The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 offers high-achieving international students an opportunity to receive substantial tuition-fee support while pursuing a full-time master’s degree at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
The scholarship is aimed primarily at students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) who demonstrate excellent academic performance. Successful applicants can receive one of five scholarship awards ranging from €10,000 to €19,000 toward tuition fees.
The application deadline for the September 2027 intake is 1 December 2026.
Importantly, the LExS is not a fully funded scholarship. It does not cover the entire cost of studying and living in the Netherlands, and recipients are expected to make a significant personal financial contribution.
| Scholarship | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) |
| University | Leiden University |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Study level | Master’s |
| Intake | September |
| Target group | Mainly non-EEA/non-EFTA students |
| Award | €10,000–€19,000 toward tuition fees |
| Duration | Duration of the master’s programme |
| Deadline | 1 December 2026 |
| Selection | Highly competitive |
| Number of awards | Around 25 per year |
| Application | Online through the master’s admission application |
What Is the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship?
The LExS is a scholarship for excellent students joining a full-time master’s degree programme at Leiden University.
The scholarship is available across a range of faculties, including:
- Archaeology
- Humanities
- Medicine/LUMC
- Governance and Global Affairs
- Law
- Social and Behavioural Sciences
- Science
The scholarship applies to master’s programmes starting in September, subject to the stated programme exclusions.
How Much Is the LExS Scholarship Worth?
Leiden University offers five possible levels of tuition-fee awards:
- €10,000
- €15,000
- €17,500
- €18,500
- €19,000
The award is applied toward tuition fees for the duration of the study programme.
However, applicants should understand that the LExS is not a full scholarship. Even recipients of the €19,000 award may have tuition and other costs remaining.
The university also states that the award level is final and non-negotiable once granted.
Who Is Eligible for the LExS?
Applicants must satisfy academic, nationality and programme requirements.
Master’s Programme Requirement
Applicants must be applying for a full-time master’s programme at Leiden University beginning in September.
The scholarship excludes:
- LLM non-advanced programmes at Leiden Law School
- MSc programmes at Leiden Law School
- Master’s programmes beginning in February
Applicants should always check whether their particular master’s programme qualifies.
Nationality Requirement
In general, applicants must hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport and must not be eligible for Dutch government student finance (Studiefinanciering).
EEA/EFTA countries include all EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
There are important exceptions. No nationality restrictions apply to applicants for:
- All LLM Advanced Studies programmes
- MSc International Relations and Diplomacy
The university also specifically notes that UK students are considered eligible because the UK is a non-EEA country, subject to the stated exception for people who were already living in the Netherlands and registered in the Dutch municipal BRP before 1 January 2021.
Academic Requirements
The LExS is intended for students with excellent academic results in previous studies.
Applicants should have completed a previous programme that is relevant to the master’s degree they are applying for.
Leiden University gives being among the top 10% of graduates as an indication of the academic level expected.
Proof of ranking is not required. The university uses the top-10% figure to illustrate the competitiveness of the scholarship.
Because only around 25 LExS scholarships are available each year while more than 1,000 students apply, applicants should expect strong competition.
What Costs Does the Scholarship Cover?
The LExS is primarily a tuition-fee scholarship.
Depending on the award level, it contributes between €10,000 and €19,000 toward tuition fees.
It does not constitute a complete package covering all study and living costs.
Non-EEA recipients must still provide proof of sufficient funds when applying for their student visa or residence permit.
Students should therefore prepare a realistic financial plan for expenses not covered by the LExS, including any remaining tuition fees and living costs.
How to Apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship
The scholarship application is integrated into the master’s admission process.
Step 1: Apply for a Master’s Programme
First, applicants must submit an online application for admission to an eligible master’s programme at Leiden University.
Applicants should also pay the applicable admission application fee where required.
Leiden University advises applicants to begin early because creating and submitting an admission application can take up to three working days.
Step 2: Access the Scholarship Section
After submitting the master’s admission application, applicants should return to the Apply screen in the online application.
Select Scholarships.
If the applicant is eligible, the LExS option will appear in the scholarship section.
Step 3: Select the LExS
Indicate that you want to be considered for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship.
Applicants must then upload a LExS motivation letter.
Step 4: Prepare the Motivation Letter
The motivation letter must be submitted as a PDF and must contain a maximum of 500 words.
