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Leiden University

What to write for a Leiden bachelor's application, from the motivation letter to numerus fixus selection, for 2026 entry.

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Application route

Studielink + uSis (not Common App or UCAS)

Main written piece

Letter of motivation (most selective programmes)

Selection extras

Online assessment for several numerus fixus courses

Interview

Not standard for bachelor's admission

What Leiden rewards

Leiden does not use the US Common App or the UK's UCAS. You apply through Studielink, the Netherlands' national registration system, and then complete a programme application in Leiden's portal (uSis). Studielink opens on 1 October for the following year. For most courses, admission turns on whether your diploma and grades meet the bar, not on a personal essay, so the writing you do matters less than your transcript and more than you might expect in the few places it appears.

Where writing does count, it is usually a letter of motivation rather than a US-style life-story essay. International applicants with a non-Dutch diploma often submit a motivation letter and CV as part of the uSis application, and several selective programmes ask for one directly. The challenge for Americans is to drop the personal-narrative reflex: Leiden wants a focused, evidence-based account of why this specific programme fits you, not a story about who you became on a hard day.

01Fit with this exact programme. Leiden rewards letters that show you have read the actual curriculum. Name the course, name modules or research themes, and explain why they match what you want to study. Generic admiration for the city or the 1575 founding date does nothing.
02Academic evidence over emotion. This is closer to a UK or European motivation letter than a Common App essay. Concrete proof of interest (a book, a project, a relevant subject you went deep on) beats a moving anecdote with no academic substance.
03Clarity and structure. Dutch academic culture prizes direct, well-organised writing. A clean letter with a clear claim, supporting evidence, and a logical close reads as competence. Flowery openings and vague ambition read as filler.
04Realistic, specific motivation. Admissions and selection readers want to see you understand what the degree involves, including the parts that are hard. Showing you know what you are signing up for signals you will finish.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

1 prompt for Leiden, each broken down with annotated examples.

Letter of motivationNo fixed university-wide limit; aim for roughly 400-600 words (about one page). Check your programme page for specific guidance.

Write a letter of motivation explaining why you want to study this specific Leiden bachelor's programme, what relevant background and skills you bring, and why you are a good fit.

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Your chance

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Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at Leiden and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Numerus fixus (selection) courses15 January, 23:59 CET
Non-EU/EEA students (visa needed)1 April
EU/EEA students, general programmes1 May
Studielink opens1 October

Cost

Sticker price$31,000
Avg net after aid$31,000
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How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Leiden weighs most Supplemental essays1 prompt, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $31,000/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Leiden interview? Format, tips, and practice The Leiden Reader ProScore your draft against Leiden's exact prompts
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Leiden FAQ

What is Leiden's acceptance rate?

Leiden does not publish an official undergraduate acceptance rate. Third-party sources estimate roughly 30%, but this is not an official figure and selectivity varies sharply by programme: numerus fixus courses with capped places are much harder to enter than open-enrolment courses. Always treat aggregator numbers as rough context, not a guarantee. At Leiden, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Leiden require?

Leiden requires 1 supplemental essay on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does Leiden cost?

Leiden's published sticker price is about $31,000 per year, but the average family pays $31,000 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

When are Leiden's application deadlines?

Leiden's application deadlines are Numerus fixus (selection) courses 15 January, 23:59 CET; Non-EU/EEA students (visa needed) 1 April; EU/EEA students, general programmes 1 May; Studielink opens 1 October. Add Leiden to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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