Study in Europe › Netherlands › Leiden University

BA South and Southeast Asian Studies

Leiden University (Faculty of Humanities) · Leiden, Netherlands

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

About the course

Covers the history, cultures and politics of South and Southeast Asia, with a choice to focus on modern societies or classical cultures. Students also learn one language from the region (Hindi, Sanskrit, Tibetan or Indonesian) and spend a semester in the region in year 3.

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.
  • No extra subject requirements: the university lists no specific subjects for this programme, and the admission page lists no requirement for prior knowledge of an Asian language.

How to apply

  1. Register in StudielinkStudielink opens on 1 October 2026. Choose BA South and Southeast Asian Studies.
  2. Complete your uSis applicationLeiden emails uSis login details about a day later. Upload your documents and pay any application fee requested.
  3. Apply by 1 May 2027Your uSis application must be complete by 1 May. Apply early.
  4. Accept and enrolOnce admitted, confirm your place, arrange tuition payment and choose your language for the September 2027 start.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 1 May 2027 (application deadline for international students who do not need a visa or residence permit).

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. It is a small programme, with about 10 first-year students on average.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityLeiden
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesNo cap
EntryOpen entry
Admission requirements ↗Application deadlines ↗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). The deadline page does not name the academic year, so confirm dates before applying. Always confirm details with the university before applying.