Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) for All

Applications are being received for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS). The scholarship is open to excellent students joining a full-time Leiden University master’s degree program, with the exception of LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programs at Leiden Law School in the Netherlands.

The LExS is awarded for the duration of the study program. There are five levels of awards, and the level you get is final and non-negotiable. This is not a full scholarship. You will still need a significant personal contribution, and non-EEA recipients must submit proof of sufficient funds for their student visa application. Around 25 scholarships are available each year, while over a thousand students apply. Do the math.

Founded in 1575, Leiden University is a public research university located in Leiden, Netherlands. It has more than 40 national and international research institutes, seven academic faculties, and over fifty departments. Leiden is a member of the Coimbra Group and the Europaeum and a founding member of the League of European Research Universities. It consistently ranks among the top 100 universities globally.

Program Details

• Host Institution: Leiden University in the Netherlands.
• Eligible Faculties: Archaeology, Humanities, Medicine/LUMC, Governance and Global Affairs, Law, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Science.
• Number of awards: Approximately 25 per year.
• Duration: Normal duration of the study program (12 months for a 1-year program, 24 months for a 2-year program).
• Target group: Non-EEA/non-EFTA students. Exception: All nationalities for Advanced LLMs and MSc International Relations and Diplomacy.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Benefits

The LExS is awarded for the duration of the study program. There are five available levels of awards:

• €10,000 of the tuition fee
• €15,000 of the tuition fee
• €17,500 of the tuition fee
• €18,500 of the tuition fee
• €19,000 of the tuition fee

The LExS is not a full scholarship. It does not cover the full cost of your studies. Non-EEA LExS recipients must still submit proof of sufficient funds for their student visa and residence permit application. If awarded, the level of the award is final and non-negotiable.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Eligibility

To apply for the LExS, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Apply for a full-time master’s program at Leiden University starting in September, with the exception of LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programs at Leiden Law School.
• Hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport and not be eligible for Dutch student finance (Studiefinanciering). Exception: Students applying for all LLM Advanced Studies programs or the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy may be of any nationality.
• Have achieved excellent academic results in previous study program(s) relevant to the Master‘s program. As an indication, you should be among the top 10% of graduates. Proof of ranking is not required.

Note for UK students: As the UK is a non-EEA country, UK students are eligible to apply. This does not apply to applicants who were already living in the Netherlands and registered in their Dutch municipality’s BRP before 1 January 2021.

Exclusions

• Scholarships cannot be awarded to applicants who already hold a Leiden University Master’s degree, with the exception of students applying for a master’s program for which a specified previous master’s program or work experience is mandatory (e.g., LLM Advanced Studies).
• Scholarships cannot be awarded to students following an LLM (non-advanced) or MSc program at Leiden Law School.
• Scholarships cannot be awarded to students following a study program starting in February.
• Scholarships cannot be awarded to students who do not meet the nationality requirements.
• It is not possible to combine the LExS with another full scholarship from an external provider. You must notify the scholarships department if you receive a full scholarship from another source. In some circumstances, the LExS may be combined with a partial scholarship from an external provider.

How to Apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

Interested applicants must follow the steps below. Read carefully. Missing a step means your application will not be considered.

1. Apply online for admission to a master’s program at Leiden University. Pay the application fee if applicable. Note: it can take up to 3 working days to create and submit an application for admission, so start well before the LExS deadline.
2. After submitting your application for admission, return to the Apply screen in your online application and click on Scholarships. If you are eligible, the LExS will appear. If you cannot see it, you either have not submitted your application for admission, missed the deadline, or are not eligible.
3. Indicate that you want to apply for the LExS, then upload your LExS motivation letter. This must be a PDF file of a maximum of 500 words explaining why you would like to be considered for the award.
4. Submit your scholarship application before the LExS deadline. Once submitted, you cannot make changes or send additional items by email.
5. If you are applying for more than one study program and wish to apply for an LExS for each, you must submit an LExS application and motivation letter within each separate online application for admission.

Selection Process

The faculty selection committees will nominate their LExS recipients within 10 weeks of the LExS deadline. All applicants will receive an email notifying them whether they have been awarded an LExS before the end of March.

Terms and Conditions

• The LExS is only valid for the period you are registered at Leiden University as a full-time student within the timeframe of the study program. Maximum study period: 12 months for a 1-year program (60EC), 24 months for a 2-year program (120EC).
• Continuation of the LExS is not guaranteed if you change your degree program. Requests are reviewed case by case. If the change happens before you have registered, the LExS is revoked, and you must re-apply.
• An LExS cannot be transferred to another academic year or later intake. If you postpone your participation, the LExS is revoked.
• For a 2-year program, you must obtain a minimum of 60 ECTS in the first year to retain the LExS for the following year.
• You may not receive any additional full scholarships for the same study program. Partial scholarships may be permitted with advance written permission from Leiden University.
• You may submit multiple scholarship applications but may not accept more than one scholarship provided by or sponsored by Leiden University (including the CEU Praesidium Libertatis scholarship).
• The LExS will not be awarded to students admitted to a second master’s program at Leiden University.
• You must comply with Dutch visa and residence permit regulations.
• You must notify Leiden University immediately of any changes to your nationality, residence permit, or eligibility for Dutch student finance.
• If you terminate your studies prematurely, you must notify the scholarship team immediately and submit a request for termination via Studielink.
• All LExS awardees are still required to pay the statutory tuition fee to Leiden University.
• During your studies, you must play an active role in activities to promote the LExS.
• LExS awardees must accept their scholarship in the uSis scholarship portal by the deadline stated in the communication sent via uSis. If you do not accept before the deadline, the scholarship is withdrawn.

The application deadline is December 1, 2026. . For more information on the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship, please visit the official page.