/ 6 December (February start):
Make sure Leiden University receives the following items sent directly by your institution – see permitted submission methods below:  

• A certified copy of your most recent transcript, and
• A statement confirming your predicated grades and expected graduation date (which must be before the start date of your studies).
  
  Permitted submission methods:
  
• By post to Leiden University Admissions Office postal address in a sealed institution envelope; or
• By email to masteradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl. The email must:
  • be sent from an official email address that is currently in use by your institution;
  • be sent by a staff member who is authorised to issue academic records - their name and position must be clearly stated;
  • state your full name and uSis application number.
    Note: if we are not able to verify the authenticity of the email address or sender (via the institution website or direct contact), we cannot accept documents sent by email.
• Chinese academic records only: upload verification reports of your ‘transcript to date' and ‘student record report’ in Chinese and English in the uSis application portal under ‘other documents’.
  

3. We will request your visa/residence permit on the basis of the above-mentioned documents. However, we must also receive the requested final academic records before the start date of your studies, otherwise your visa/residence permit application will be cancelled - without refund of the fee.

If you need a residence permit only:

1. Before the standard visa/residence permit deadline: submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
   
2. By 1 August (September starts) or 15 January (February start): make sure Leiden University receives the missing academic records.
   
3. If your academic records will only be available after 1 August/15 January, send a mail to masteradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl to request instructions. 

Take action in time!
We urgently request that you take the above-mentioned steps in time. If we do not receive the required documents and information on time, we will not be able to process your visa/residence permit request. This will result in you being unable to join your study programme. 

Because of their popularity, some bachelor’s programmes are oversubscribed. For these programmes, a limit has been set for the number of students that can be allocated a place. This is known as a 'numerus fixus'. This means that even if you are admitted to the programme, you are not guaranteed a place. You must also be allocated a place on the programme via a selection procedure.

• You can find an overview of all numerus fixus study programmes here. 

Take careful note of the application deadlines for numerus fixus programmes as these are generally earlier than those for other types of study programme. 

For further explanation see Admission requirements - Programmes with limited places.

More information

• Student Affairs Front Office

When applying 
When you apply for admission to a degree programme, you only need to upload digital copies of your academic records in the online application portal (uSis). Certified copies are not yet required.

Upon admission
Upon admission you will be notified of the following via uSis:  

• Which additional (certified or digital) academic records you must submit.
• The stipulated method of submission.
• The deadline for submission.

Steps to take:

1. Download your official decision statement (via uSis) and read it carefully. Take note of your admission conditions and the deadlines for meeting them. 
2. On the uSis 'decision' screen: upload digital copies of all items stated in your conditions using the ‘Upload your documents’ button.
3. Check if there are additional submission instructions stated on your decision statement. These might be e.g. submitting certified copies by post or arranging online verification. Follow the instructions carefully! For documents by post, check who must issue them and how they must be sent. 

Via specified method only

• Only submit items via the method(s) specified in your decision statement. Items submitted via other methods cannot be accepted.
• There is no need to send items via multiple methods unless this is requested. For example, if you are instructed to arrange online verification only, you do not need to also send items by post.  

Specified method not possible?
Refer to the FAQ on After admission, what should I do if I am unable to submit certified copies via the specified method?

Questions?
If you are still unsure when and how to submit your academic records after admission, send a mail to the bachelor admission team: bacheloradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl, or master admission team: masteradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl.

Also see the following FAQs

• I’ve been instructed to send certified copies of my academic records by post in a sealed institution envelope. What exactly must I do?
• I’ve been instructed to arrange online verification of my academic records. What exactly must I do?
  

Are you a future master’s student? Instead, see the FAQ for master’s students who cannot submit their academic records in time.

The standard deadline for receiving all the required documents for your visa/residence permit request is 1 June.

Academic records expected later?  
Will the academic records requested in your admission statement (e.g. your final diploma) only be available after 1 June? Follow the instructions below. 

Expected no later than 6 July?

1. Before 1 June: Submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
2. Before 1 June: In the uSis visa portal, also upload a personal statement explaining which academic records are late, why, and when you can provide them.
   
