Leiden University

Leiden University or Universiteit Leiden (LEI) - public higher education institution in Netherlands.

Leiden University - Description

Founded in 1575, Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands. As reflected by its motto ‘Praesidium Libertatis’ (Bastion of Liberty), we have always been strongly committed to freedom of spirit, thought and expression. Over the years, this atmosphere of freedom of speech has proved an ideal environment for famous and outstanding scholars such as Descartes, Boerhaave, Einstein and several Nobel Laureates, to develop their theories. The Leiden experience is strongly characterized by our dedication to engage in and contribute to the demands and challenges of today’s globalised society. Our research-based education is traditionally innovative and multidisciplinary. Our students are motivated to be curious and to constantly question the essence of nature, the human mind and the complex interactions between their elements. They are offered the chance to develop their own talents and interests through a diverse range of academic opportunities and are encouraged to excel through participation in honours and research programmes.

Description of Leiden University

Brief statement/description of institution Leiden University (founded in 1575) is one of Europe’s foremost international research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts as well as for functions outside academia. The University has approximately 24,500 students (from 110 countries) and 5,500 staff members (including the academic staff of the Leiden University Medical Center). The University offers a varied range of 46 bachelor's and 73 master's programmes, and highly diverse PhD tracks as well as various interdisciplinary minors. In addition, Leiden University has (in the Honours Academy) a Pre-University College, an Honours College, Leiden Leadership Programme, and Leiden University College The Hague for excellent students. Leiden has elected to concentrate its research on 11 key profile areas, most of them with a strong multidisciplinary focus: Asian modernities and traditions; Bioscience: the science base of health; Brain function and dysfunction over the lifespan; Fundamentals of science; Global interaction of people, culture and power through the ages; Health, prevention and the human life cycle; Interaction between legal systems; Language diversity in the world; Political legitimacy: institutions and identities; Translational drug discovery and development; Vascular and regenerative medicine. These areas offer ample opportunity for first-class fundamental research, but they also have strong links with key issues prevalent in contemporary societies. Mission statement The guiding principles of the University are: · a strong international orientation· a research-intensive profile· education and research of the highest quality

Leiden University is proud of its core values:· freedom of spirit, thought and expression· independent development of knowledge· societal responsibility· integrity
The University’s motto is: Praesidium Libertatis, Bastion of Liberty. Mission:In the coming years, Leiden University aims to make major contributions to society in the areas of prosperity, well-being and culture. Talent is indispensable to realising these ambitions. The University is therefore committed to both recruiting and developing talented individuals, from secondary school pupils and university students to young researchers and academics.
Leiden University strives for an internationally recognised position as a top-ranking research-intensive university within the European Higher Education and Research Area. Leiden already has a leading position in a great many fields, including natural sciences, life sciences (the so-called Red Biotech), medicine, arts, social and behavioural sciences, international law, astronomy and non-Western languages. The University positions its degree programmes in an international context and guarantees their quality and standard in accordance with internationally accepted norms. Our graduates are therefore fully equipped to embark on both master’s and PhD degree programmes in the Netherlands and abroad.
Leiden University is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), an alliance of leading research universities in Europe. The University also works closely with other partners such as Leiden’s Bio Science Park. With over 70 specialist businesses, this is the Netherlands’ largest knowledge cluster in the field of life sciences