Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2026 , Netherlands
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a prestigious funding opportunity for outstanding international students who wish to pursue a full-time master’s degree at Leiden University in the Netherlands. This competitive scholarship supports academically excellent non-EEA/non-EFTA students by offering partial tuition fee reductions for a wide range of master’s programmes.
Leiden University is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities, located in Leiden, the Netherlands, and founded in 1575. It is internationally recognized for its high-quality research and teaching in fields such as law, international relations, humanities, social sciences, medicine, and natural sciences. The university has a strong global outlook, offering many English-taught programs and attracting students from over 120 countries. Known for its historic academic tradition combined with modern innovation, Leiden University maintains close links with international institutions in The Hague and beyond, providing students with excellent opportunities for research, internships, and global careers.
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
Application Procedure
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.