3. By 6 July: make sure we receive the missing academic records*.
   *IB students: we will verify your results after they are released on (or shortly after) 6 July. This will be in time to meet this deadline. 

Expected after 6 July?
If you need a visa AND residence permit:
Before 1 June: 

1. Submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
2. Send an email to: bacheloradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl to request instructions concerning your academic records.

If you need a residence permit only

1. Before 1 June: submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
2. Before 1 August: make sure we receive the missing academic records.
3. If your academic records will only be available after 1 August*, send an email to bacheloradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl to request instructions.
   *Exception: UK A-level results can be submitted later in August, as soon as they are released.  

Take action in time!
We urgently request that you take the above-mentioned steps in time. If we do not receive the required documents and information on time, we will not be able to process your visa/residence permit request. This will result in you being unable to join your study programme.  

As soon as your student registration has been finalised, you will receive a confirmation from us by e-mail. You can then download your Statement of registration via uSis by following the steps below:

1. Log into uSis using your student number. 
2. Click on the 'Communication' tile.
3. If you do not see the message you are looking for, click on the little x in top-right corner of your screen.
4. Click on ‘Your registration is final’ to download your Statement of registration.

If you need a statement of registration with an official stamp, please contact the Student Affairs Front Office at (+31) 071 527 8011 or info@leidenuniv.nl, or visit our office in Leiden or The Hague. Do not forget to mention your student number and the institution that requires the document.

More information

• Student Affairs Front Office

The standard deadline for receiving all the required items for your visa/residence permit application is:

• 1 June: programmes starting in September
• 1 December: programmes starting in February

Items expected later?  
Will one or more of the required items, for example your scholarship letter or new passport, be issued after the standard deadline? If so, take the steps below:

1. Before the standard visa/residence permit deadline:

• Submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
• In the uSis visa portal, upload a personal statement explaining which items are late, why, and when you can provide them.

2. By 6 July (September start) or 6 December (February start):

• Submit the missing item(s). 

Scholarship not granted?
Found out after the visa/residence permit deadline that your scholarship request has not been granted? You can either: 

• Submit alternative proof of sufficient funds before 6 July / 6 December - see the visa/residence permit instructions for details, or
• Cancel your degree application in Studielink, then request a refund of the visa/residence permit fee. 

Academic records even later?
Will your academic records (e.g. final diploma) only be issued after 6 July / 6 December? See the following FAQs for instructions:

• I am a future master’s student and cannot submit the requested academic records before the visa / residence permit deadline. 
• I am a future bachelor’s student and cannot submit the requested academic records in time for the visa / residence permit deadline. 

Take action in time!
We urgently request that you take the above-mentioned steps in time. If we do not receive the required documents and information on time, we will not be able to process your visa/residence permit request. This will result in you being unable to join your study programme. 

When we apply for your visa and/or residence permit, we will ask you to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for both your living expenses and tuition fee by uploading the following in the visa/residence permit portal (uSis):   

Sufficient funds for living expenses

• Transfer sufficient funds for living expenses to Leiden University then upload proof of the transfer, OR
• A bank statement in your name showing sufficient funds, OR
• A scholarship letter.

Sufficient funds for tuition fee

• If you will pay your own tuition fee: a bank statement in your name showing sufficient funds.
  
• If a scholarship provider will pay your tuition fee: a scholarship letter.
• If a third party will pay your tuition fee:
  
  • A written statement issued by your sponsor, confirming they will pay your tuition fee, preferably using this template.
    
  • A bank statement in the sponsor’s name that meets all the criteria listed in the Visa and residence permit instructions manual. 
    
    

Strict criteria for bank statements and scholarship letter
The Dutch immigration department sets very strict criteria for bank statements and scholarship letter. If your statement or letter does not meet all criteria, we will ask you to submit a new one or transfer the funds instead. This will significantly delay your request

For full details of financial requirements for visa/residence permit applications, read the Visa and residence permit instructions manual

On your admission statement, you can find instructions on how to submit certified copies of your academic records. Are you unable to submit certified copies in the manner stated? Take a look at the alternative options below. 

If your diploma can be verified online but we have not offered you this option

• On the decision screen, upload a copy of your diploma AND a document explaining the online verification method.
  
• The Admissions Office will assess whether online verification is possible or if hardcopies are still required.

