Ranking for Computer Science & Electronics in Leiden University

Facts About Leiden University

Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is one of the most prominent universities in the country, given its outstanding academic reputation and association with the Dutch Royal Family. This public school is among the founding institutions of the League of European Research Universities, a member of the Coimbra Group, and a part of the 17 elite European universities comprising the Europaeum.

Leiden’s fields of study are organized into seven faculties—Archaeology, Law, Humanities, Governance and Global Affairs, Science, Medicine, and Social Sciences—and over 50 academic departments. Around 60 bachelor’s programs and more than 100 master’s degrees are also offered. Among these, the most popular courses include Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Law, Medicine, and Physical Sciences.

The university has two campuses—the first one being in Leiden and the second one found at The Hague—and over 40 research facilities. Its main campus is home to the country’s oldest botanical garden, eight museums, and several other plant observatories. Large medical centers can also be found on both campuses.

One of Leiden’s foremost attractions for students and researchers alike is its historic library system. Carrying over five million volumes and more than a million eBooks, the library houses the world’s largest collections on the Caribbean and Indonesia. It also boasts enormous compendiums of photographs, maps, drawings, and manuscripts.

Established in 1575 by William of Orange, leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spaniards, Leiden University came as a present to the city for its courageous defense against Spanish invaders. It stood as a symbol of freedom and a source of education and religious studies for Dutch citizens.

In modern times, Leiden has grown to become the place of study for over 30,000 students. It also employs more than 1,000 professors and well over 6,000 administrative personnel. The school has attracted some of the most historic personalities in science and art to attend, including philosopher Rene Descartes, artist Rembrandt, philosopher Baruch Spinoza, scientist Christiaan Huygens, and nuclear reactor inventor Enrico Fermi. Furthermore, members of the Dutch Royal Family, such as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Beatrix, are part of the school’s alumni. Meanwhile, Leiden’s faculty has amassed 16 Nobel Prizes and 23 Spinoza Prizes.

Preceded by a colorful history, Leiden intends to be a bastion of freedom intellectually and spiritually. It aims to maximize the impact of its teaching and research by training its students to critically assess global societal concerns. The school also leverages its membership with the League of European Research Universities to widen its learners’ scope of knowledge in research and education.