The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a prestigious merit-based scholarship designed for outstanding international students applying for full-time master’s degree programmes at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
The scholarship helps reduce tuition costs, making it easier for talented students from around the world to pursue graduate studies at one of Europe’s oldest and most respected universities.
Rather than providing full funding, the LExS scholarship offers significant tuition fee reductions based on academic excellence. Students with exceptional academic records are encouraged to apply for this competitive scholarship.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Netherlands
- Host University: Leiden University
- Scholarship Name: Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
- Degree Level: Master’s
- Scholarship Type: Merit-Based
- Scholarship Value: Tuition fee reduction of up to €19,000
- Eligible Nationalities: Primarily Non-EEA and Non-EFTA students
- Application Deadline: 1 December
Degree Level
The scholarship is available for:
- Master’s degree programmes
Applicants must apply for a full-time master’s programme at Leiden University.
Available Subjects
The scholarship is available for most full-time master’s programmes offered by Leiden University, including fields such as:
- Law
- Science
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Business
- Archaeology
- Governance and Global Affairs
- Medicine
- Psychology
- International Relations
- Public Administration
- Many other master’s programmes
Excluded programmes include:
- Non-Advanced LLM programmes at Leiden Law School
- MSc programmes at Leiden Law School
Benefits
Successful applicants may receive one of the following tuition fee reductions:
- €10,000
- €15,000
- €17,500
- €18,500
- Up to €19,000
The scholarship:
- Reduces tuition fees for the approved duration of the master’s programme
- Makes studying in the Netherlands more affordable
- Rewards outstanding academic achievement
- Supports talented international students
Please note: The scholarship does not cover living expenses, accommodation, travel, health insurance, visa costs, or residence permit expenses.
Eligible Nationalities
The scholarship is primarily open to:
- International students from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
- Students from countries outside the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Applicants must generally:
- Pay the international tuition fee.
- Not be eligible for Dutch student finance (Studiefinanciering).
Certain programmes, such as Advanced LLM degrees and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy, may have different nationality requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Apply for admission to a full-time master’s programme at Leiden University.
- Demonstrate outstanding academic performance.
- Typically rank among the top 10% of graduates in their previous academic programme.
- Meet all admission requirements for the chosen programme.
- Submit both the admission application and scholarship request before the deadline.
- Meet the nationality and tuition fee requirements applicable to the selected programme.
Required Documents
Applicants may be asked to submit:
- Completed master’s admission application
- Scholarship application
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
- Passport copy
- English language proficiency documents (if required)
- Any additional programme-specific documents
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply:
- Choose an eligible full-time master’s programme at Leiden University.
- Prepare all required admission documents.
- Complete your online admission application.
- Submit the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship request as part of the admission process.
- Upload all required supporting documents, including a strong motivation letter.
- Submit the complete application before 1 December 2026.
Why Apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship?
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for high-achieving international students to reduce the cost of studying in the Netherlands.
Although it is not a fully funded scholarship, the substantial tuition fee reduction can make a world-class master’s education much more affordable.
Students also benefit from studying at a globally recognized research university known for academic excellence, innovation, and an international learning environment.
