Study in Europe › Netherlands › Leiden University

BSc Science for Sustainable Societies

Leiden University (Faculty of Science) · Leiden, Netherlands

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

About the course

An interdisciplinary degree on sustainability problems that combines natural sciences (about 50%), social sciences (40%) and governance (10%). It includes fieldwork, excursions and assignments based on real-life cases, from local to global scale.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Irish Leaving Certificate holders need a CAO score of at least 440, calculated over 6 accepted subjects, including at least 3 at Higher Level. Accepted subjects include English, Irish, modern and classical languages, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Classical Studies, Geography, History, Politics and Society, Religious Education and Economics; subjects such as Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business, Art, Music, Computer Science, DCG, Home Economics and PE do not count. The Leaving Certificate Applied is not accepted. This applies to the full Leaving Certificate programme. No English test is needed if you completed secondary school in Ireland.
  • Subject requirement: the Dutch requirement is Mathematics plus at least two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography or Economics. Leiden’s 2027-2028 science subject list does not include the Irish Leaving Certificate, so it publishes no Irish level or grade; check with admissions which subjects and levels you need.

How to apply

  1. Register in StudielinkStudielink opens on 1 October 2026. Choose BSc Science for Sustainable Societies.
  2. Complete your uSis applicationLeiden emails uSis login details about a day later. Upload your documents and pay any application fee requested. Admissions checks your maths and science subjects.
  3. Apply by 1 May 2027Your uSis application must be complete by 1 May.
  4. Do the matching moduleCompulsory online module (about 2-3 hours: questionnaire, mini-lectures, motivation reflection). The advice is not binding. The EU deadline was 12 June in 2026; check the 2027 date.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 1 May 2027 (application); compulsory matching module to be completed by mid-June (12 June in the 2026 cycle).

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. The online matching module is compulsory but its result does not affect admission.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityLeiden
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesNo cap
EntryOpen entry
Admission requirements ↗Matching module ↗Science diploma requirements 2027/2028 (PDF) ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official Leiden University website: September 2026 (2027 entry). Matching dates are from the 2026-27 cycle, and Leiden does not publish Irish subject levels for this programme, so confirm with admissions. Always confirm details with the university before applying.