The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Education and Child Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty is home to approximately 7,000 students and 1,000 staff members. Our institutes are dedicated not only to education but also to groundbreaking research that expands our understanding of human behavior and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the variety of teaching approaches, and the structure of professional support. This provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. For an introduction to our faculty, visit our website: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Leiden University .
The Institute of Political Science has a strong research tradition in various areas of comparative, Dutch, and international politics, as well as in political theory. The institute employs around 85 academic staff members, including many international scholars, and hosts several editorial boards for internationally peer-reviewed journals and book series. Members of the institute are also involved in a number of multidisciplinary research centers within the university, including the Europe Hub, Central and East European Studies, International Relations, Parties and Representation, Political Philosophy, Centre for Dutch Politics and Governance, and ReCNTR. The institute is based in both Leiden and The Hague, where much of the teaching takes place, and offers a wide range of bachelor’s and master’s programs. It also trains PhD students in political science. The BSc programs include General Political Science (in both Dutch and English, in Leiden), International Politics (in both Dutch and English, in Leiden), and International Relations and Organizations (in English, in The Hague). The one-year MSc program (largely taught in English) offers five specializations in Leiden and one in The Hague.
