The university and student life

The oldest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1575 by William of Orange, produced 16 Nobel laureates. Our King Willem-Alexander also spent his student years at Rapenburg. The university still determines part of the city's identity and makes Leiden a vibrant student city with many places to eat and drink.

The oldest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1575 by William of Orange, produced 16 Nobel laureates. Our King Willem-Alexander also spent his student years at Rapenburg. The university still determines part of the city's identity and makes Leiden a vibrant student city with many places to eat and drink. From a simple student meal to elaborate dining. Everything is possible.

Walking through the city centre, you can recognise the student houses by the many bikes in front of the door and the students sitting in the benches in front of the canal houses as soon as the weather permits. At exam time, students crowd around the square in front of the university library or find a spot in the sun in the Hortus Botanicus. During a walk, be sure to check out the Rapenburg, the Academy Building, the Hortus, Minerva society, the Witte Singel and Museum Boerhaave to get an idea of student life and the world of science.