Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) awards EUR 10,000 to EUR 19,000 toward Master's tuition for top non-EEA students. Deadline 1 December 2026.
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is awarded to excellent non-EEA/non-EFTA students who are admitted to a full-time Leiden University Master's programme starting in September. It is a partial scholarship: it provides one of five fixed tuition-fee awards, and a significant personal contribution is still required. Around 25 awards are made per year.
Deadline: 1 December 2026. Decisions are emailed before the end of March 2027.
This is NOT a full scholarship. The award levels are EUR 10,000, EUR 15,000, EUR 17,500, EUR 18,500 and EUR 19,000, for the duration of the programme.
Partial funding only. One of five fixed tuition-fee award levels: EUR 10,000, EUR 15,000, EUR 17,500, EUR 18,500 or EUR 19,000, for the duration of the programme. This is NOT a full scholarship, and a significant personal contribution is still required.
Hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport and not be eligible for Dutch government student finance, with the exception that all nationalities are eligible for Advanced LLM programmes and the MSc International Relations and Diplomacy. Be admitted to a full-time Leiden Master's programme starting in September, with excellent results and an indication of being in the top 10% of your programme or class; proof of ranking is not required.
Excludes Leiden Law School LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes and February-start programmes.
One of five fixed tuition-fee awards — EUR 10,000, EUR 15,000, EUR 17,500, EUR 18,500 or EUR 19,000 — for the duration of the programme. Decisions are emailed before the end of March 2027. Around 25 awards are made per year.
Excellent academic results, with an indication of top 10% performance. Admission to an eligible full-time Leiden Master's programme starting in September.
A motivation letter in PDF format, maximum 500 words, uploaded in the Scholarships section of the online application.
Apply online for admission first, then select LExS in the Scholarships section of the online application and upload a motivation letter (PDF, max 500 words). Late applications are not considered. Deadline: 1 December 2026.