1. In Europe, Leiden and Oxford are twins. The former is the seat of the most prestigious and academic university in continental Europe, while the latter is the seat of Oxford University, the oldest university in Britain.

The recognition and reputation of this school are not very high.

Leiden University is one of the leading international research universities in Europe. It was established by Prince Willem van Oranje in 1575 as a reward for Leiden Town's resistance to Spanish attacks during the eighty-year war. It is the oldest higher education institution in the Netherlands and the first university in the Netherlands.