Overview
Master’s Degree Programmes (Full-time)
Description
Master’s Degree Programmes (Full-time)
Eligibility
Academic Requirements
Excellent academic record
Among the top 10% of previous study cohort
Prior degree must be relevant to the chosen master’s programme
Exclusions
Students who already hold a Leiden master’s degree
Applicants for non-advanced LLM or MSc Law
Students receiving another full external scholarship
Additional Information
Degree Level
Master’s Degree Programmes (Full-time)
Available Subjects
The LExS is available for most master’s programmes within:
Faculty of Archaeology
Faculty of Humanities
Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC)
Governance and Global Affairs
Faculty of Law (Advanced LLM only)
Social and Behavioural Sciences
Faculty of Science
Not eligible:
LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School
Programmes starting in February
Benefits
The LExS provides partial tuition fee waivers at five levels:
€10,000
€15,000
€17,500
€18,500
€19,000
Important Notes
The LExS is not a full scholarship
Living expenses and visa costs are not covered
Award level is final and non-negotiable
Recipients must still show proof of sufficient funds for Dutch visa
Eligible Nationalities
Must hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport
Must not be eligible for Dutch student finance
UK students are eligible unless registered in the Netherlands before 1 Jan 2021
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Requirements
Excellent academic record
Among the top 10% of previous study cohort
Prior degree must be relevant to the chosen master’s programme
Exclusions
Students who already hold a Leiden master’s degree
Applicants for non-advanced LLM or MSc Law
Students receiving another full external scholarship
Step 1 Apply For Admission
Submit online application for a Leiden master’s programme
Pay application fee if applicable
Allow up to 3 working days for system processing
Step 2 – Apply for LExS
After admission submission, go to Scholarships section
Select Leiden University Excellence Scholarship
Upload a motivation letter (max 500 words, PDF)
Step 3 – Submit Before Deadline
Deadline: 2 February
No changes allowed after submission
Separate application required for each programme
Selection Process
Faculty committees review applications
Results announced before end of April
Around 25 scholarships awarded annually
More than 1,000 applicants → highly competitive
Obligations Of Awardees
Must agree to LExS terms and conditions
Maintain academic progress
Inform Leiden University about any other scholarships
Why Choose Leiden University
One of Europe’s oldest and top-ranked universities
World-class research environment
International student community
Strong career prospects in Europe
Located in historic student city Leiden & The Hague
Conclusion
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2026 is an outstanding opportunity for high-achieving international students to study in the Netherlands with substantial financial support. If you have an excellent academic background and strong motivation, this scholarship can help you join one of Europe’s most prestigious universities.
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Is Leiden University Excellence Scholarship fully funded? No, LExS is a partial tuition scholarship ranging from €10,000 to €19,000 and does not cover living expenses or visa costs.
Who is eligible for LExS? Non-EEA/non-EFTA students with excellent academic records applying for a full-time master’s at Leiden University are eligible.
How competitive is the LExS scholarship? It is highly competitive with only about 25 awards per year from more than 1,000 applicants.
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Funding
Partial Funding
Organization
Leiden University
Degree
Masters
Subjects
All Subjects
Nationality
International Students
Country
Netherlands
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.