Politics, Society and Economy of Asia (MA) Master Discover the world at Leiden University Specialisation of Asian Studies (MA) The MA in Politics, Society and Economy of Asia takes a social science approach to the study of one or more countries or regions in modern or contemporary Asia. Key knowledge of Asia Learn about the most important forces at play in Asia today. This master's offers you both the flexibility to define your focus and an expansive curriculum of relevant topics from which to choose. Select your country or region, and explore it from diverse disciplinary perspectives often using original source materials including modern history, sociology, development economics, media studies, political science, international relations and anthropology. Develop your language skills 1
Many organisations today rely on translators to communicate with foreigh organisations. Knowledge of an Asian language is highly valued by global organisations and can pave the way to a host of new career opportunities. During your master's, you have the option of taking intensive language courses in a modern-day language including Japanese, Indonesian, Chinese, Korean or Hindi. Learn from internationally-acclaimed scholars Expertise on Asia at Leiden University is internationally renowned, which means that you learn from scholars who are at the leading edge of the research in their field. Small classes allow for direct contact with these lecturers and the opportunity to share and debate your ideas with classmates. At Leiden, every individual counts, which is why all students receive one-on-one support and mentoring throughout their studies. Why Leiden University Leiden University offers ambitious students the latest knowledge and the freedom to develop their own area of expertise. Top-ranked university Leiden University's Faculty of Humanities consistently ranks among the top 30 humanities faculties worldwide by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Here, you can access resources found nowhere else in the world, such as Leiden University's famous collections of Asian artefacts; learn from researchers whose expertise spans all corners of Asia; and choose from an expansive curriculum that includes specialised subjects not available elsewhere. Close, individual tuition At Leiden, we take a student-centred approach to learning. Teaching takes the form of smallscale lectures, seminars and tutorials, where every student has the opportunity to participate in debates and share their ideas. A high level of focused attention from lecturers also keeps you engaged and on track to meet your goals. A flexible programme format means that whatever your interests or career goals, our faculty members can help you customise the programme to meet these requirements. 2
An excellent start to your career Our reputation as a centre of excellence means that your qualification is respected by organisations worldwide. Our graduates enjoy successful careers thanks to their broad and global mind-sets, specialised and in-depth knowledge, and strong critical-thinking skills. The success of our alumni speaks for itself: our graduates are equipped to solve the challenges facing society now and in the future. The Leiden Experience About the programme The one-year master's in Politics, Society and Economy of Asia, a specialisation of Leiden University s master's in Asian Studies, offers a large and varied selection of subjects and the freedom to choose the areas on which you will focus. The curriculum of this programme consists of compulsory core courses, electives, a research seminar and an MA thesis. The first semester consists of the core courses Introduction to Asian Studies and Thesis and Methods Class, both of which are compulsory for all students of the MA in Asian Studies. You must also choose two or more electives specific to the Politics, Society and Economy of Asia specialisation. Each of your electives are grounded in one of Asia s regions and introduce the issues, debates and methodologies of a discipline within modern Asian studies. These disciplines include anthropology, media and cultural studies, sociology, development economics, politics, and international relations. You will also participate in a thesis research seminar class linked to one of your electives. During your second semester, you will choose additional elective courses. You will be writing your thesis in conjunction with one of these second-semester electives. If you start in the spring semester (February) you will take the Thesis and Methods Classes in your first semester and Introduction to Asian Studies in your second semester. 3
Lectures Seminars Tutorials Self-study Internship/Study abroad options Thesis Exams Peer feedback and assessment Essays, reports Oral presentations Detailed programme For a detailed programme, see the e-prospectus. Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may slightly differ. Florian Schneider Researcher and University Lecturer "During projects, I take the time to talk to my students, ask questions about their topic, and give as much detailed feedback as I can on their writing. Putting a large research project together is a lot of work, and it requires skills that most of us don t have when we start our graduate studies." A rewarding experience "What I find important is that students realize that it can be a tough journey, but that if you are willing to keep revising and improving your work, then it is also extremely rewarding to see all the pieces finally come together into a unique piece of work in the end." Turning course work into a game "I believe it is important to give students control over their own learning experience. We learn best when we find a subject fascinating, not because attendance is mandatory or because a final exam is forcing us to 4
