Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Partial to full tuition scholarship for outstanding non-EEA international master's students at Leiden University (Netherlands), covering €10,000, €15,000, or €25,000 of tuition per year.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Master’s
Destination
Netherlands
Funding
Partial to full tuition scholarship: €10,000, €15,000, or €25,000 toward tuition per academic year. Does not cover living costs. Top tier (€25,000) covers full tuition for most Leiden programmes. Award level set by the faculty committee.
Eligible applicants
Non-EEA/non-EFTA students (most programmes); top 10% academic record; admitted to eligible Leiden University master's programme
Photo: Tubantia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is offered by Leiden University for Master’s study in Netherlands. Details were checked against the provider’s official page on October 11, 2026.
Application checklist
What you’ll need
The confirmed essentials for this application. Always check the official source before applying.
- University admissionMust be applying for or admitted to an eligible Leiden University master's programme; standard LLM and Leiden Law School MSc programmes excluded
- Leiden University/Studielink admissions applicationRequired
- Motivation letter (max 500 words, PDF)Required
- Academic transcriptsRequired
What this scholarship covers
Tuition grant: €10,000, €15,000, or €25,000/year
May be included
Partial to full tuition scholarship: €10,000, €15,000, or €25,000 toward tuition per academic year. Does not cover living costs. Top tier (€25,000) covers full tuition for most Leiden programmes. Award level set by the faculty committee. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Checked against the official criteria on October 11, 2026
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
No
Scholarship scope
University-specific
Last eligibility check
October 11, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Applicant group: Non-EEA and selected applicants.
- International eligibility
- Open to international applicants, except citizens of the excluded countries named by the provider.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordCompetitive
- Excellent academic results in previous studies; typically top 10% of graduating class
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- Netherlands
Official eligibility summary
Open to: Non-EEA/non-EFTA students (most programmes); top 10% academic record; admitted to eligible Leiden University master's programme. Leiden University also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
Applicant profile
- Non-EEA/non-EFTA students (most programmes); top 10% academic record; admitted to eligible Leiden University master's programme
Study route
- Master’s study in Netherlands
Current-cycle criteria
- Open to: Non-EEA/non-EFTA students (most programmes); top 10% academic record; admitted to eligible Leiden University master's programme. Leiden University also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
The required documents are summarized above. Confirm the final checklist with the official provider before you apply.
How to apply
- 1
Apply for admission to an eligible Leiden University master's programme through Studielink by December 1, 2026
- 2
In the scholarship section of the Studielink/Leiden application, indicate you are applying for the LExS
- 3
Upload a motivation letter (max 500 words PDF) explaining why you deserve the scholarship
- 4
Faculty committee evaluates and announces scholarship decisions by email
Application timeline
Application cycle
Annual; 2027/28 deadline: December 1, 2026. Scholarship application is within the Leiden admissions process (Studielink).
The listed deadline is December 1, 2026. Confirm it on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
Leiden University
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 11, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
The listed deadline is December 1, 2026. Confirm that it remains current on the official provider page.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.