Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands. It was founded in February 1575, as a gift from William of Orange to the citizens of Leiden who had withstood a long siege by the Spaniards.

In Leiden there are approximately 17,000 students and 4,000 staff members. The University consists of nine faculties, a School of Management and a School of Education. The University houses faculties of Archaeology, Arts, Creative and Performing Arts, Law, LUMC (Leiden University Medical Center), Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Philosophy, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Theology.

The faculties offer a varied range of bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes. In addition, three other units offer post-academic training: the Institute for Environmental Sciences (CML), the School of Education (ICLON) and Campus The Hague. The latter specialises in post-academic training in the field of law and political science for those working in the public sector, the legal sector or the corporate world.

• Department of Physics, Leiden University
• Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University
• Mathematical Institute, Leiden University