Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027: Applications Open for International Master’s Students (Apply by 1 December 2026) ·Unknown

International students seeking to pursue a master’s degree in the Netherlands can now apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027, one of the institution’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship programmes. The scholarship supports outstanding non-EEA and non-EFTA students enrolling in eligible full-time master’s programmes at Leiden University beginning in September 2027.

Applications for the scholarship close on 1 December 2026, and successful candidates may receive tuition fee awards of up to €19,000. While the scholarship does not cover all study costs, it significantly reduces tuition expenses for academically exceptional students wishing to study at one of Europe’s leading research universities.

About the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is designed to attract high-achieving international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The scholarship rewards academic excellence and provides financial assistance for students pursuing eligible master’s programmes at Leiden University.

The scholarship is awarded for the full duration of the master’s programme and is available across several faculties, including:

• Archaeology
• Humanities
• Medicine (LUMC)
• Governance and Global Affairs
• Law
• Science
• Social and Behavioural Sciences

The programme aims to support future leaders, researchers, and professionals who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and the potential to make meaningful contributions within their fields.

Eligible Master’s Programmes

The scholarship is available to applicants admitted to most full-time master’s programmes beginning in September.

However, the following programmes are excluded:

• LLM (Non-Advanced) programmes offered by Leiden Law School
• MSc programmes at Leiden Law School
• Master’s programmes beginning in February

Students applying for Advanced LLM programmes and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy are exempt from certain nationality restrictions.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements before applying.

Candidates must:

• Apply for an eligible full-time master’s programme beginning in September.
• Hold a non-EEA or non-EFTA passport.
• Not be eligible for Dutch government student finance (Studiefinanciering).
• Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
• Have completed previous studies relevant to their intended master’s programme.

Leiden University indicates that successful applicants are generally among the top 10% of graduates from their previous degree programme. Although official class ranking documentation is not required, this benchmark illustrates the highly competitive nature of the scholarship.

Special Eligibility for UK Students

Students from the United Kingdom are eligible to apply because the UK is now considered a non-EEA country.

However, this exception does not apply to applicants who were already living in the Netherlands and registered in a Dutch municipality before 1 January 2021.

Scholarship Value

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship provides partial tuition fee support rather than full funding.

Available award levels include:

• €10,000 towards tuition fees
• €15,000 towards tuition fees
• €17,500 towards tuition fees
• €18,500 towards tuition fees
• €19,000 towards tuition fees

The award amount is determined by the university and cannot be negotiated.

Recipients should note that they remain responsible for additional study expenses, including accommodation, living costs, health insurance, travel, and other personal expenses.

International students requiring residence permits must also demonstrate sufficient financial resources during the visa application process, even if awarded the scholarship.

Scholarship Competitiveness

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is highly competitive.

Each year:

• Approximately 25 scholarships are awarded.
• More than 1,000 students submit applications.

Applicants are therefore encouraged to prepare strong academic applications and compelling scholarship motivation letters.

Application Process

Students must first complete their admission application before applying for the scholarship.

The application process involves:

• Applying online for admission to an eligible Leiden University master’s programme.
• Paying the application fee where applicable.
• Submitting the admission application.
• Returning to the scholarship section within the online application portal.
• Selecting the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS), if eligible.
• Uploading a motivation letter in PDF format.

The motivation letter must:

• Contain no more than 500 words.
• Explain why the applicant should be considered for the scholarship.
• Highlight academic excellence, motivation, career ambitions, and reasons for choosing Leiden University.

Applicants applying for multiple master’s programmes must submit a separate scholarship application and motivation letter for each programme.

Important Conditions

Applicants should carefully note several important scholarship conditions.

The scholarship:

• Cannot be awarded to students who already hold a Leiden University master’s degree, except in limited cases where a previous master’s qualification or professional experience is mandatory.
• Cannot be combined with another full external scholarship.
• May, in certain circumstances, be combined with a partial external scholarship.
• Requires recipients to accept the official scholarship terms and conditions before the award is confirmed.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Selection Process

Faculty selection committees review all eligible scholarship applications.

Following the application deadline:

• Selection takes place within approximately 10 weeks.
• Applicants receive notification of the outcome before the end of March 2027.

Only complete applications submitted before the deadline are considered during the selection process.

Application Deadline

Prospective applicants should ensure both their admission and scholarship applications are completed on time.

Key Deadline:

• Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 December 2026

Applicants are encouraged to begin the admission process early, as submitting an application for admission may take several working days before the scholarship application becomes available.

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship offers an outstanding opportunity for exceptional international students to pursue graduate education in the Netherlands while reducing tuition costs at one of Europe’s internationally recognised research universities.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the  organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official  organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.