International Studies

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Nederland
The Hague
International Studies

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The English-language International Studies Bachelor degree offers a unique combination of comparative area studies and foreign language acquisition.

This Leiden University Humanities programme is located in The Hague. In the course of the programme, students focus on a particular world area and study its cultural, political, economical and historical aspects. Language acquisition of (at least) one of the area’s main languages is essential to the degree, as a tool of communication and to provide the context for the specific area study. You learn to study regions in their own right and within a global and comparative perspective. The degree is taught and examined in English.

13/10/2026

📚✨ Semester opening! On 25 September, BA International Studies kicked off the new academic year with the semester opening lecture by alumnus Joost Backer (BAIS 2013–2016).

🌍 In his lecture “4 Principles for Transition Professionals – Towards a Better World,” Joost asked how students and young professionals can already contribute to the major transitions of our time. Drawing on his career in sustainability consultancy and his new role as policy advisor at GIZ in Brussels, he introduced four principles for tackling social and ecological crises at different levels: from systems and organisations to working with others and taking care of yourself.

✨ An inspiring start to the semester that showed how your studies can already be a starting point for change, and that sparked questions and discussions among students and staff.

🙏🏼 We would like to thank Joost Backer for coming back to where it all started and for his wonderful contribution to the start of our semester. We look forward to many more inspiring lectures and discussions this year!

29/09/2026

GRADUATE Q&A 🎓✨

🗓️ While our current students are settling into the new semester (and finding their way around Wijnhaven and Spui again ☕), our class of 2026 is already off to their next adventure!

👏 We’re kicking off this year’s Graduate Q&A with Beckett, Yonne and Diego, who share their plans after International Studies: master’s programmes in London, Amsterdam and Leiden, and some exciting dreams for the years ahead.

What would your next step be? Tell us in the comments below 💬

08/09/2026

🎓 On Friday 28 August 2026, more than 260 International Studies students received their Bachelor’s degree! For the first time, the ceremony was held in the Amare theatre in The Hague rather than in Leiden, but the venue was every bit as festive, filled with proud parents, graduation caps and celebratory outfits.

🎤 The opening speech was given by Dean Henk te Velde, who reflected on two International Studies alumnae he had met at the annual alumni event in Brussels. While one credited her success to hard work, high marks and work placements, the other pointed to everything she did outside her studies as the key to landing her job. “Know that there will be space for each of you,” Te Velde told the graduates.

🏅 This year’s Golden Stork Award for best International Studies dissertation went to Myriam Chouk, praised by the committee for her original and rigorous analysis of the radicalisation of Islamist women in the media between 2013 and 2016.

✨ The ceremony was closed by Assistant Professor Hannah De Mulder, who reminded the graduates of everything they’ve gained: “You know a lot about very many different things. You can see the bigger picture.” She sent them off with a nod to business leader Sheryl Sandberg, encouraging them to make the most of whatever path lies ahead.

💙 We wish all the newly graduated all the best in their future endeavours and hope to see you again someday!
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15/04/2026

🌏 This February, the South and Southeast Asia Track of BAIS hosted an academic debate surrounding the question: “Will India become a superpower by 2047?”
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👥 The event brought together scholars in International Relations from Leiden University and beyond for a dynamic debate, marking the first major academic event at our new Spui Campus. With around 200 attendees, the evening welcomed a diverse audience of students, faculty, diplomats, policymakers, and media professionals.
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💬 The discussion explored contrasting perspectives on India’s global trajectory. Proponents highlighted India’s economic transformation, advances in digitalisation and military modernisation, and its unique position as a bridge between the Global South and the West. Critical voices, however, pointed to persistent structural challenges, limitations in global network dominance, and the strategic constraints posed by its regional environment.
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🤝 The event was initiated by students from the SSEA track themselves, and co-organized in collaboration with lecturers: a stron gexample of student-staff collaboration!
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✨ Thanks to the audience for the insightful questions and to the speakers for their invaluable contributions!
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Panel members: Dr Garima Mohan, Dr Vineet Thakur, Dr Rogier Creemers and Dr Nicholas Blarel
Moderation: Richard Ghiasy
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14/01/2026

GRADUATE Q&A🎓✨
�📚 As the new semester is around the corner, many students start thinking about their next steps: whether that’s continuing their studies, exploring new fields, or taking a well-deserved break.