study. For this reason, in one of my classes my students and I have turned the course work into a game: you get to pick your tasks and decide how much time you want to invest in the task, and you receive experience points in return, giving you the chance to level up until you have the grade you yourself want. I ve found that this really motivates participants, because they are the ones in control of their education. To me, that s what a university education is all about." Mark Rutgers Dean Many of our master s students discover the quality of our programmes only after they join us. In the Netherlands, selfpromotion is not a big part of our culture, yet Leiden University s Humanities Faculty ranks alongside the most prestigious universities in the world, and is the established leader in continental Europe. What can our students expect from this programme? An education on par with the world s best, with teaching by top researchers. Alumni: close-knit global community Your graduation from a master s programme marks a new chapter in your relationship with Leiden University. Our alumni community is highly active in terms of network-building and development. They are valued by the university, and we support them with personal and professional development and free use of our facilities such as the Leiden University Library. This close-knit global community offers life-long support for all our former students in terms of reaching goals, maintaining friendships and expanding networks. Research: encouraging you to think beyond your own discipline Some of the most high-profile humanities research produced today is conducted at Leiden University s Humanities Faculty. These faculty members are among a handful worldwide who can lay claim to such a depth and breadth of academic expertise. One example is our centre of excellence on Native American cultures, languages and history a research group that is one of the best in the world. At Leiden, we can offer students expertise in most niche areas of interest. Our faculty members often work together across disciplines, and encourage students to think beyond the limits of their own discipline, which is where the future of innovative research lies. 5
Careers: opportunities to develop your talent Decisions made during your studies have a big impact on your future. We offer you many opportunities to develop your talents both within and outside of the classroom, including internships, study trips abroad, student committees, and minors. These opportunities help define your objectives for after your studies, and equip you with additional skills and experience. Extra-curricular Get the most out of your studies at Leiden University by taking part in our extracurricular activities. Asian Studies study associations The Asian Studies department has three study associations related to the BA and MA programmes in Asian Studies: Siitaa (South and Southeast Asian Studies), SVS (Chinese Studies), and LVSJK Tanuki (Japanese and Korean Studies). These associations organise educational and social activities such as parties and film nights, lectures, workshops and much more. Joining a study association is a great way to get to know fellow students and teachers outside of the academic setting. Leiden Leadership Programme Are you interested in developing your leadership potential? The Leiden Leadership Programme (LLP) is an Honours Programme specifically developed for ambitious master's students at Leiden University and the Delft University of Technology who recognise the importance of leadership abilities. The LLP offers in-depth training sessions, assessments, seminars, and the creation of a Personal Leadership Roadmap a five-year plan for reaching and developing your leadership potential. Career prospects 6
Create a world of opportunities with a master's degree from Leiden University. What our graduates do Graduates of the MA in Politics, Society and Economy of Asia can offer expertise that is highly relevant to many organisations today. A selection of roles in which expertise on Asia is desirable include professions in journalism, publishing, international trade, marketing, business, public relations, education, development aid, and in government, multinationals and NGOs. Some of the occupations of our graduates include: Account manager at a translation agency Project manager at a trading and consultancy company in India Owner of a consultancy firm Consultant at a defence and security company Communications officer at an animation studio in Japan Relations management officer at an organisation promoting internationalisation in education Editor at an academic publishing house Content editor at a booking website Research Master's If you aspire to pursue a PhD position or career as a researcher outside of academia you can apply for the two-year Research Master's in Asian Studies on completion of the programme. A Leiden University degree Leiden University master's graduates are sought-after employees at (inter)national organisations. Our graduates are known for their combination of robust academic training, in-depth and relevant knowledge, and critical, multidisciplinary approach to problemsolving. Omid Anwari Graduated in Politics, Society and Economy of Asia (MA Asian Studies) 7
