Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2026 | Netherlands | Partially Funded
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a merit-based funding opportunity offered by Leiden University in the Netherlands for academically outstanding international students who wish to pursue a full-time Master’s degree. This scholarship provides substantial tuition fee reductions to support top-performing applicants throughout their degree, making study at Leiden more affordable and competitive.
Scholarship Benefits
Recipients of the LExS receive partial tuition fee support for the full duration of their Master’s programme. The award levels are fixed and non-negotiable:
• €10,000 reduction toward tuition fees.
• €15,000 reduction toward tuition fees.
• €17,500 reduction toward tuition fees.
• €18,500 reduction toward tuition fees.
• €19,000 reduction toward tuition fees.
The LExS is not a full scholarship and does not cover living costs. Recipients must still demonstrate proof of sufficient funds for visa and residence permit purposes.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Be admitted to a full-time Master’s programme at Leiden University starting in September.
• Hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport and generally be ineligible for Dutch government student finance (Studiefinanciering).
• Demonstrate excellent academic performance (typically among the top 10% of the previous degree cohort).
• Apply before the specified scholarship deadline.
Certain programmes, such as Advanced LLMs and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy, are open to applicants of all nationalities, including those from EEA/EFTA countries.
Levels of Study Supported
The LExS supports the following study level:
• Master’s degree programmes (full-time) at Leiden University.
Some Master’s programmes are not eligible for the LExS, including:
• LLM (non-advanced) and certain MSc programmes at Leiden Law School.
• Programmes starting in February.
Application Process & Timing
To apply for the LExS, applicants should:
- Apply online for admission to a Master’s programme at Leiden University and ensure the application is submitted before the scholarship deadline (commonly early February).
- After submitting the admission application, return to the online application portal and open the Scholarships section.
- Select the LExS and upload a motivation letter (PDF, usually limited to 500 words).
- Submit the LExS application before the deadline; late or incomplete submissions are not accepted.
Final scholarship decisions are typically communicated by email before the end of April.
Commitment After Completion
There is no formal post-graduation obligation tied specifically to the LExS beyond completing the enrolled Master’s programme and meeting ongoing academic requirements.
Why You Should Apply
The LExS offers significant financial support toward tuition fees at one of Europe’s leading research universities, enabling academically excellent students to pursue a Master’s degree with reduced financial burden. The scholarship also adds academic prestige and enhances global career prospects through association with Leiden University’s international reputation.