👏 In this final part of the Graduate Q&A, our class of 2025 graduates share what they’ve been up to since finishing International Studies. From master’s programmes to exciting career paths, they show just how many directions this degree can take you!

😇 We wish all our graduates the best of luck in their new endeavours, and to our current students: may this inspire you for what’s ahead! ✨
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10/12/2025

During their third year, International Studies students can go abroad for an exchange 🌍. This semester, our student Fréderique took her studies to Montevideo, Uruguay 🇺🇾👇🏼
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“Hi! My name is Fréderique and within BAIS I specialise in Latin America. I am now wrapping up my exchange semester in Montevideo, Uruguay, at the Universidad de Montevideo (UM).

When I began my courses in August (winter here!), I immediately noticed how different the teaching style was compared to Leiden. UM offers small, interactive weekly classes, which makes the learning environment very personal. This format allowed me to build close relationships with my professors, and the informal atmosphere (like having food in class or communicating via WhatsApp) was a new but very positive experience.

BAIS gave me a strong foundation in Latin American politics, history and culture, and it was incredibly rewarding to apply this knowledge in real life. I was able to have meaningful conversations with Uruguayans, and I felt better prepared to understand and adjust to the local culture.

Student life in Montevideo is vibrant and welcoming. At UM there were even more Dutch students than I expected, and the university’s international office organised events, parties and trips that made it easy to connect with other exchange students. I also travelled a lot during my semester: I visited Buenos Aires five times because it is so close, and I was lucky enough to explore Rio de Janeiro and Peru as well.

Montevideo is an amazing home base: safe, relaxed, and with a very high quality of life. Uruguay is one of the most chilled-out countries I’ve ever been in, which was such a contrast to the structured culture of the Netherlands. Especially in spring and summer, when you are able to go to the beach, the city is very vibrant and everyone is outside.

Overall, I loved my time in Montevideo. I met wonderful people, learned so much, and experienced parts of Latin America I had only studied before. I feel like I have developed as a person by adjusting to a completely new culture on the other side of the world, where everything is the opposite of the Netherlands. I would highly recommend this exchange!”

17/11/2025

Graduate Q&A 🎓✨

❓As we move into the final weeks of the semester, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what we’ve learned — and what advice we’d pass on to others!

🙏 In this part of our Graduate Q&A, the class of 2025 shares their best tips for current and future International Studies students. From study-life balance to making the most of your time in The Hague — their advice might be just what you need to finish the semester strong! 💪

Will you be using any of the advice given by our graduates? Let us know in the comments! 💬
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30/10/2025

🌍 A world of choices at the Area Fair!
 Last Friday, the annual Area Fair took place at Schouwburgstraat! 🎉 This event helps first-year students explore the different areas and languages they can choose for their specialisation in the second semester.

🎓 Throughout the afternoon, lecturers gave short presentations about each region, while current students and staff were there to answer questions and share their experiences. It was a great opportunity to get inspired and start thinking about your specialisation! ✨

Did the Area Fair help you decide which area or language you’d like to choose? Let us know in the comments! 💬 . . . . . . 

21/10/2025

Graduate Q&A 🎓✨

🌤️ Midterm season is here! And while our current students are busy studying, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the good times our graduates have shared during their studies at International Studies!

💬 In this first part of the Graduate Q&A with the class of 2025, we asked them what they’ll miss the most about their time in the programme. From friends and lecturers to group projects and coffee breaks at Wijnhaven ☕: what would you miss the most?

Tell us in the comments below ⬇️
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01/10/2025

📚✨ Semester opening! On Friday 19 September, BA International Studies kicked off the new academic year with the semester opening lecture by Dr. Steije Hofhuis.

🧙 Dr. Hofhuis gave a lecture titled “Viral Hunts: A Darwinian Analysis of European Witch-Hunting.” He explored how beliefs in witchcraft spread across Europe between the 15th and 17th centuries, through cultural dynamics that resemble viral processes. Using Darwinian cultural evolution as a lens, he showed how these ideas thrived in their historical context, and what the scientific contribution of this perspective can be.

✨ An engaging start to the semester that sparked many questions and discussions among students and staff.

🙏🏻 We would like to thank Dr. Steije Hofhuis for his wonderful contribution to the start of our semester. We look forward to many more inspiring lectures and discussions this year! . . . .

Adres

Turfmarkt 99
The Hague
2511DV

Website

http://internationalstudies.leiden.edu/

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