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Leiden University

Leiden, NetherlandsReviewed 22 October 2026

Leiden's Computer Science master's combines theoretical computing with experimental and applied research.

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Leiden's Computer Science master's combines theoretical computing with experimental and applied research. Its Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science supports specialisations including computing systems, artificial intelligence and data science.

Selected programme examples

  1. MSc Computer Science — Leiden, Faculty of Science; 120 EC, two years full-time
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Academic eligibility

  • A relevant research-university bachelor's equivalent to a Dutch Computer Science degree, normally including at least 90 EC of computing courses/projects.
  • A related degree with at least 60 EC may require the prescribed pre-master's; the Admissions Board decides equivalence and any bridging route.

Admission planning

Language requirements

  • IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with each component at least 6.0, or an accepted equivalent; results must be within two years.
  • The Education specialisation additionally has Dutch requirements and should not be treated as an entirely English research route.

Admission planning

Study intakes

  • September and February starts are listed; confirm the selected specialisation and research plan.

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Application deadlines

  • Applicants needing a visa/residence permit must apply before 1 April for September or 15 October in the preceding year for February.
  • The February 2027 visa-applicant deadline has therefore passed.
  • Applicants not needing immigration arrangements have different dates.
  • Scholarship applications can close substantially earlier.

Admission planning

International tuition

  • For 2027/28, Computer Science institutional tuition for non-EU/EEA students is €23,300 per academic year, not for the full two-year master's.
  • Nationality, residence status or a cooperation agreement can change classification.
  • Living costs, insurance, study equipment and other applicable charges are extra; later-year tuition is not fixed by this quotation.

Admission planning

Scholarships & funding

  • Eligible excellent non-EEA/non-EFTA applicants can apply separately for the highly competitive Leiden University Excellence Scholarship for September entry.
  • The current deadline is 1 December 2026; academic and scholarship applications must both be submitted in time.
  • Awards are partial tuition contributions, not full living-cost funding, and eligibility does not guarantee selection.

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  3. Plan the practical details

    Check your intake, application deadline, total budget, offer conditions and immigration steps.

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What can international students study at Leiden University?

Selected programme options include MSc Computer Science — Leiden, Faculty of Science; 120 EC, two years full-time. These are selected examples, not the full catalogue. Availability, campus, mode of study and teaching language must be checked for your intake.

What are the entry requirements for Leiden University?

A relevant research-university bachelor's equivalent to a Dutch Computer Science degree, normally including at least 90 EC of computing courses/projects. A related degree with at least 60 EC may require the prescribed pre-master's; the Admissions Board decides equivalence and any bridging route. IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with each component at least 6.0, or an accepted equivalent; results must be within two years. The Education specialisation additionally has Dutch requirements and should not be treated as an entirely English research route.

How much are international tuition fees at Leiden University?

For 2027/28, Computer Science institutional tuition for non-EU/EEA students is €23,300 per academic year, not for the full two-year master's. Nationality, residence status or a cooperation agreement can change classification. Living costs, insurance, study equipment and other applicable charges are extra; later-year tuition is not fixed by this quotation. Fees are not a university-wide average. Confirm the exact course, fee year, currency, deposit, extra charges and refund conditions before paying.

When is the application deadline for Leiden University?

Applicants needing a visa/residence permit must apply before 1 April for September or 15 October in the preceding year for February. The February 2027 visa-applicant deadline has therefore passed. Applicants not needing immigration arrangements have different dates. Scholarship applications can close substantially earlier. September and February starts are listed; confirm the selected specialisation and research plan. A semester start date is not an application closing date. Check scholarship and visa timelines separately.

Can Vidhyarthi Mithram guarantee admission or a scholarship?

No. Our team can help compare your academic profile with requirements, organise documents and explain application steps. Admission, funding and immigration decisions belong to the institution and responsible authorities.

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