Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 in the Netherlands is a competitive scholarship opportunity for outstanding international students who want to pursue a full-time master’s degree at Leiden University.
The scholarship is designed for academically excellent students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Successful applicants can receive a contribution toward their tuition fees, with awards ranging from €10,000 to €19,000 for the duration of the master’s programme.
The application deadline for the 2027 intake is 1 December 2026.
About the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship
The LExS is intended for excellent students joining eligible full-time master’s programmes at Leiden University.
The scholarship is available across several faculties, including:
- Archaeology
- Humanities
- Medicine/LUMC
- Governance and Global Affairs
- Law
- Social and Behavioural Sciences
- Science
However, specific programmes are excluded from the scholarship, so applicants should check whether their intended master’s programme qualifies before applying.
Scholarship Benefits
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship provides one of five possible tuition-fee awards:
- €10,000
- €15,000
- €17,500
- €18,500
- €19,000
The award is provided for the duration of the study programme.
Importantly, the LExS is not a fully funded scholarship. Leiden University explicitly states that the award does not cover the full cost of studying and that recipients should expect to make a significant personal financial contribution. Non-EEA students must also provide proof of sufficient funds for their student visa or residence permit application.
This distinction is important for prospective applicants when planning their study budget.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is primarily aimed at non-EEA/non-EFTA students applying for eligible master’s programmes beginning in September.
Applicants generally need to:
- Hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport.
- Not be eligible for Dutch government student finance.
- Apply for an eligible full-time master’s programme.
- Demonstrate excellent academic performance.
- Apply for a programme beginning in September.
There are nationality exceptions for all LLM Advanced Studies programmes and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy.
Students from the UK are also eligible to apply because the UK is classified as a non-EEA country, subject to the exception concerning individuals who were already living in the Netherlands and registered in the Dutch municipal BRP before 1 January 2021.
Academic Requirements
Academic excellence is an important part of the LExS selection process.
Applicants must have achieved excellent academic results in previous studies that are relevant to their intended master’s programme.
Leiden University indicates that, as a guideline, applicants should be among the top 10% of graduates in their previous programme. However, applicants do not need to submit formal proof of their ranking; the top-10% figure is provided to indicate the level of academic competitiveness expected.
Because the scholarship is highly competitive, strong academic performance alone may not guarantee an award.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Several categories of applicants and programmes are excluded.
The scholarship cannot normally be awarded to applicants who have already obtained a Leiden University master’s degree, except where the new programme specifically requires a previous master’s degree or relevant work experience, such as certain LLM Advanced Studies programmes.
The scholarship also cannot be awarded to students following:
- An LLM non-advanced programme at Leiden Law School
- An MSc programme at Leiden Law School
- A programme starting in February
- A programme for which the applicant does not meet the nationality requirements
In addition, the LExS cannot be combined with another full scholarship from an external provider. In some circumstances, it may be combined with a partial external scholarship, subject to confirmation from the Scholarships Team.
How to Apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship
Applicants must complete the master’s admission application before submitting the scholarship application.
Step 1: Apply for a Master’s Programme
First, submit an online application for admission to an eligible master’s programme at Leiden University.
Applicants should start early because the university notes that creating and submitting an admission application can take up to three working days.
Step 2: Access the Scholarship Section
After submitting the admission application, return to the online application and select the Scholarships section.
If the applicant is eligible, the LExS option will appear there.
Step 3: Submit the Motivation Letter
Applicants must indicate that they wish to be considered for the LExS and upload a motivation letter in PDF format.
The motivation letter must be no more than 500 words and should explain why the applicant should be considered for the scholarship.
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
The complete scholarship application must be submitted before the deadline.
Applicants cannot make changes after submitting the scholarship application or add additional documents by email.
Students applying to multiple programmes or specialisations who want LExS consideration for each must submit a separate LExS application and motivation letter within each relevant admission application.
Selection Process
Faculty selection committees nominate LExS recipients within approximately 10 weeks of the scholarship deadline.
Applicants are expected to receive an email informing them whether they have been awarded the scholarship before the end of March.
The scholarship is highly competitive. Leiden University states that it has approximately 25 LExS scholarships available each year, while more than 1,000 students apply.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 is 1 December 2026.
Late scholarship applications will not be considered. Students are responsible for ensuring that both their master’s admission application and scholarship application are submitted before the deadline.
Official scholarship information: Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Quick Facts
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) |
| Intake | September 2027 |
| Country | Netherlands |
| University | Leiden University |
| Study level | Master’s |
| Target group | Mainly non-EEA/non-EFTA students |
| Award | €10,000–€19,000 |
| Funding type | Tuition-fee contribution |
| Fully funded? | No |
| Academic standard | Excellent results; top 10% indicated |
| Application deadline | 1 December 2026 |
| Motivation letter | Maximum 500 words |
| Approx. awards available | 25 annually |
| Selection notification | Before end of March |
Final Thoughts
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 is an attractive tuition-fee scholarship for academically outstanding international students planning to pursue an eligible master’s degree in the Netherlands.
While the scholarship offers up to €19,000, applicants should remember that it is not fully funded and does not cover the complete cost of studying and living in the Netherlands. Strong academic performance, a relevant previous degree and a convincing 500-word motivation letter are important components of a competitive application.
Prospective applicants should begin their master’s admission application early and make sure both the admission and LExS applications are completed before the 1 December 2026 deadline.
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