"I didn t want to limit myself during my studies. So alongside my BA programme I followed courses in journalism and business studies. During my master s programme in Asian Studies I did a communication internship at the Municipality of Almere and I also did the Leiden Leadership Programme. I learned about how to lead, motivate and reward people, and how to stand in front of a group. And these skills are precisely what I need now." Understanding various cultures, traditions and languages "I really enjoy teaching Dutch to children in the international access class at the Da Vinci College. They have just arrived in the Netherlands and can t yet attend the regular classes. My degree helps me understand the various cultures, traditions and languages of my pupils the majority of them come from the Middle East. I myself came from Afghanistan to the Netherlands at the age of 13, so I know what if feels like to be in their shoes. And they in mine. So the circle is complete." The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA Asian Studies. In which sector do students find jobs 15.9 % Education 10.9 % ICT 10.9 % Research 7.9 % Consulting 5.0 % Banking 5.0 % Communication 44.6 % Miscellaneous How successful are students at finding a job 63.0 % found a job within two months 68.0 % found their first job at academic level 79.0 % held a position at academic level when the study was carried out Career preparation 8
Our goal is to prepare you to make a difference in your future career. Knowledge and skills At Leiden University, we give you the tools to become a powerful critical thinker with a strong and relevant knowledge base. Graduates of the master's in Asian Studies understand the key academic approaches taken within Asian Studies across multiple disciplines, and how to use these concepts to conduct quality research. They have a wealth of practical and professional skills. These qualities amount to a highly attractive package for future employers. Humanities Career Service Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at Humanities Career Service provide all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV. Humanities Career Event Each year, the Faculty of Humanities organises a Humanities Careers Event. This all-day event is your chance to learn everything you can about how to find the job you want and successfully attain it. The event includes workshops on a wide range of topics as well as opportunities to network with alumni and potential employers and attain tips, information and potential job leads. Check out the video of the Humanities Career Event 2017! <!--cke_bookmark_8860s--& amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;<!-- cke_bookmark_8860e--> Admission and Application Do you want to apply for this master s programme at Leiden University? Please check our admission and application information. 9
Admission requirements Required documents Application and deadlines Tuition fees Admission requirements Do you want to apply for this master s programme at Leiden University? Please check our admission and application information. Diploma requirements A bachelor s degree from a university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic bachelor s degree, in Humanities or Social Sciences. Applicants should have completed components at the bachelor s level equivalent to at least 30 credits on the politics, society and/or economy of one or more Asian countries or regions. Students who have a Bachelor s degree in Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, or South and Southeast Asian Studies from Leiden University are always eligible for admission and need to apply through Studielink only. Applicants with a Bachelor s degree in International Studies from Leiden University who have completed all area courses for either East Asia or South and Southeast Asia and wrote their BA Thesis and/or completed optional courses worth 10 EC on either East Asia or South and Southeast Asia will be admitted. They do however need to submit an online application. Applicants with a bachelor s degree from a university of applied sciences (HBO) or an academic bachelor s degree from a research university who do not meet the entry requirements may be eligible for an individual bridging programme. To be eligible for a bridging programme, the applicant s BA degree must be within a relevant regional or disciplinary specialisation. Please contact the bridging programme s Coordinator of Studies for more information. Language requirements 10
Sufficient command of English (IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 100 (internet-based) or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)). For a list of exceptions, see the website on language requirements. Exams accepted IELTS: academic test only TOEFL Cambridge English Exam Cambridge English Exam equivalences Programme requiring IELTS 6.5 = Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE), with a minimum grade of C Programme requiring IELTS 7.0 or higher = Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) Other exam criteria Exam results may not be more than two years old. Institutional exams, such as ITP-TOEFL, cannot be accepted. Chinese students who need a Nuffic certificate should take either an IELTS or a TOEFL IBT exam. Exemptions You may be considered exempt from submitting one of the above-mentioned English exam results if: You have an (English-taught) International Baccalaureate. You completed your secondary or higher education in the USA, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada). At the discretion of the Board of Admissions, you are a Dutch student with preuniversity education (VWO) level English. 11
