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The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Programme (LExS) is open to outstanding non-EEA/non-EFTA students enrolling in a full-time master’s degree programme at Leiden University.
About Leiden University Excellence Scholarships
Host Institution(s):
Leiden University in The Netherlands.
Level/Field of study:
All full-time Masters programmes at Leiden University with the exception of LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School.
Number of Awards:
The number and type of scholarship depends on the budget available for each Faculty department.
Target group:
Non-EEA/non-EFTA* nationals (see details below)
Scholarship value/duration:
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship programme has 3 awards:
• € 10.000 of the tuition fee
• € 15.000 of the tuition fee
• Total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee
The LExS is not a full scholarship. Non-EEA LExS recipients must still submit ‘proof of sufficient funds’ for their student visa/residence permit application.
Eligibility:
Students must have achieved excellent study results in their previous education, which is relevant to the Master’s programme for which they are applying. As an indication, the student is amongst the top 10% of graduates in his/her previous study programme. Note: proof of ranking is not required – this information is purely to indicate the level of competitiveness.
Applicants must have a non-EEA/non-EFTA* passport and may not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans (Studiefinanciering) – with the exception of students applying for the LLM Advanced Studies programmes or the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy, for which no nationality restrictions apply.
*All EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
Application instructions:
You must first apply online for admission to a Master’s programme at Leiden University. In your application, you must indicate clearly that you would like to apply for the LExS scholarship in the scholarship section and upload your letter of motivation for the LExS scholarship. The deadline for programmes starting in September is 1 February, while programmes starting in February have a deadline of 1 October.
It is important to visit the official website (link found below) to access the online application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
Deadline: 1 Feb/1 Oct (annual)
Study in: Netherlands
Next course starts Sept 2026/Feb 2027
Visit the official website for more details
FAQs
1. What is the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LexS) and who is eligible?
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LexS) is a merit-based scholarship program designed to support outstanding international students pursuing a Master’s degree at Leiden University. Eligible candidates must:
Have a strong academic record with excellent grades.
Be applying for a full-time Master’s program at Leiden University for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Meet the English language requirements of the chosen program.
Be non-EEA students (usually for international applicants outside the EU/EEA).
2. How can I apply for the LexS scholarship for 2026/2027?
Applicants must first be admitted to a Master’s program at Leiden University. Once admitted:
Complete the online LexS scholarship application form through the university’s scholarship portal.
Upload required documents such as transcripts, degree certificates, CV, motivation letter, and references.
Submit the application before the specified deadline for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Incomplete or late applications are not considered.
3. What does the LexS scholarship cover?
The LexS scholarship typically covers:
Tuition fees for one year of Master’s studies.
A monthly allowance to support living expenses.
In some cases, additional funding for research or study-related costs.
The exact scholarship amount may vary depending on the program and the applicant’s profile.
4. When is the application deadline for the 2026/2027 LexS scholarship?
The exact deadline may vary by program, but generally:
Scholarship applications open after Master’s program admission decisions are released.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their LexS application as early as possible, usually by March or April 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Check the official Leiden University scholarship portal regularly for updated dates.