Entry requirements

• A bachelor’s diploma from a recognised university in Political Science or with a major in political Science, or with a substantial number of credits (minimally 120 ECTS) in Political Science or related disciplines, including credits in at least four of the areas listed below.
• Sufficient proficiency in the English language, as evidenced by an appropriate test: a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper based)/ 250 (computer based)/ 100 (internet based) or an IELTS score of at least 7.0.
  This requirement does not apply for:
  • students who have completed their education in any one of the following countries:
    Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia
  • graduates of the following English-language institutions in the Netherlands:
    University College Utrecht
    University College Maastricht
    Amsterdam University College
    Leiden University College, and
    Roosevelt Academy
  • graduates of the following English-language programmes in the Netherlands:
    University of Twente: European Studies Specialization (Public Administration)
    University of Maastricht: European Studies
    Webster University (Leiden Campus)
    University of Tilburg: Liberal Arts and Sciences

If you do not fall within one of these categories, you need to submit proof of English proficiency (as outlined above) with your application.

Required application documents for all applicants
-Your motivation letter
-Two recommendation letters* (at least one from your former university)
-Your CV

*For referees who want to send their recommendation letter directly to the university instead of to the student, please use one of the following addresses:

Regular mail:
Leiden University
Admissions Office
Gravensteen/Pieterskerkhof 6
2311 SR Leiden
The Netherlands
E-mail:

Info@leidenuniv.nl

Students who have a BA/BSc in Political Science from Leiden University do not have to apply for admission.

Additional requirements

Irrespective of the undergraduate programme that has been completed, the admissions committee can demand that the applicant demonstrates competency in the following eight sub-fields:

• Political Philosophy
• Comparative Politics
• International Politics
• European Integration
• Political Behavoiur
• Rational Choice
• Dutch Politics
• Research Design and Measurement in the Social Sciences

• If you do not fall within one of these categories, you need to submit proof of English proficiency (as outlined above) with your application.*

The admissions committee examines each case individually according to the applicant’s previous education to determine whether such competency can be established.

1. Applicants who prove competency in all sub-fields can be considered for admission without having to fulfill additional requirements.
2. Applicants for whom competency in at least four of these sub-fields can be established may be considered for provisional admission contingent upon demonstration of competency in the remaining sub-fields depending on the track they have chosen.
   Competency in the sub-field Research Design and Measurement in the Social Sciences can be demonstrated by completing the conversion course Research Design and Measurement in the Social Sciences (5 ects) offered by the Institute of Political Science during the first block of the academic year. Competency in the remaining sub-fields may be demonstrated by successfully completing examinations held at the beginning of the academic year. Demonstration of competency in sub-fields not obtained during the applicant’s previous education is not part of the curriculum of the Master of Science programme.
3. Applicants for whom competency in fewer than four of the sub-fields can be demonstrated based upon previous education, will not be considered for provisional admission to the Master of Science in Political Science programme. They must first demonstrate such competency before admission can be granted.