If your school/university cannot submit documents via the specified method

• Ask your school/university to send your academic records as pdf attachment by email to bacheloradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl or masteradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl.
  
• The email must be sent by an authorised staff member from an official university email address, clearly stating the name and position of the staff member.
  
• Upon receipt, the Admissions Office will decide if the documents meet the verification requirements or whether further items are required.

If you cannot request documents via your school/university
Are you unable to request documents via your school/university, for example because you graduated too long ago?

• Instead, have your documents legalised or affixed with an Apostille stamp in the country where the qualification was obtained. Consult this Dutch Government website for further information.
  
• The legalisation or Apostille stamp must be original – not a copy. We also cannot accept documents legalised by other authorities, such as notaries, translators or municipal offices.
  
• Send the original legalised/apostilled documents to the Admissions Office by post. See postal address.
  
• Also upload a copy of these items on the decision screen.

If you have a Dutch diploma but it is not in the DUO diploma register (Mijn Diploma’s)

• Ask your Dutch school/university to send certified copies bearing an official stamp and signature in a sealed institution envelope to the Admissions Office by post. See postal address.
  
• Also upload a copy of these items on the decision screen.

Two weeks after the housing application deadline, you will receive an email letting you know whether:

• you applied in time and will soon be given access to the housing reservation portal, OR
• too many students applied before you, so you can choose to request a refund of the housing fee, or be put on a waiting list in case any other students withdraw.
  

Please patiently await this email as we are unable to provide details before this date.  

For students who applied in time, Leiden University will soon after begin sending emails with log-in details for the housing reservation portal. Here you can log-in and reserve one of the accommodations t set aside for international students.

 

More information

• Housing via Leiden University

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

• Application & admission

Are you a future bachelor’s student? Instead, see the FAQ for bachelor’s students who cannot submit their academic records in time.  

The standard deadline for receiving all the required documents for your visa/residence permit request is:

• 1 June: programmes starting in September
• 1 December: programmes starting in February 

Academic records expected later?  
Will the academic records requested in your admission statement (e.g. your final transcript or diploma) be issued after the standard deadline? Follow the instructions below:

If you need a visa AND residence permit:
1. Before the standard visa/residence permit deadline:

• Submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.  
• In the uSis visa portal, also upload a personal statement explaining which academic records are late, why, and when you can provide them.

2. Before 6 July (September start)/ 6 December (February start):
Make sure Leiden University receives the following items sent directly by your institution – see permitted submission methods below:  

• A certified copy of your most recent transcript, and
• A statement confirming your predicated grades and expected graduation date (which must be before the start date of your studies).
  
  Permitted submission methods:
  
• By post to Leiden University Admissions Office postal address in a sealed institution envelope; or
• By email to masteradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl. The email must:
  • be sent from an official email address that is currently in use by your institution;
  • be sent by a staff member who is authorised to issue academic records - their name and position must be clearly stated;
  • state your full name and uSis application number.
    Note: if we are not able to verify the authenticity of the email address or sender (via the institution website or direct contact), we cannot accept documents sent by email.
• Chinese academic records only: upload verification reports of your ‘transcript to date' and ‘student record report’ in Chinese and English in the uSis application portal under ‘other documents’.
  

3. We will request your visa/residence permit on the basis of the above-mentioned documents. However, we must also receive the requested final academic records before the start date of your studies, otherwise your visa/residence permit application will be cancelled - without refund of the fee.

If you need a residence permit only:

1. Before the standard visa/residence permit deadline: submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
   
2. By 1 August (September starts) or 15 January (February start): make sure Leiden University receives the missing academic records.
   
3. If your academic records will only be available after 1 August/15 January, send a mail to masteradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl to request instructions. 

Take action in time!
We urgently request that you take the above-mentioned steps in time. If we do not receive the required documents and information on time, we will not be able to process your visa/residence permit request. This will result in you being unable to join your study programme. 

Because of their popularity, some bachelor’s programmes are oversubscribed. For these programmes, a limit has been set for the number of students that can be allocated a place. This is known as a 'numerus fixus'. This means that even if you are admitted to the programme, you are not guaranteed a place. You must also be allocated a place on the programme via a selection procedure.

