Study in Europe › Netherlands › Leiden University

BA African Studies

Leiden University (Faculty of Humanities) · Leiden, Netherlands

100% taught in EnglishApply via Studielink, not the CAOOpen entryMandatory matchingSemester in Africa
Duration3 years
StartsSept 2027
EntryOpen entry
Deadline (EU)1 May 2027
EU fee 2026/27€2,694 / yr

About the course

Covers the history, politics, cultures and societies of Africa, and you learn Swahili. In the second year you spend a semester at a university in an African country, where a second African language is offered.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • You need a CAO score of at least 440 points calculated over 6 accepted subjects, including at least 3 at Higher Level (Leiden sets no separate minimum grade per Higher Level subject). Accepted subjects: English, Irish, modern and classical languages (including non-curricular languages), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Classical Studies, Geography, History, Politics and Society, Religious Education and Economics. Subjects such as Accounting, Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Art, Business, Computer Science, Construction Studies, DCG, Home Economics, Music and PE do not count. The Leaving Certificate Applied is not accepted. Leaving Cert holders do not need an English test.
  • No extra subject or maths requirements are published for this programme beyond the general Leaving Cert rule.

How to apply

  1. Apply in StudielinkRegister for the programme in Studielink (applications open 1 October 2026).
  2. Complete uSis applicationYou get Leiden uSis login details within 10 working days; upload your documents and complete the application before 1 May 2027.
  3. Do the matching moduleCompulsory online matching module, available 5 January to 31 August 2027. Non-binding advice arrives within 24 hours.
  4. Get admitted and enrolOnce your Leaving Cert results confirm you meet the rule, you receive admission and finalise enrolment and fees.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 1 May 2027 (apply in Studielink, then complete your application in Leiden’s uSis portal by this date).

Costs

  • Standard Dutch EU fee: €2,694 (2026/27). The 2027/28 fee is set by the Dutch government each year (expected to be close to €2,800).
  • EU students may be eligible for a Dutch tuition-fee loan (DUO).
Open-entry course: if you meet the requirements, you get a place. Completing the online matching module is compulsory but the advice is not binding.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityLeiden
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesNo cap
EntryOpen entry
Admission and application ↗Matching ↗Diploma requirements (PDF) ↗← Back to all European courses

Not sure which course suits you?

The FMCC European Courses Test matches your interests to English-taught courses across Europe, filtered by where you would like to study and your budget. €24.95.

Take the European Courses TestAsk us about 1:1 guidance

Checked against the official Leiden University website: September 2026 (2027 entry). The Irish rule comes from Leiden’s 2027/28 diploma list. Deadlines and matching dates are shown without a year and the fee shown is for 2026/27; please confirm before applying. Always confirm details with the university before applying.