Course overview
MA International Relations is a postgraduate (master's) course in law at Leiden University in Leiden, Netherlands. It takes 1 year, with intakes in September; February for some.
Leiden University is a public institution, ranked =119th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Read the full course description, modules and entry rules on the official course page.
Key highlights
| University | Leiden University (Public) |
|---|---|
| Location | Leiden, Netherlands |
| Course | MA International Relations |
| Level | Master's (postgraduate) |
| Subject area | Law |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Tuition per year | €22,900 (≈ ₹24.3 lakh) |
| Intakes | September; February for some |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.5 (no section below 6.0) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0 |
Interested in MA International Relations?A counsellor checks your eligibility and helps you apply, free of charge.
Fees and costs
Tuition for international students is €22,900 a year, about ₹24.3 lakh.
2027/28 institutional fee for non-EEA students (humanities and social sciences rate)
Living costs near the university
| Cost | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Non-EEA science master's tuition, 2027/28Humanities and social sciences master's €22,900 | €23,300per year | ≈ ₹24.7 lakh |
| Rent for a student roomLeiden and The Hague are mid-priced; rooms still go quickly before September | €450–900per month | ≈ ₹47,700 – ₹95,400 |
| Groceries and meals | €200–300per month | ≈ ₹21,200 – ₹31,800 |
| Health and liability insuranceDutch basic health insurance is required, at a higher cost, if you take a paid job | €80–120per month | ≈ ₹8,480 – ₹12,720 |
| Public transportMany students cycle, which keeps this low | €50–70per month | ≈ ₹5,300 – ₹7,420 |
| IND proof of funds for living costs, 2026The amount the IND expects students to have; about €13,570 a year | €1,131per month | ≈ ₹1.2 lakh |
Living costs for the Netherlands as a whole: €12,000–16,000 a year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Plan my monthly living costsEligibility
General entry requirements at Leiden University for master's courses. Some courses ask for more, so check the course page.
- A bachelor's degree in a related subject with the courses the programme lists.
- Apply through Leiden's online application and Studielink. For LExS you must apply for admission by 1 December 2026 for September 2027.
- Non-EU deadlines are usually between 1 December and 1 April depending on the programme; check yours.
- Your university applies for your entry visa (MVV) and residence permit on your behalf; you show proof of funds of €1,130.77 a month (IND, 2026).
English requirements
For this course: IELTS 6.5 (no section below 6.0) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0.
| Test | What the university asks for |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall with no section below 6.0 is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0. |
| TOEFL iBT | Accepted; minimum set by each programme. |
| Cambridge English | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency accepted by most programmes. |
Intakes
This course starts in: September; February for some.
Upcoming intakes and deadlines in the NetherlandsHow to apply
- Check the entry requirements and the deadline on the official course page.
- Take IELTS, PTE or the test the university accepts, if you need one.
- Prepare your documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters and CV.
- Apply on the university's application portal and pay any application fee.
- Accept your offer, meet any conditions and pay the deposit.
- Apply for your student visa for the Netherlands, then arrange accommodation.
Documents you'll need
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's) or bachelor's transcripts and degree certificate (master's)
- English test score (IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or another test the programme accepts)
- CV
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose
- One or two reference letters, where the programme asks for them
- GMAT or GRE score, only for programmes that ask for it
- Course descriptions or a list of courses, for programmes that check your prior knowledge
Scholarships
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Full-time master's starting in September, non-EEA
Value: €10,000, €15,000, €17,500, €18,500 or €19,000 off the tuition fee, for the whole programme
Results around the top 10% of your class. The deadline for September 2027 entry is 1 December 2026.
Official pageNL Scholarship
Non-EEA bachelor's and master's students at participating institutions
Value: €5,000, paid once in the first year (not a full scholarship)
For students who have not studied in the Netherlands before. Each participating university sets its own deadline and criteria.
Official pageErasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships
Joint master's run by European university groups
Value: Programme costs, travel and visa costs, and a monthly living allowance
Top applicants from any country. Applications usually open between October and January.
Official page
About Leiden University
Leiden University was founded in 1575 by William of Orange, as a reward to the city for resisting a Spanish siege. It is the oldest university in the Netherlands, and its alumni and staff include Albert Einstein (as a visiting professor), Rembrandt, Nobel laureates and many Dutch prime ministers and members of the royal family.
Leiden is a comprehensive research university with strengths in law, international relations, political science, Asian studies, archaeology, astronomy, life sciences, pharmacy and computer science. Its Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs and many law and politics programmes are based in The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government and of international courts.
Similar courses
Law courses at other universities in the Netherlands
- LLM International and European Union LawErasmus University Rotterdam1 year · €22,800 / year
- LLM International and European LawUniversity of Amsterdam1 year · €25,900 / year
- LLM European LawUtrecht University1 year · €22,000 / year
More courses at Leiden University
- MSc Computer Science2 years · €23,300 / year
- MSc Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence2 years · €23,300 / year
- MSc Statistics and Data Science2 years · €23,300 / year
- MSc ICT in Business and the Public Sector2 years · €23,300 / year
- MSc Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences2 years · €23,300 / year
- MSc Life Science and Technology2 years · €23,300 / year
FAQs
What is the fee for MA International Relations at Leiden University?
The tuition for international students is €22,900 a year (about ₹24.3 lakh). 2027/28 institutional fee for non-EEA students (humanities and social sciences rate). Fees usually rise each year, so check the course page before you apply.
How long is MA International Relations?
The course takes 1 year.
What English score do I need?
IELTS 6.5 (no section below 6.0) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0. Some universities also accept Class 12 English marks or other tests; confirm on the course page.
When can I start?
Intakes: September; February for some. Apply early: popular courses can fill up before the deadline.
Can Admission Mantra help me apply?
Yes. A counsellor checks your eligibility, helps you prepare your documents and statement of purpose, and guides you through the application and visa. The first conversation is free.
We researched this page on 23 Oct 2026 from the university's own pages. Fees, entry rules and intakes change every year; confirm them on the official course page before you apply. Listing a course doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents the university.
- Leiden University: MA International Relations (opens in a new tab)
- Leiden University: Evolutionary Biology tuition fee 2027-2028 (science rate) (opens in a new tab)
- Leiden University: European Union Studies tuition fee 2027-2028 (humanities and social sciences rate) (opens in a new tab)
- Leiden University: Computer Science (MSc) (opens in a new tab)
- Leiden University: Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (opens in a new tab)