Leiden University

Leiden University has been elevating minds and making an impact since 1575. That’s 443 years of tradition and innovation.
We are:
The first, and therefore oldest university in the Netherlands, established by William of Orange
Ranked in the world’s top 100
Located in two vibrant student cities: Leiden and The Hague
A founding member of the League of European Research Universities
Highly international
In its nearly 450 years of existence, our university has built a solid reputation. Notable Leiden alumni include members of the Dutch royal family, King Willem Alexander, Princess Beatrix van Oranje-Nassau and His Royal Highness Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau, as well as former Secretary General of NATO Professor Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and current Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Even Winston Churchill was an honourary degree recipient of Leiden University!
Throughout its history the university has stood for freedom and its motto, Praesidium Libertatis, translates as ‘bastion of freedom’, dating back to when its founder conferred university status on Leiden in recognition of the city’s resistance against Spanish invaders.
The modern day Leiden stands for inclusiveness and diversity. It comprises seven faculties in the arts, sciences and social sciences, is home to 28,100 students from 120 different countries and describes itself as ‘a place of refuge where any question can be asked and answered in complete freedom’.
The city grew up around the university over the centuries, and has made Leiden the vibrant student-city it is today. Leiden University has a second location in the International City of Peace and Justice: The Hague. Leiden University College, the university’s international bachelor’s honours college, the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs and a number of programmes from our other faculties are based in there.