Leiden University

Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities. It has seven faculties in the arts, sciences and social sciences, spread over locations in Leiden and The Hague. The University has over 6,500 staff members and 26,900 students. The motto of the University is 'Praesidium Libertatis' – Bastion of Freedom.

Praesidium Libertatis is the motto of Leiden University. This means Bastion of Freedom. The University has always stood for freedom of spirit, thought and speech as well as freedom in research and teaching. The University wants to create an environment in which academics and students have the opportunity to excel. We welcome all who wish to study or work here and achieve their full potential. The University has a responsibility to society and to future generations. This means providing excellent research and teaching that make the world a safer, healthier, more sustainable, prosperous and just place – at local, regional and global level.

The University as a whole is managed by the Executive Board, which in turn is monitored by the Board of Governors. The University Council is the University’s co-participation body. The Executive Board is supported in its work by the Administration and Central Services department and various expertise centres. The University wishes to create an increasingly attractive and challenging working climate for top academics and young researchers that is guided by quality and excellence. Our research will continue to meet the highest international standards of quality and academic integrity.

We challenge our students to excel and to get the best out of themselves. For our part, we do everything in our power to provide a stimulating academic environment in which to work and learn.

We do this through:

• Focusing more attention on individual responsibility
• Encouraging greater student commitment and participation
• Providing more opportunities for acquiring new skills
• Putting greater emphasis on equal opportunities and diversity

As a prestigious European research university, Leiden University plays a foremost role in academic research and teaching. High-quality academic research and teaching are crucial to a safe, healthy, sustainable, prosperous and just world. The University is committed to developing, disseminating and applying academic knowledge and is a trusted figure in societal and political debates in the national and international arena.

Leiden University is an internationally operating research-driven university with a wide range of academic disciplines and degree programmes. It aims for excellence in all its research and teaching. The University focuses its efforts on achieving the maximum impact from its research and teaching – academic, cultural, societal and economic. It does this in close collaboration with local, regional, national and international partners. Based on a careful consideration of its disciplinary structure, Leiden University focuses on disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and teaching. Leiden University trains students and PhD candidates for academic posts in academia and beyond. Its graduates are able to conduct a critical assessment of academic and societal problems and make considered choices when seeking solutions to these problems. Leiden University aspires to create a close academic community of staff and students. Leiden alumni inform this community with their experience, expertise and involvement. Leiden University also works closely with its university partners: Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam, and at European level with its partners in the League of European Research Universities (LERU).

The motto of Leiden University is: Libertatis Praesidium or Bastion of Freedom. A number of basic principles guide the University’s actions. Throughout its history the University has always stood for freedom of spirit, thought and speech, together with freedom of research and teaching. It is a place of refuge where any question can be asked and answered in complete freedom. Our academics are guided by the highest ambitions of quality and academic integrity. The University also endeavours to instil this academic attitude in its students. The University bears a responsibility to society. It regards this as a responsibility not only to present generations but also to future ones. Our teaching is informed and inspired by academic research. The academic community determines the content and structure of our teaching and research. Decisions relating to this are made at the lowest level possible: at the level of the departments, institutes and faculties wherever possible and only at University level if this has clear advantages or is considered necessary. Leiden University stands for inclusiveness and diversity. It is open to all who wish to study or work here and develop to their full potential. It is an open community in which anyone who wishes to contribute to its ambitions and all that it stands for can feel welcome and enjoy equal opportunities.

The University has much more to offer besides its teaching and research. Come and visit our exhibitions or explore the special collections in the libraries. The University provides learning for all. You can attend one of the University’s public lectures or register for adult education. We also provide dance and music classes, and the Leiden University Sports Centre offers a wide range of sporting activities.