Welcome to Leiden University
Will you soon be joining Leiden University? Here you can find all the information you need to get your studies off to a good start.
Joining a bachelor's or master's programme?
Find out what you need to know and arrange by clicking on your faculty or study programme tab.
Joining an exchange or study-abroad programme?
Find out all you need to know for your semester at Leiden University on the website for international exchange and study abroad students.
Welcome at the Faculty Governance and Global Affairs. All information you will need to start with your studies, you will find on the programme's tab.
Is there no information yet, or did you not find an answer to your question? Please contact the co-ordinator of studies.
Information for new students
Below you will find some of the most important information about studying at Leiden University. Please click on the relevant link for more information. Moreover, on the university website always make sure to click on the tab page of your programme when there are more tab pages.
The student website shows you all information that you need as a student. It contains current information about the study programme, direct links to relevant systems, consultation hours of study advisers, and news. In order to be able to see programme specific information, you will have to log in with your ULCN-account (see right below) or indicate which programme you are following when you go to the student portal. Some of the links below also contain programme specific information.
- ULCN-account
The ULCN-account is your Leiden University account with which you have access to all university systems. Your ID consists of the letter ‘s’ followed by your student number and the password you received from Leiden University.
uSis is the student administration system of Leiden University. You will find your official grades here, and you will have to use uSis to submit (administrative) requests for exemptions and elective space. You access this system by using your ULCN-account (see above). If you have questions you can take a look at the FAQsuSis.
Each student has a personal University e-mail account (U-mail). This is accessible as long as you have an internet connection. You can log in with your ULCN-account. Please note: the university will only use this U-mail address to contact students and students are expected to contact university staff with their U-mail address.
You are expected to carry your university card (LU card) with you at all times when at the university. You will need this card for instance when sitting an exam, for entering the bicycle shed or to borrow books from the library.
Brightspace is the digital learning environment from the university where you can find information about all of the courses you are registered for. After registering for the courses in MyStudyMap you will get access to the relevant Brightspace pages and all relevant course information like assignments, deadlines, reading lists, and pre-publication of grades etc.
In MyStudymap, the university’s Studentportal, you can plan your semester, register for courses and (confirm) exams and find your personal Timetable. You have to login to this portal with your ULCN account.
The BaSS Student Handbook has been designed as a reference tool for the students of the BaSS. Students are encouraged to consult this document for an introduction to all aspects of their study, from information on the programme to organising their academic and social life within the BaSS. As all topics are not addressed in extensive detail within the text of this Manual, additional reference links have been provided where relevant.
The Student Handbook can be found in the general Brightspace course for Security Studies students.
Make sure you have completed the matching-procedure and your registration in Studielink on time if you wish to start with the study programme in September.
You can enroll for courses and (resit)exams through our admin system MyStudymap (see above). Please see the general page under ‘Courses and Exams’ for important deadlines and instructions.
You can find your personal programme activities like lectures, skills labs , workgroups and exams in MyTimetable..If you have enrolled correctly in MyStudymap, the course or exam will also appear in your personal timetable and you will be notified of all changes. If you have not enrolled yourself, but wish to learn about the schedule, you can add the programme’s timetable to MyTimetable.
The academic year of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs is divided into two semesters. Each semester in its turn is divided into two blocks with each block consisting of 8 weeks. You usually follow 2 courses per block; 1 Lecture Course and 1 Skills Lab. You will have the Lecture Course as well as the Skills Lab twice a week. In this 8 week block you will have mid-terms usually in week 4 as well as final exam/assessment in week 8. After week 8 a new block with 1 new Lecture Course and 1 new Skills Labs will start. January and June are meant for retakes. Each semester will consist of a theory based Lecture Course as well as a case study Lecture Course while the Skills Labs are tutorials done to improve and enhance your academic skills.
- Books
You can find the literature that is required per course in the e-Prospectus (see below) and on Brightspace.
- Study programme and information on courses (e-Prospectus)
You can find all information about your study programme and courses in the e-Prospectus:
course descriptions, literature, examination and teaching methods, time table, etc
- (re-sit)Exams
You will find the examination methods for each course in the e-Prospectus. The exam timetable (dates and locations) can be found in MyTimetable and Brightspace. You have to register yourself for exams and re-sits. Do not forget to confirm your participation in an exam, at least 10 days in advance. For more information, see the help pages.
- Registration of grades
Grades for completed courses will be registered by the Education Services Centre (see below under ‘Organisations’). Only grades on uSis are official (grades in Brightspace are not official).
- Teaching methods
Besides lectures there are also Skills Labs in which you will be taught in smaller groups and in which you will practice theory and skills. Formal assessments will consist of exams and/or assignments, like papers and presentations. You will also take part in joint projects.
- Personal problems
When personal problems (of any kind) cause you to fall behind with your programme, you can contact the study advisers, student counselors or student psychologist (see below under ‘Organisations’). We recommend you to contact the study adviser first.
- Disabilities (ADD, dyslexia etc.)
Studying with a disability usually costs extra time and energy. Perhaps extra support is possible for your situation. Read more
- Top-class sport
Combining a study programme with top-class sport demands a lot of commitment and a good study plan. The student counselors for elite athletes can give you more information.
The Board of Examiners is responsible for the organization and quality of exams. They can: grant requests for exemptions, grant requests for retakes, assessing elective space, make arrangements for fraud, plagiarism etc.
You can contact the Education Services Centre (OSC) for questions about: course and exam enrollment, the timetable and the registration of grades.
De Programme Committee (Opleidingscommissie, OLC) consists of academic staff and students. The OLC can give both requested and not requested advice about all educational matters to the Programme Board and possibly also to the Faculty Board. If you have complaints or suggestions to improve the programme, please contact the OLC of your programme.
The study advisers are your first point of contact for advice and information about matters like the content and structure of the programme, programme and examination regulations, study plan and approach, but also if personal circumstances prevent your study progress.
You can go to the student counselors for questions and problems regarding study completion delay, legal position and regulations and financial matters.
Student psychologists can support you with personal problems that affect your study programme directly. Based on your situation the student psychologist will decide with you what the next best step will be.
L.S.A. Custodia is the study association for the bachelor Security Studies and the master Crisis and Security Management. A young and dynamic association to provide students of these programs with opportunities for a deeper and more engaging university experience.
In the libraries there are quiet places to study and you can make use of reference books. Furthermore, youcan find all books, journals, and data bases that are in the possession of the libraries in the catalogue.
You have access to university study spots , Wi-Fi, uMail, Blackboard, uSis and SURFspot with your ULCN-account.
There are several computer rooms in the university buildings where you can work. There are also both silent and non-silent places where you can study, work with other students or sit with your laptop and make use of the WiFi connection.