In exceptional cases, students who otherwise qualify for an exemption but whose application documents cast doubt on their English proficiency may be asked to sit an English exam. Submitting your exam results All English exam results must be uploaded to the online application system. Your English exam results must be checked for authenticity by the Admissions Office before the deadline for applying for a visa/residence permit (if applicable), or before the start date of your programme. To make this possible, please do the following: TOEFL exam: tell ETS to send your original results report to Leiden University Admissions Office institution code 0504. Cambridge certificate: send your ID number and your secret number (check the Candidate Results Online service) to the Leiden University Admissions Office. IELTS: a scanned exam result is sufficient - no further steps will be required. Required documents Along with your application, you will need to submit the documents below. Required application documents Please upload a copy of the passport page(s) with your personal details and photograph. If you come from the EU/EER, you may also send a copy of your identity card. If you are already staying in the Netherlands with a Dutch residence permit for study or for another purpose, please upload a copy of both sides of your Dutch residence permit. Your CV must be written in English. Other than this, no standardised format or template is required. Your CV should clearly outline your educational and professional history up until the present date, as well as basic personal facts. Please provide the average mark (Grade 12
Point Average) in your bachelor, calculated until March 15, 2018 (for start in September) or September 15, 2018 (for start in February 2019). A personal statement must be submitted explaining why you want to follow the programme, why you have chosen to do so at Leiden University, and what makes you think you are a good candidate. The statement should be between 700 and 1,500 words. Digital copies are required initially. Once you have been admitted, we will tell you how to submit certified copies to the Admissions Office. Documents must be in the original language and accompanied by official translations if they are not in English, Dutch, German or French. If you have not yet completed your study programme, state your expected graduation date and submit copies of all transcripts obtained to date. If you are applying for an LLM Advanced Studies programme: all documents must be available in English (or translated into English). You can apply to a programme before you obtain the results of your language exam (if you already have your results you can upload them directly in our online portal). If you are admitted, it will be on the condition that these results will meet the required levels specified. Always check first if your programme requires you to send in letters of recommendation. If you need to submit more than one letter, at least one letter must be from an academic staff member. The letter must be printed on letterhead paper, signed and bearing the full contact details of the referee (for verification purposes). Your referee should describe your skills, qualities and competencies. Recommendation letters - submission information Letters of recommendation can be scanned and uploaded as part of your online application. Alternatively, your referee can send them directly to us, making sure your name and application number are clearly indicated. By post: Leiden University Admissions Office 13
Gravensteen Pieterskerkhof 6 2311 SR Leiden The Netherlands Digitally via our contact form Additionally please complete the attached format and upload this in your application. Two letters of recommendation This programme requires two letters of recommendation: At least one letter must be from an academic member of staff. The letter must be printed on letterhead paper, signed and bearing the full contact details of the referee (for verification purposes). Your referee should describe your skills, qualities and competencies. Letters of recommendation can be scanned and uploaded as part of your online application. Alternatively, your referee can send them directly to us, making sure your name and application number are clearly indicated. By post: Leiden University Admissions Office Gravensteen Pieterskerkhof 6 2311 SR Leiden The Netherlands Digitally via our contact form Additionally please complete the attached format and upload this in your application. Questions? If you have any further questions, you can look them up at the Student FAQ page. 14
Application and deadlines If you would like to apply for this programme, please check the guidelines below. If your Leiden University bachelor s degree grants you automatic admission you can register directly in Studielink. Studielink will be open for applications from 1 October. Learn more about registering in Studielink. If your diploma doesn t grant you automatic admission to the programme, you will need to submit an online application. Application deadlines Starting in September If you need a visa, residence permit or accommodation via the Leiden University Housing Office, the deadline is 1 April 2018. If you do not need a visa, residence permit or accommodation via the Leiden University Housing Office, the deadline is 15 June 2018. Starting in February If you need a visa, residence permit or accommodation via the Leiden University Housing Office, the deadline is 15 October 2017. If you do not need a visa, residence permit or accommodation via the Leiden University Housing Office, the deadline is 1 December 2017. Apply early! 15
