Leiden University is a public university situated in Leiden, South Holland in the Leiden metropolitan region. It is a mid-sized university with an enrollment of 33,000 students. Admissions is moderately competitive because Leiden's acceptance rate is around 63%. Majors offered are Law, Political Science, Medicine, Archaeology, and Humanities. The six-year graduation rate is high, and Leiden graduates have a median starting salary of around INR 45,50,000 (at ten years post-graduation, converted from $55,000 median income).
The University of Amsterdam is a well-known public university in Amsterdam, North Holland in the Amsterdam metropolitan region. It is a very large school with a student enrollment of 41,000 students. It is a selective institution because the overall acceptance rate is around 50%, but for international students, it can be as low as 4% for highly competitive programs. Popular majors include Social Sciences, Economics, Business, Communication, and Law. The six-year graduation rate is robust, and Amsterdam graduates still have a median starting salary of around INR 53,30,000 (equivalent to $64,400 median income ten years after graduation).
| Leiden University | University of Amsterdam | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.8 Out of 10 | 6.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 70 Times Higher Education 2026 # 119 QS World University 2026 # 73 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 53 QS World University 2026 # 62 Times Higher Education 2026 # 55 QS World University 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 376 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 65 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 173 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 36 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -13 PG Programs -136 Doctorate Programs -2 | UG Programs -11 PG Programs -99 |
| Acceptance Rate | 63.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 19087.66 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19882.98 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 1006 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 13200 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19272 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 925 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | 76% of the graduates find jobs within two months of graduation. The programs and their average salary are as follows: Bachelor in science: $38,000 Master in Science: $46,000 LLM: $76,000 Master (other): $61,000 | The University of Amsterdam has a team for career and employability that has won an award for their dedication to supporting the student throughout the process of placement. The university hosts fairs and events to provide students with a job. The students in the final year gain more work experience and are also placed in research institutions, museums, or private conservation studios. Avverage Salaries by Degree:
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| application requirements | Submit official transcripts of all previous education Submit English language proficiency test scores Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts of all previous education Submit English language proficiency test scores Submit resume |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 6.9/10 Read 3 reviews | 7.7/10 Read 10 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 152 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 # 77 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 45 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 # 72 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 90/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -26550 |
| application dates | Oct 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For February 2026 Intake) Apr 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) | Feb 1, 2026 (Scholarship Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Apr 1, 2026 (Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Aug 31, 2026 (Fee Payment Deadline for 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Leiden University | University of Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1575 | 1632 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 43% Male, 57% Female | 0% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | The University has seven faculties and a campus in both Leiden and The Hague. | The University of Amsterdam has always been housed in old and new buildings scattered throughout the capital. The university lies within the largest megalopolis in the Netherlands, the Randstad. The campuses are scattered across city center, science center, academic medical center and Roeterseiland campus. |
| Library | Library holdings include approximately 5,200,000 volumes, 1,000,000 e-books, 70,000 e-journals, 2,000 current paper journals, 60,000 Oriental and Western manuscripts, 500,000 letters, 100,000 maps, 100,000 prints, 12,000 drawings and 300,000 photographs. | The university has libraries across its different campuses. The libraries provide various services to the students like study rooms, journals, e-books, databases etc. It normally houses around 750,000 items owned by the libraries of all the UVA schools, including Law, Health Sciences, and Darden. |
| Campus Life | Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and enjoys an excellent reputation built up over more than four centuries. Students receive a truly international experience with almost 4.000 internationals students and 120 nationalities. The university is a small-scale academic community where there is room for personal contact and regard for talents and opportunities. The university community maps out a learning path that suits you and your ambitions. If you’re keen to venture further afield, our global network of over 600 universities and partnerships will make studying abroad a truly unforgettable experience. Leiden University offers intensive support and advice to ensure your studies go smoothly and successfully. | The University of Amsterdam is a modern university with a rich history, providing a high-quality education in inspiring surroundings. The University is a world-class centre for research and teaching, and is committed to helping students think in an original, independent and academic way. The University is conveniently located in the heart of Amsterdam, overlooking the famous canals. Surrounded by history and culture, and within a short walk of the shops and restaurants in the city centre, the University of Amsterdam is the perfect base to enrich your student experience. The University of Amsterdam has many student associations catering to a variety of student needs including social clubs, career and study societies and cultural and sporting societies. ISN is an organisation run by Dutch students for international students studying in Amsterdam. Their goal is to optimize the social-cultural integration of international students into Dutch society. They organize weekly activities for students, provide information on housing and work, run a coaching and mentoring system and publish a magazine all about (student) life in Amsterdam. |
