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Minors

Most Bachelor’s programmes at Leiden University have a major-minor structure, with 15 to 30 study credits (EC) reserved for elective credits. One way to earn elective credits is by doing a minor. You can register for a minor via eduXchange. The information on this page is intended for Leiden University students only.

New registration method for minors

From 2023 onwards, you will no longer register for minors via uSis. Instead, you will use eduXchange. Create an eduID and link it to Leiden University today. You can find instruction videos under 'application' below.

What is a minor?

A minor is a cohesive, carefully-compiled set of courses. Minors contain introductory courses followed by more in-depth study, thus allowing students who are less familiar with the topic to follow them.  

A minor allows you to explore subjects beyond the boundaries of your own study programme. It can offer new knowledge, insight and skills, perhaps from a completely different field of study. You can also use your minor as a way of preparing for a future Master’s programme.

The best time to do a minor is in the third year of your Bachelor’s programme. 

Minors in Leiden

Leiden University offers around 60 minors. You can find details of all Leiden University minors, including contents and schedule, in the minors overview.

Minors at TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam

Leiden University, Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam collaborate closely on a range of educational matters. This makes it easy to follow a minor at TU Delft or the Erasmus University. During the application period for Leiden students in April and May, TU Delft and the Erasmus University reserve a third of their minor places for Leiden University students. Just like studying abroad and internships, following a minor elsewhere can enrich your studies, your student life and your CV.

Joint minors Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities

Leiden, Delft and Rotterdam also offer multidisciplinary joint minors, taught by lecturers from the three universities. Students from various fields of study have the opportunity to work together on a range of multidisciplinary topics. You can find more information on the LDE minors webpage

See all minors on offer

On the eduXchange minor platform you can find the total selection of minors, including minors at TU Delft, Erasmus University Rotterdam and joint LDE minors. 

Total selection of minors in EduXchange

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  • You must be registered as a bachelor's student at Leiden University.
  • Your minor may not overlap with your regular studies. Are you unsure? In your study programme's Course and Examination Regulations (OER) you can read which minors you are not allowed to follow due to overlap. Don't see your minor but still in doubt? Ask your board of examiners about the overlap between your minor and your programme(s) to be sure. 
  • If you only want to follow part of a minor, you need permission from the Board of Examiners
  • For some minors there are additional admission requirements, such as academic background or a selection procedure. See the minors overview for the requirements for Leiden minors. For Delft and Rotterdam minors see the websites of TU Delft and the Erasmus University

In terms of educational level, the best time to do a minor is in the third year of your Bachelor’s programme. This is an advisory note, rather than an admission requirement.

When?

Type of minor

University

Application period

Minors with admission requirements*

TU Delft, Erasmus, LDE, Leiden

3 April at (13.00) till 16 April 

Minors without admission requirements

TU Delft, Erasmus, LDE

8 May at (13.00) till 31 May 

 

Leiden

8 May at (13.00) till 15 July 

* A minor with 'admission requirements' has additional selection criteria or procedures. You can check which minors have admission requirements in the Leiden minors overview or on the website of TU Delft and Erasmus.

Important information

  • Every minor has a limited number of places. These are allocated on a first come, first served basis (with the exception of TU Delft and Erasmus minors with admission requirements*). So apply on time.
  • You may only apply for one minor with admission requirements. 
  • You may only apply for one TUD/EUR/LDE minor.
  • If you are placed on a waiting list, you may apply for another Leiden minor (without admission requirements). Please note: you can only follow one minor. Are you placed on two waiting lists? Deregister from one of the two minors and apply for a different one. 
  • You can change or cancel your applications right up to the end of the application period. Be sure to deregister from any minor that you do not plan to follow. This way you won't block a spot that your fellow students could be using. 

How? 

  • Create an eduID;
  • Under Personal Info, link your eduID account to Leiden University; 
  • Register for your minor via eduXchange.

Exceptions: if you are doing a bachelor's in Clinical Technology or Life Science & Technology, link your eduID to TU Delft and log into eduXchange as a TU Delft student.  

See the eduID and eduXchange instruction videos below.

How to create an eduID

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How to register for a minor in eduXchange

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As a Leiden University student, you can cancel your application for a Leiden minor until 1 September by using the 'Enrolled/Drop' tile in the uSis main menu.

For minors at TU Delft or Erasmus University Rotterdam, you must instead cancel your application in the student portal of the university in question. See the TU Delft or Erasmus University Rotterdam website for details. 

Questions?

Do you have a question about the content of a particular minor? Get in touch with the contact person for that minor as stated in the minors overview.

Do you have other questions? Take a look in the FAQ section. If you can't find the information you are looking for, contact the Student Affairs Front Office.

FGGA Minors

Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs offers the following minors in 2023-2024:

Overview of Minors

The e-Prospectus provides information on every minor of Leiden University. Check it out!

e-Prospectus
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