• You can find an overview of all numerus fixus study programmes here. 

Take careful note of the application deadlines for numerus fixus programmes as these are generally earlier than those for other types of study programme. 

For further explanation see Admission requirements - Programmes with limited places.

More information

• Student Affairs Front Office

When applying 
When you apply for admission to a degree programme, you only need to upload digital copies of your academic records in the online application portal (uSis). Certified copies are not yet required.

Upon admission
Upon admission you will be notified of the following via uSis:  

• Which additional (certified or digital) academic records you must submit.
• The stipulated method of submission.
• The deadline for submission.

Steps to take:

1. Download your official decision statement (via uSis) and read it carefully. Take note of your admission conditions and the deadlines for meeting them. 
2. On the uSis 'decision' screen: upload digital copies of all items stated in your conditions using the ‘Upload your documents’ button.
3. Check if there are additional submission instructions stated on your decision statement. These might be e.g. submitting certified copies by post or arranging online verification. Follow the instructions carefully! For documents by post, check who must issue them and how they must be sent. 

Via specified method only

• Only submit items via the method(s) specified in your decision statement. Items submitted via other methods cannot be accepted.
• There is no need to send items via multiple methods unless this is requested. For example, if you are instructed to arrange online verification only, you do not need to also send items by post.  

Specified method not possible?
Refer to the FAQ on After admission, what should I do if I am unable to submit certified copies via the specified method?

Questions?
If you are still unsure when and how to submit your academic records after admission, send a mail to the bachelor admission team: bacheloradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl, or master admission team: masteradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl.

Also see the following FAQs

• I’ve been instructed to send certified copies of my academic records by post in a sealed institution envelope. What exactly must I do?
• I’ve been instructed to arrange online verification of my academic records. What exactly must I do?
  

Are you a future master’s student? Instead, see the FAQ for master’s students who cannot submit their academic records in time.

The standard deadline for receiving all the required documents for your visa/residence permit request is 1 June.

Academic records expected later?  
Will the academic records requested in your admission statement (e.g. your final diploma) only be available after 1 June? Follow the instructions below. 

Expected no later than 6 July?

1. Before 1 June: Submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
2. Before 1 June: In the uSis visa portal, also upload a personal statement explaining which academic records are late, why, and when you can provide them.
   
3. By 6 July: make sure we receive the missing academic records*.
   *IB students: we will verify your results after they are released on (or shortly after) 6 July. This will be in time to meet this deadline. 

Expected after 6 July?
If you need a visa AND residence permit:
Before 1 June: 

1. Submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
2. Send an email to: bacheloradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl to request instructions concerning your academic records.

If you need a residence permit only

1. Before 1 June: submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
2. Before 1 August: make sure we receive the missing academic records.
3. If your academic records will only be available after 1 August*, send an email to bacheloradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl to request instructions.
   *Exception: UK A-level results can be submitted later in August, as soon as they are released.  

Take action in time!
We urgently request that you take the above-mentioned steps in time. If we do not receive the required documents and information on time, we will not be able to process your visa/residence permit request. This will result in you being unable to join your study programme.  

As soon as your student registration has been finalised, you will receive a confirmation from us by e-mail. You can then download your Statement of registration via uSis by following the steps below:

1. Log into uSis using your student number. 
2. Click on the 'Communication' tile.
3. If you do not see the message you are looking for, click on the little x in top-right corner of your screen.
4. Click on ‘Your registration is final’ to download your Statement of registration.

If you need a statement of registration with an official stamp, please contact the Student Affairs Front Office at (+31) 071 527 8011 or info@leidenuniv.nl, or visit our office in Leiden or The Hague. Do not forget to mention your student number and the institution that requires the document.

More information

• Student Affairs Front Office

The standard deadline for receiving all the required items for your visa/residence permit application is:

• 1 June: programmes starting in September
• 1 December: programmes starting in February

Items expected later?  
Will one or more of the required items, for example your scholarship letter or new passport, be issued after the standard deadline? If so, take the steps below:

1. Before the standard visa/residence permit deadline:

• Submit all your other visa/residence permit documents and pay the visa/residence fee.
• In the uSis visa portal, upload a personal statement explaining which items are late, why, and when you can provide them.

