The oldest university in the Netherlands
Leiden University (1575) stands out in law, humanities and sciences. A historic, quiet city between Amsterdam and The Hague.
In short
Leiden is the oldest university city in the Netherlands (1575): historic, quiet and very student-oriented, between Amsterdam and The Hague. Universiteit Leiden stands out in law, humanities, archaeology and sciences. A room costs around €655 a month.
Updated in
*Kamernet average for Q4 2025.
Self-assessment
Where to study
The Netherlands has two types of university: research universities (WO), more academic, and universities of applied sciences (HBO), more practical and with company placements. These are the main options in Leiden:
Research university (WO)
The oldest university in the country and one of the most prestigious. Leiden is home to the faculties of humanities, sciences, archaeology, psychology and law; The Hague has international relations and governance.
In English: In Leiden, English-taught degrees such as Psychology (international track), Archaeology or Linguistics. At its Hague campus: International Studies and Leiden University College.
Official website →University of applied sciences (HBO)
Focused on health, education, social work and applied sciences. Most of its degrees are in Dutch.
In English: Very limited offering in English.
Official website →Cost of living
Budget between €1,030 and €1,265 a month, not counting tuition. Tuition for EU students is €2,694 a year in 2026-2027 (official fee, the same at all public universities).
If you work at least 32 hours a month in the Netherlands, you can apply for the DUO grant like a Dutch student: in 2026 that is up to €324.52 a month in basic grant, plus up to €491.08 in supplementary grant depending on your parents' income.
| Monthly spending | Approx. |
|---|---|
| Room rental | 655 € |
| Food and groceries | 250–350 € |
| Transport (bike and the odd train) | 15–40 € |
| Mobile and internet | 10–20 € |
| Leisure, materials and other | 100–200 € |
| Total | 1.030–1.265 € |
Rent: Kamernet (2025-2026). If you work in the Netherlands you will also need Dutch health insurance (from around €150 a month, with possible government help); if you don't work, the European Health Insurance Card plus supplementary insurance is enough.
Accommodation
It's a small city with a lot of students, so supply is limited and moves fast. The advantage is that The Hague, Delft and Haarlem are very close by train.
City life
Canals, hidden almshouses (hofjes) and more than 20 museums in a city you can explore on foot. Rembrandt was born here and the first tulips in the Netherlands were planted here, in the Hortus Botanicus.
Every 3 October the city celebrates the end of the 1574 siege with hutspot, herring and street parties.
More than 100 poems in dozens of languages painted on the facades, some in Spanish.
Katwijk and Noordwijk are about 20 minutes away by bike or bus.
Frequently asked questions
Roughly between €1,030 and €1,265 a month, with a room of around €655 (Kamernet average from late 2025).
Yes, although many of the most in-demand international programmes (International Studies, Leiden University College) are at the Hague campus. In Leiden there are English-taught degrees in psychology, archaeology and linguistics, among others.
Leiden is smaller, more historic and more student-focused; The Hague is bigger, more international and has a beach. It depends above all on where your degree is taught.
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