If you are required to take an additional entrance exam or submit additional documentation, you should apply as early as possible. If you apply at the last minute, you risk missing deadlines, such as those for accommodation or visa applications. Late applications will only be considered in exceptional cases, and at the discretion of the faculty Board of Admissions. Tuition fees The tuition fee for a programme depends on a number of factors. Your nationality, study programme and previous Dutch higher education qualifications will all determine the tuition fees you are required to pay. The tuition fees for the academic year 2017-2018 are: Dutch, EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students: 2,006 per year Non-EU/EEA students 16,600 per year Second Dutch master s programme: 14,900 per year More information about tuition fees The tuition fee for this programme is 2,006 for the academic year 2017-2018 (statutory fee). This tuition fee applies if this is not your second master s programme and you are a national of the Netherlands, or one of the following countries: Austria Latvia Belgium Liechtenstein Bulgaria Lithuania Croatia Luxembourg 16
Cyprus Malta Czech Republic Norway Denmark Poland Estonia Portugal Finland Romania France Slovakia Germany Slovenia Greece Spain Hungary Suriname Iceland Sweden Ireland Switzerland Italy United Kingdom The fee applies for both full-time and part-time study. The tuition fee for this programme is 16,600 for the academic year 2017-2018 (institutional tuition fee). 17
If you are not a national of an EEA country, Suriname or Switzerland you must generally pay an institutional tuition fee. However if, on the basis of your Dutch residence permit, you are eligible for student finance from the Dutch education agency (DUO), you are entitled to pay a statutory tuition fee. Information on qualifying residence permits can be found in the DUO nationality chart. This fee applies for both full and part-time study. Please note: If you study at Leiden University via a cooperation agreement the fees stated in the agreement apply. The tuition fee for this programme is 14,900 for the academic year 2017-2018 (institutional tuition fee). If you would like to enroll in a second Dutch master s programme, you will generally have to pay an institutional tuition fee. This tuition fee also applies if you obtained a Dutch Bachelor s, doctoraal, ingenieurs or HBO (Bachelor s in professional education) diploma after 1991, and you are a national of the Netherlands or another EEA country: Austria Latvia Belgium Liechtenstein Bulgaria Lithuania Croatia Luxembourg Cyprus Malta Czech Republic Norway 18
Denmark Poland Estonia Portugal Finland Romania France Slovakia Germany Slovenia Greece Spain Hungary Suriname Iceland Sweden Ireland Switzerland Italy United Kingdom Exceptions Did you commence a bachelor s programme at Leiden University before 2010, and will you continue directly onto a second master s programme in the year you complete your bachelor s programme, or during the following year? If so, you are entitled to pay the statutory tuition fee in accordance with a transitional ruling (also see Exceptions ). Please note! Other fees apply for students who are not nationals of an EEA country, Suriname or Switzerland. Please refer to the information in the section Non-EU/EEA nationals. 19
Are you unsure whether you have to pay a statutory tuition fee or an institutional fee? Consult our tuition fee flowchart for second master s programmes. EEA countries, Suriname or Switzerland In some cases, nationals of EEA countries, Suriname or Switzerland may be permitted to pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee for their second degree programme. If your second degree programme is in the field of healthcare or teacher training you are entitled to pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee. If you begin your second bachelor s or master s programme whilst you are still studying your first bachelor's or master s programme you may pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee for your second degree programme on condition that you remain continuously registered as a student. If you start a second bachelor s or master's programme at Leiden University in the academic year directly following the year in which you obtained your first bachelor s or master's degree at Leiden University you may pay institutional tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee. Less than 45 EC If you plan to study a pre-master or conversion programme after completing a bachelor s programme, you must pay 33,- per study credit (EC) if the programme is less than 45 ECs. 45 EC or more For programmes of more than 45 ECs you must pay the statutory tuition fee. If the premaster or conversion programme is more than 60 ECs and therefore longer than one year or if you will study courses that are not part of your conversion programme, you must pay the institutional tuition fee for the programme in question (see Second Dutch master s programme ). These fees apply to students of all nationalities. 20
