Study in Europe › Netherlands › Leiden University

BA Archaeology

Leiden University (Faculty of Archaeology) · Leiden, Netherlands

100% taught in EnglishApply via Studielink, not the CAOOpen entryMandatory matchingField school
Duration3 years
StartsSept 2027
EntryOpen entry
Deadline (EU)1 May 2027
EU fee 2027/28€2,771 / yr

About the course

Studies past societies and human behaviour through material remains and archaeological methods, ending the first year with a field school. Later years cover themes such as Deep History, Early Empires, Bioarchaeology and Archaeological Theory, and include an internship in fieldwork, a museum, a laboratory or another organisation.

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 Leaving Cert applicants beyond the general rule.

How to apply

  1. Apply in StudielinkRegister for the programme in Studielink (applications open 1 October 2026).
  2. Complete uSis applicationActivate your Leiden uSis account and upload your documents before 1 May 2027.
  3. Do the matching moduleAfter applying you are invited to a compulsory online module; the matching period starts in spring 2027. The advice is non-binding and arrives the same day.
  4. Get admitted and enrolOnce you have completed matching and your Leaving Cert results confirm you meet the rule, you are admitted 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 statutory EU fee: €2,771 for 2027/28, as listed on Leiden’s Archaeology tuition fees page for first-year bachelor’s students.
  • 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 does not affect admission.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityLeiden
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesNo cap
EntryOpen entry
Admission requirements ↗Application deadlines ↗Matching ↗← Back to all European courses

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