| Hostel | #Studio rent/month - $606 | #Accommodation rent per month - $925 |
| Famous Alumni | Nobel laureates associated with Leiden include: the physicists Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi and Paul Ehrenfest. Also: Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff, Johannes Diderik van der Waals, Tobias Asser, Albert Szent-Györgyi, Igor Tamm, Jan Tinbergen, Nikolaas Tinbergen, Tjalling Koopmans, Nicolaas Bloembergen and Niels Jerne. | Khadija Arib (Dutch politician), Pim Fortuyn (businessman, author), Jesse Klaver (politician), Thierry Baudet (politician) |
| City Life | Leiden is a lively university city that’s brimming with history and boasts a student culture that’s tangible just about everywhere. Whether you are a member of a student association or not, Leiden’s vibrant city centre is the place to be if you want to relax or socialise. Enjoy a cool beer near the canal at Annie's bar, order a legendary Rapen'burger at Barrera or let your feet do the talking on the dance floor in Odessa.Parties are, of course, an inherent part of being a student, but whatever you do make sure you also see the wealth of sights Leiden has to offer. Its ancient canals, intimate courtyards and fabulous landmarks, such as the Pieterskerk, the Academy Building and the Fortress make Leiden pure eye candy. There is no shortage of events in Leiden. Don’t miss ‘Leidens Ontzet’, for example, a festive two-day event that celebrates the relief of the city during Spanish rule of the Netherlands. And naturally, as a student, you’ll definitely want to see the great performances given in student rooms as part of the ‘Stukafest’. Leiden is a winning combination of being small and fun, yet big in character as a student city. It’s also conveniently close to cities like Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam, which can all be reached by train in just 30 minutes. | Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is situated in the heart of Europe. It is a real cosmopolitan capital and one of Europe's most beautiful, with an enormous number of attractions. Students have voted Amsterdam the 5th best city in the world to live in. It is also one of the safest capital cities in Europe. The city has around 850,000 inhabitants and is voted as the 11th best city to live in. There are around 50 world famous galleries and 16,000 performances per year. Bicycle is the most popular form of transportation. Amsterdam has more than 30 parks and public gardens. Various festivals are held across the city over the year. |
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Leiden University vs University of Amsterdam
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Amsterdam is ranked consistently among the global #53 in QS and 58th in Times Higher Education with specific strength in Social Sciences, Humanities, Psychology, and Communication Studies, frequently appearing in the world top 20–30 by subject. Leiden University ranks #119 in QS and 73rd in Times Higher Education with designated excellence in Law, Politics, Medicine, History, and Archaeology. Both are research-intensive universities, but University of Amsterdam has a tendency to push ahead in breadth and global visibility, with Leiden having a reputation for subject specialism leadership.
General Information
Leiden University, established in 1575, is the Netherlands' oldest university with approximately 34,000 students. It has a classic scholarly culture, with emphasis on research, government, and humanities, distributed across Leiden and The Hague campuses. The University of Amsterdam, established in 1632, is the biggest university in the Netherlands with almost 40,000 students, a wide variety of programs in a metropolitan international setting within Amsterdam's city center.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both universities are very selective, especially for English-language bachelor's and master's programs.Leiden's acceptance rate is around 63% and University of Amsterdam overall acceptance rate is around 50%, but for international students, it can be as low as 4% for highly competitive programs. Admission typically demands good performance at high school (comparable to Dutch VWO), with extra requirements for courses considered competitive such as Law, Psychology, or Medicine. University of Amsterdam tends to receive a higher number of international students applying as a result of its international reputation and city-based location, so access to sought-after courses is marginally more challenging. Leiden's admissions prioritize academic intensity and drive, with specific tracks in governance, law, and international relations.
Research Impact & Facilities
Leiden University is well known for its research focus, especially in law, governance, international studies, medicine, and life sciences, with close relationships to institutions in The Hague (political and legal hub). It has top-notch research institutes such as the Leiden Observatory. The University of Amsterdam boasts a more wide-ranging research portfolio, dominating social sciences, digital humanities, AI, and economics. University of Amsterdam enjoys state-of-the-art labs, libraries, and Amsterdam-based business, media, and cultural collaborations.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are public institutions and their tuition rates are comparable: EU/EEA students pay controlled fees (approximately €2,500–€4,000 per year), and international students pay €10,000–€20,000 depending on the course. There are limited but available scholarships—University of Amsterdam has the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship and Orange Tulip, whereas Leiden has the Leiden Excellence Scholarship and assistance through Dutch government schemes. Overall living costs are greater in Amsterdam compared to Leiden.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
The University of Amsterdam graduates are successful in business, media, social sciences, research, and international organizations due to its city location and extensive alumni networks. Leiden graduates succeed in law, diplomacy, governance, history, and academia and occupy senior positions in international courts, NGOs, and political institutions. Graduates of the University of Amsterdam tend to find broader international corporate careers, whereas Leiden graduates are renowned for political and legal excellence.
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