Student life Your time at Leiden is about more than just studying. Some of your best experiences will stem from being a part of our lively and diverse student community, as well as from life in the beautiful city of Leiden. Life in Leiden Picturesque and the perfect size, Leiden is the ideal place to spend your university days. The Faculty of Humanities is located within the heart of the city, where dozens of cafes, shops and bars line its historic laneways and leafy canals. Small enough to run into familiar faces, but big enough to keep offering surprises you will treasure your time at Leiden. And for adventures further afield, the major cities of The Hague and Amsterdam are a short train ride away, along with Schiphol Airport, which is just half an hour away by train. Our study and student associations organise a huge variety of social, cultural, and study events to keep you busy all year round. You can also join the University Sports Centre, which offers scheduled group sports and fitness classes, amongst other activities. Welcome and orientation programme In August and February each year, Leiden University hosts the English-language Orientation Week Leiden (OWL), which welcomes both international and Dutch students. The OWL is an excellent way to get to know Leiden University, the city, and other students. Study associations Leiden University s Faculty of Humanities has a number of study associations run by students and related to a particular department or programme. Study associations organise social activities such as informal gatherings, sports events, and parties, as well as studyrelated activities such as excursions and study trips. The study associations related to Asian Studies are: SVS (Studievereniging Sinologie) for Chinese Studies. Contact via bestuur@svsleiden. nl. Siitaa for South Asian Studies and Southeast Asian Studies. Contact via siitaa. leiden@gmail.com. 21
Tanuki for Japanese Studies and Korean Studies. Contact via bestuur@tanuki.nl. International Student Associations Leiden has several student organisations that specifically cater for international students. These associations organise regular social events and activities that help create the strong sense of community that exists within our international student body. The main two organisations are: International Student Network (ISN) ISN Leiden is an international student organisation which hosts a range of activities and programmes. They also have a buddy programme which provides new students with the right support to assimilate into Leiden and the university. AEGEE Leiden AEGEE is a leading European student association with sister organisations in over 40 countries across Europe. AEGEE organises many activities in Leiden, from dinners and pool nights to boat trips and guest lectures. For an overview of all of our student associations, please visit our Student assocations page. Humanities Master s Buddy Programme The Humanities Master s Buddy Programme has been set up by the Faculty of Humanities to help all students who are new to the university to integrate quickly and easily into university life. Through the programme you will learn everything you need to know about the university, the student community, and the practical side of life in Leiden. Information activities Come and meet us at the Leiden University Master s Open Day! About our Master s Open Day Are you thinking about joining a master s programme at Leiden University? Come and visit our Master s Open Day! This event is your opportunity to learn everything you need to know about our master s programmes and how they can help you reach your goals. Attend 22
presentations, meet our lecturers, learn about the careers of our alumni and hear first-hand the experiences of students and graduates on life at Leiden University. Jelle and Rick: The main reasons we re visiting the Master s Open Day is to talk to students and recent alumni. The website gives you a lot of information, but talking to students gives us a much better idea of what it s really like to study this degree. 23
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Sophie: I came to the Master s Day because I have some questions that I couldn t find answers to via the site. In my bachelor s I am already specialising in North America, so this master s is a good match. And next year, in the first semester, I ll be going to Boston! 25
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Luuk: Today I want to find out what it s like to be doing a master s, and what the real focus of the programme is. I ve just been looking at International Relations, because I really like the dynamics of the programme. It focuses on current events, and I m particularly impressed with the international aspects of the master s, which I feel give it more weight. 27
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Nino and Elias: Nino: I m now doing a bachelor s in Assyriology, and I may want to do a master s in it too. We ve heard that studying here is real fun. We re from Italy but we love Holland and the Dutch. 29
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Dennis: Studying: pre-master s in Dutch Literature (Vrije Universiteit), master s in Philosophy (University of Amsterdam) Interested in: Literary Studies, Dutch Studies, Comparative Literature and Literary Theory Contact If you have a question, there are various ways to get in touch with us. The website and our Frequently Asked Questions are the quickest ways to find an answer to your questions. Questions about the Programme Coordinator of studies Dr. Guita Winkel Phone: +31 (0)71 527 2547 Email: stucomaas@hum.leidenuniv.nl Questions about the application procedure Student Affairs Front Office Phone: +31 (0)71 527 80 11 Email: Contact form Or visit their website Visiting address Leiden: Plexus Student Centre Kaiserstraat 25, ground floor 2311 GN Leiden Monday till Friday between 11.00 and 16.00, Tuesday 11.00 to 21.00. 31