Study in Europe › Netherlands › Leiden University

BSc Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology

Leiden University (Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences) · Leiden, Netherlands

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

About the course

Studies cultural diversity and how people live together around the world, built around four themes: sustainability, diversity, digitalisation and methodology. It includes training in research methods such as fieldwork, photography and film.

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 specific maths grade is published for Leaving Cert applicants. The maths requirement on the page applies only to Dutch HBO propaedeutic and colloquium doctum routes.

How to apply

  1. Apply in StudielinkRegister for the English-taught (international) 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 moduleCompulsory online module (lectures on sustainability, diversity, digitalisation and methodology, plus assignments), available from 5 January; finish by 1 September 2027. Non-binding.
  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 your results do not affect admission. A Dutch-taught version also exists, so choose the English-taught version in Studielink.

At a glance

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

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Checked against the official Leiden University website: September 2026 (2027 entry). The Irish rule comes from Leiden’s 2027/28 diploma list. Deadlines 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.