The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a prestigious award for outstanding non-EEA/non-EFTA students pursuing a full-time Master’s degree at Leiden University. It offers partial tuition fee coverage, with awards ranging from €10,000 to €19,000 per year, and is highly competitive with only about 25 scholarships available annually.
Leiden University, founded in 1575, is one of Europe’s leading international research universities. Located in the Netherlands, it consistently ranks among the top 100 universities worldwide. The university is known for its strong emphasis on research, international collaboration, and a wide range of Master’s programmes across faculties including Humanities, Science, Law, and Social Sciences.
Benefits of Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2026
- €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
- Awarded for the duration of the study programme
Eligibility Criteria for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2026
- Applicants must be non-EEA/non-EFTA passport holders and not eligible for Dutch student finance (Studiefinanciering).
- Applicants must have achieved excellent academic results, typically among the top 10% of graduates in their previous study programme.
- Applicants must be applying for a full-time Leiden University Master’s programme starting in September, except LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School.
- UK students are eligible as the UK is a non-EEA country, except those living in the Netherlands and registered in the BRP before 1 January 2021.
- Students who already hold a Leiden University Master’s degree are not eligible, except for programmes requiring a specific previous Master’s or work experience (e.g., LLM Advanced Studies).
- Scholarships cannot be awarded to students starting in February.
- Cannot be combined with another full scholarship from an external provider; may be combined with a partial scholarship under certain conditions.
How to Apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2026
- Apply online for admission to a Master’s programme at Leiden University and pay the application fee if applicable.
- After submitting your admission application, return to the ‘Apply’ screen and click on ‘Scholarships’.
- If eligible, the LExS will appear in the scholarships section; indicate you want to apply and upload a motivation letter (PDF, max 500 words).
- Submit your scholarship application before the LExS deadline (1 December 2026).
- If applying for multiple programmes, submit a separate LExS application and motivation letter for each.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS). These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
What is the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)?
The LExS is a partial tuition fee scholarship for excellent non-EEA/non-EFTA students pursuing a full-time Master’s degree at Leiden University. It offers awards from €10,000 to €19,000 per year and is highly competitive.
Who is eligible for the LExS?
Applicants must be non-EEA/non-EFTA passport holders, not eligible for Dutch student finance, and have excellent academic results (top 10% of graduates). They must apply for a full-time Master’s programme starting in September, excluding LLM (non-advanced) and MSc at Leiden Law School.
What is the deadline for the LExS?
The deadline for the LExS is 1 December 2026. Late applications will not be considered. It is the student’s responsibility to submit both the admission application and scholarship application before this date.
How much funding does the LExS provide?
The LExS offers five levels of tuition fee coverage: €10,000, €15,000, €17,500, €18,500, or €19,000 per year. The award is final and non-negotiable. It does not cover full costs, so a significant personal contribution is required.
Can I combine the LExS with other scholarships?
The LExS cannot be combined with another full scholarship from an external provider. It may be combined with a partial scholarship under certain circumstances. Students must notify the scholarships department if they receive other funding.
How do I apply for the LExS?
First, apply online for admission to a Master’s programme at Leiden University. After submitting, go to the ‘Apply’ screen, click ‘Scholarships’, and if eligible, the LExS will appear. Upload a motivation letter (PDF, max 500 words) and submit before the deadline.
When will I know if I received the LExS?
Faculty selection committees nominate recipients within 6 weeks of the deadline. All applicants receive an email notifying them whether they have been awarded a LExS before the end of April.
Are UK students eligible for the LExS?
Yes, UK students are eligible as the UK is a non-EEA country. However, this does not apply to applicants who were living in the Netherlands and registered in the Dutch BRP before 1 January 2021.
Can I apply for the LExS if I already have a Leiden University Master’s degree?
Generally no, unless you are applying for a programme that requires a specific previous Master’s or work experience, such as LLM Advanced Studies programmes.
What programmes are excluded from the LExS?
The LExS cannot be awarded for LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School, or for study programmes starting in February. Students who do not meet nationality requirements are also excluded.
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