Study in Europe › Netherlands › Leiden University

BA Linguistics

Leiden University (Faculty of Humanities) · 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 2027/28€2,771 / yr

About the course

The scientific study of language: how languages are structured, how they are acquired and why they differ. In year 2 you choose a specialisation; Descriptive Linguistics, Language and Cognition and Comparative Indo-European Linguistics are taught in English.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Leiden University asks Irish Leaving Certificate holders for at least 440 CAO points from 6 accepted subjects, including at least 3 at Higher Level. Accepted subjects include English, Irish, most languages, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, Politics and Society, Religious Education and Economics; subjects such as Accounting, Business, Applied Maths, Computer Science, Art, Music and DCG do not count. This applies if you followed the full Leaving Cert programme; the Leaving Certificate Applied is not accepted. No English test is needed.
  • No extra subject requirements are published for this course beyond the general rule.

How to apply

  1. Apply in StudielinkStudielink opens on 1 October 2026. Register for the programme there.
  2. Complete uSis applicationUpload your documents in Leiden’s uSis portal by 1 May 2027.
  3. Mandatory matchingComplete the online matching module (video lectures and texts with multiple-choice questions, about 1-3 hours). It is available from 5 January to 31 August.
  4. Get your adviceFeedback arrives by email the same day. The advice is not binding and does not affect admission.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 1 May 2027 (register in Studielink, then complete your application in Leiden’s uSis system by this date).

Costs

  • Standard Dutch EU (statutory) fee: €2,771 for 2027/28, as published by Leiden University.
  • EU students may be eligible for a Dutch tuition-fee loan (DUO).
Open-entry course: if you meet the requirements, you get a place. Choose an English-taught specialisation in year 2; ‘Taal in gebruik’ is taught mainly in Dutch.

At a glance

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

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Checked against the official Leiden University website: September 2026 (2027 entry). Deadline and matching pages do not state a year, so confirm dates closer to applying. Always confirm details with the university before applying.