2. By 6 July (September start) or 6 December (February start):

• Submit the missing item(s). 

Scholarship not granted?
Found out after the visa/residence permit deadline that your scholarship request has not been granted? You can either: 

• Submit alternative proof of sufficient funds before 6 July / 6 December - see the visa/residence permit instructions for details, or
• Cancel your degree application in Studielink, then request a refund of the visa/residence permit fee. 

Academic records even later?
Will your academic records (e.g. final diploma) only be issued after 6 July / 6 December? See the following FAQs for instructions:

• I am a future master’s student and cannot submit the requested academic records before the visa / residence permit deadline. 
• I am a future bachelor’s student and cannot submit the requested academic records in time for the visa / residence permit deadline. 

Take action in time!
We urgently request that you take the above-mentioned steps in time. If we do not receive the required documents and information on time, we will not be able to process your visa/residence permit request. This will result in you being unable to join your study programme. 

When we apply for your visa and/or residence permit, we will ask you to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for both your living expenses and tuition fee by uploading the following in the visa/residence permit portal (uSis):   

Sufficient funds for living expenses

• Transfer sufficient funds for living expenses to Leiden University then upload proof of the transfer, OR
• A bank statement in your name showing sufficient funds, OR
• A scholarship letter.

Sufficient funds for tuition fee

• If you will pay your own tuition fee: a bank statement in your name showing sufficient funds.
  
• If a scholarship provider will pay your tuition fee: a scholarship letter.
• If a third party will pay your tuition fee:
  
  • A written statement issued by your sponsor, confirming they will pay your tuition fee, preferably using this template.
    
  • A bank statement in the sponsor’s name that meets all the criteria listed in the Visa and residence permit instructions manual. 
    
    

Strict criteria for bank statements and scholarship letter
The Dutch immigration department sets very strict criteria for bank statements and scholarship letter. If your statement or letter does not meet all criteria, we will ask you to submit a new one or transfer the funds instead. This will significantly delay your request

For full details of financial requirements for visa/residence permit applications, read the Visa and residence permit instructions manual

On your admission statement, you can find instructions on how to submit certified copies of your academic records. Are you unable to submit certified copies in the manner stated? Take a look at the alternative options below. 

If your diploma can be verified online but we have not offered you this option

• On the decision screen, upload a copy of your diploma AND a document explaining the online verification method.
  
• The Admissions Office will assess whether online verification is possible or if hardcopies are still required.

If your school/university cannot submit documents via the specified method

• Ask your school/university to send your academic records as pdf attachment by email to bacheloradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl or masteradmission@sea.leidenuniv.nl.
  
• The email must be sent by an authorised staff member from an official university email address, clearly stating the name and position of the staff member.
  
• Upon receipt, the Admissions Office will decide if the documents meet the verification requirements or whether further items are required.

If you cannot request documents via your school/university
Are you unable to request documents via your school/university, for example because you graduated too long ago?

• Instead, have your documents legalised or affixed with an Apostille stamp in the country where the qualification was obtained. Consult this Dutch Government website for further information.
  
• The legalisation or Apostille stamp must be original – not a copy. We also cannot accept documents legalised by other authorities, such as notaries, translators or municipal offices.
  
• Send the original legalised/apostilled documents to the Admissions Office by post. See postal address.
  
• Also upload a copy of these items on the decision screen.

If you have a Dutch diploma but it is not in the DUO diploma register (Mijn Diploma’s)

• Ask your Dutch school/university to send certified copies bearing an official stamp and signature in a sealed institution envelope to the Admissions Office by post. See postal address.
  
• Also upload a copy of these items on the decision screen.

Two weeks after the housing application deadline, you will receive an email letting you know whether:

• you applied in time and will soon be given access to the housing reservation portal, OR
• too many students applied before you, so you can choose to request a refund of the housing fee, or be put on a waiting list in case any other students withdraw.
  

Please patiently await this email as we are unable to provide details before this date.  

For students who applied in time, Leiden University will soon after begin sending emails with log-in details for the housing reservation portal. Here you can log-in and reserve one of the accommodations t set aside for international students.

 

More information

• Housing via Leiden University