Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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
How do I request proof of payment of tuition fees?
When you enroll for a second study programme in another institution, you can request a proof of payment of tuition fees (Bewijs Betaald Collegegeld - BBC) directly in Studielink during your (re)enrolment. You can follow the steps in this document.
If your institution does not accept a BBC through Studielink, you can request proof of tuition fee payment from the Student affairs front office. Make sure to let us know your student number when making the request. You can ask us to send it directly to another Dutch university by email, collect it in person, or have it sent to your correspondence address.
Proof of payment for another Dutch university (bewijs betaald collegegeld - BBC)
If you require proof of tuition fee payment to show to another Dutch university, let us know the name of the institution in question when making your request.
Proof of payment for other purposes
If you require proof of tuition fee payment for another purpose, for example to show to a scholarship provider, insurance company or tax authorities, you should not request a BBC. Instead, you should request a 'proof of student registration letter' that also indicates your tuition fee rate.
What is the selection procedure for programmes with limited places (numerus fixus)?
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.
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.
How do I request a LU card?
To request a LU-Card you must have a Dutch correspondence address. Enter your Dutch correspondence address in Studielink as soon as possible, then request a LU-Card as follows:
- Log into Account Services using your student account (ULCN).
- Go to 'My profile' and check that your Dutch correspondence address is correct. If your address is incorrect, update it in Studielink (this step is not required for exchange students)
- Go to 'My profile' and upload a passport photo. Make sure your photo meets standard passport photo requirements.
Within 5 to 10 days you will receive your LU-Card at your Dutch correspondence address.
Exchange students will need to do the following:
As soon as you have a Dutch correspondence address:
- Log into uSis · Click on the 'Contact details' tile
- Enter your Dutch address
- Log into Account Services using your student account (ULCN).
- Go to 'My profile' and upload a passport photo. Make sure your photo meets standard passport photo requirements.
- Within 5 to 10 days you will receive your LU-Card at your Dutch correspondence address.
What counts as proof of sufficient funds for my visa/residence permit request?
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.
- A written statement issued by your sponsor, confirming they will pay your tuition fee, preferably using this template.
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
When and how must I submit digital or certified copies of my academic records to the university?
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:
- When you must submit digital or certified copies
- Which items are required
- The method of submission you must use
- Upload digital copies of all items/information stated in your conditions using the ‘Upload your documents’ button on the decision screen.
- Check if there are additional submission instructions for the document(s) stated in your conditions. If you must send certified copies by post, carefully check the criteria for the documents, who must issue them and how they must be sent.
Questions?
If you are still unsure when and how to submit certified copies, 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 haven’t (yet) received my LU card. What should I do?
There can be a number of reasons why you haven’t yet received your LU card:
- You have not yet uploaded a passport photo through Account Self Service.
- The university does not have your correct address; check this in Studielink or at the Student Affairs Front Office. If your address is correct after all, go to one of the LU Card helpdesks to request a new card.
- You have previously had a LU Card. In that case you can only request a new one at an LU Card helpdesk.
- You are an exchange student. In that case you will receive an email telling you when you can pick up your LU Card from the Plexus Student Centre.
For further assistance, contact the Student Affairs Front Office.
I am an international student and have requested housing via uSis. When will I hear more?
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.
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
Can I start a bachelor's programme on a date other than 1 September?
If you are applying as a post-first year student, first contact the study adviser of the bachelor's programme you wish to join to find out if mid-term admission is possible. For contact information, go to the programme webpage.
More information
What conditions do I have to meet in order to be able to do part of my study programme abroad?
You must have successfully completed at least the first year of your study programme and be currently enrolled at Leiden University. You also need to obtain the approval of your programme's board of examiners, so make sure to contact your study adviser or international exchange coordinator in good time.
In addition, you must meet the criteria of your chosen university abroad. Usually this means you must have an average grade of at least 7, and take an English language test (IELTS or TOEFL).
In the case of an exchange programme, you will have to be selected for the exchange by the coordinator of the exchange programme.