EU · Bachelor's
Leiden University
BA International Studies
Leiden University
Course Overview
Leiden University's BA International Studies is the Netherlands' leading interdisciplinary undergraduate degree in regional studies — taught 100% in English from the historic Leiden campus and the new Wijnhaven campus in The Hague (a 10-minute train ride from the International Court of Justice, the OPCW, and Europol). Leiden is the Netherlands' oldest university (founded 1575) and consistently ranked top 60 globally (QS 2025).
The three-year programme is built around a regional specialisation — students pick one of seven world regions: Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia & Eurasia, or South & Southeast Asia (the South & Southeast Asia track covers Sri Lanka explicitly through Leiden's KITLV — the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies). Students learn the regional language (Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Hindi/Urdu, Japanese) for all three years alongside political, economic and cultural analysis.
Sri Lankan applicants are well-suited to this degree if they want a Europe-priced (€18,000/year), English-taught, internationally-oriented liberal arts and social science programme. The Netherlands offers a 1-year orientation visa after graduation that converts to a highly-skilled migrant visa with €2,801/month salary (2024 floor for under-30 grads). Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague host European HQs of UN agencies (ICC, ICJ, Europol), plus Shell, Unilever, ASML, and a thriving fintech / consulting hub.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan A/Ls: 3 passes (B or above), including a humanities / social science subject. Cambridge International / Edexcel A-Levels accepted.
- check_circle IB Diploma: 30 points minimum (mid-30s competitive).
- check_circle Strong written motivation letter (1,000 words) covering region choice and academic interests.
- check_circle Online matching procedure (Studiekeuzecheck) — non-binding self-assessment after application.
- check_circle Leiden uses Studielink (the Dutch central application system) plus a Leiden-specific portal.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall (min 6.5 in each component).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 100 Overall (min 22 in Reading and Writing).
- check_circle Cambridge English C1 Advanced: 185 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your school qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English for the last 4 years (most Sri Lankan applicants from Edexcel / Cambridge International streams qualify with an MOI letter from the school).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (€) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, non-EU, 2026) | €18,000 | Rs. 6,210,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Leiden/The Hague) | €12,000 | Rs. 4,140,000 |
| Student Visa + Health Insurance + Establishment | €1,200 | Rs. 414,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | €31,200 | Rs. 10,764,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
The Netherlands offers a 1-year Orientation Year (zoekjaar) visa to all non-EU graduates, converting to a Highly Skilled Migrant visa once employed at €2,801/month (under-30 grad rate) or €3,909/month (over-30). Leiden International Studies grads work at UN agencies in The Hague (ICC, ICJ, Europol, OPCW), the European Parliament, plus Shell, Unilever, ASML, and Amsterdam-based consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte). Dutch starting salaries €38,000–€48,000.
Related Programs
BA Economics
University of Warwick
BA International Relations
King's College London (Department of War Studies)
BA in International Studies
Korea University (Division of International Studies)
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