Study Psychology in Leiden – Webster University Leiden

Study Psychology in Leiden, Netherlands

Webster University Leiden is the Dutch campus of Webster University, an American university based in St. Louis, Missouri, with campuses across Europe, Asia and Africa. The Leiden campus opened in 1983 and is located at Boommarkt in the centre of the old university city. Teaching follows the American model: small, international classes, close contact with faculty and a broad liberal arts foundation alongside the major.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is taught entirely in English. It combines the scientific foundations of psychology with a wide choice of perspectives, from biological and clinical psychology to development, cognition and social and cross-cultural psychology. Students who want a clinical focus can add an emphasis in mental health.

Accreditations of Webster University Leiden in the Netherlands

Is Webster University Leiden an accredited university? Yes. Webster University, including its Leiden campus, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the regional accrediting agencies recognised by the U.S. Department of Education. The Leiden campus has also been awarded the NRTO quality label of the Dutch Council for Training and Education. Webster University Leiden holds this accreditation and awards its American Bachelor of Arts on this basis.

• Psychology (BA): Four-year American Bachelor of Arts, taught in English. Core courses in statistics, research methods and the history and systems of psychology, plus courses across biological, clinical and counselling, developmental, cognitive and social and cross-cultural psychology. Optional emphasis in mental health. Leads to careers in human resources, education, social services and mental health settings, or to a master's degree.

The programme runs over four years of full-time study. The psychology major comprises 39 credit hours (48 with the mental health emphasis): Introduction to Psychology, Measurement and Statistics, Research Methods and a senior capstone on the history, philosophy and systems of psychology, plus courses across five perspectives – biological, clinical and counselling, lifespan development, learning and cognition, and social and cross-cultural psychology. General education courses and electives complete the degree. Webster Leiden also offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a stronger research focus.

Webster Leiden works with rolling admissions, so there is no single deadline. Applicants who need a visa apply at least three months before the start, EU citizens and residence-permit holders at least one month before. You submit transcripts of the last three years of secondary school, an essay of 400 to 500 words, a letter of recommendation, a copy of your passport and proof of English (TOEFL 80 iBT or IELTS 6.0; waived after three years at an English-medium school). The minimum cumulative GPA is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. There is no numerus clausus.

Marcel or another experienced consultant on our team checks your profile and helps you put together a strong application. Book a free consultation.

Full-time undergraduate tuition for 2026/27 is 17,696 € per year (8,848 € per semester), textbooks included; the fee is the same for EU and non-EU students. Part-time and summer courses cost 545 € per credit hour. On admission you pay an enrolment deposit: 250 € for EU students, 1,000 € for non-EU students without a visa requirement and 8,000 € for students who need a visa. Lab fees of up to 100 € may apply. Merit- and need-based scholarships typically reduce tuition by 20 to 30 %.

Budget approx. 850 to 1,250 € per month for living costs in Leiden, depending mainly on your rent. The campus offers studio apartments in its own residence within walking distance.

Graduates receive an American Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from an HLC-accredited university. The degree is a solid basis for a master's in psychology, counselling or a related field in Europe, North America or elsewhere; how a foreign bachelor's is assessed for a specific master's programme depends on the country and the university.

The BA qualifies you for careers in human resources and training, education, public affairs, social services and mental health settings. Clinical or psychotherapeutic practice requires a master's degree and the regulated training route of the country where you want to work, which we are happy to explain in your consultation.

Leiden is a historic university town in the province of South Holland, home to the oldest university in the Netherlands and known for its canals, museums and lively student life. The city lies between Amsterdam and The Hague: The Hague is about 15 minutes away by train and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport about 20 minutes, which makes Leiden an easy base for travel across Europe.