Applicants should explain why they should be considered for the scholarship.
Because the scholarship is highly competitive, the motivation letter should clearly demonstrate academic excellence, relevant achievements and a convincing reason for pursuing the chosen master’s programme.
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
The completed scholarship application must be submitted before the deadline.
Leiden University states that scholarship applications cannot be changed after submission, either online or by sending additional materials by email.
Applicants applying to multiple study programmes or specialisations who want LExS consideration for each must submit a separate scholarship application and motivation letter within each relevant admission application.
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Deadline 2027
The application deadline for the September 2027 intake is:
1 December 2026
Late scholarship applications will not be considered.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that both the master’s admission application and scholarship application are completed and submitted before the deadline.
Selection Process
Faculty selection committees nominate LExS recipients within approximately 10 weeks of the scholarship deadline.
Applicants will receive an email informing them whether they have been awarded the scholarship before the end of March.
Given the limited number of scholarships and large applicant pool, meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award.
Important Exclusions
Applicants should be aware of several restrictions.
The LExS cannot be awarded to students who have already obtained a master’s degree from Leiden University, except in cases where a particular master’s programme requires a specified previous master’s degree or work experience, such as certain LLM Advanced Studies programmes.
The scholarship also cannot be awarded to students who:
- Are applying for an excluded LLM or MSc programme at Leiden Law School
- Are starting a programme in February
- Do not meet the nationality requirements
- Receive another full scholarship from an external provider
The LExS may in some circumstances be combined with a partial external scholarship, but applicants should contact Leiden University’s Scholarships Team for confirmation.
Is the Leiden LExS Scholarship Fully Funded?
No.
Despite sometimes being advertised online as a “fully funded” Netherlands scholarship, Leiden University explicitly states that the LExS is not a full scholarship.
The maximum award is €19,000 toward tuition fees, and students should expect to contribute financially toward the overall cost of their studies.
This distinction is important for applicants planning their finances and visa applications.
Why Apply for the LExS?
The LExS can significantly reduce the tuition burden for academically outstanding international students pursuing a master’s degree at Leiden University.
The scholarship offers up to €19,000 in tuition-fee support, and recipients benefit from studying at one of the Netherlands’ established research universities.
For students with excellent academic records who can demonstrate a strong fit with their chosen master’s programme, the LExS represents a competitive opportunity to reduce the cost of international postgraduate study.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship provide?
The scholarship offers five possible tuition-fee awards: €10,000, €15,000, €17,500, €18,500 or €19,000.
Is the LExS fully funded?
No. Leiden University explicitly states that the LExS is not a full scholarship. Students must make a significant personal contribution toward the cost of study.
Who can apply?
The scholarship is primarily available to excellent students with non-EEA/non-EFTA nationality applying for eligible full-time master’s programmes beginning in September.
Certain programmes, including Advanced LLM programmes and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy, have no nationality restrictions.
What academic performance is expected?
Leiden University indicates that successful candidates are expected to have excellent academic results, with being among the top 10% of graduates given as an indication of the expected level.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is 1 December 2026 for the September 2027 intake.
How do I apply?
You first apply for an eligible master’s programme at Leiden University. After submitting the admission application, eligible applicants can access the LExS option through the Scholarships section and upload a motivation letter of no more than 500 words.
How many scholarships are available?
Leiden University states that it has approximately 25 LExS scholarships available each year.
Can I apply for more than one master’s programme?
Yes, but applicants seeking LExS consideration for multiple programmes or specialisations must submit a separate LExS application and motivation letter within each separate online admission application.
Final Thoughts
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 is a highly competitive tuition-fee award for academically outstanding international students seeking to pursue a full-time master’s degree at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
The scholarship offers up to €19,000 toward tuition fees, with five possible award levels. However, prospective applicants should not describe it as a fully funded scholarship because Leiden University clearly states that it does not cover the full cost of study.
The key deadline is 1 December 2026, and applicants should begin their master’s admission application early enough to complete both the admission and scholarship processes.
Strong academic performance is central to the selection process, with Leiden University indicating that applicants should ideally rank among the top 10% of graduates. Given the limited number of awards compared with the large applicant pool, applicants should prepare a strong admission application and carefully written scholarship motivation letter.
Official Leiden University scholarship page: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/scholarships/sea/leiden-university-excellence-scholarship-lexs
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