Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 in Netherlands provides outstanding international students with the opportunity to receive tuition fee support while pursuing a full-time Master’s degree at one of Europe’s leading research universities. The scholarship offers awards of up to €19,000 for high-achieving non-EEA/non-EFTA students applying for eligible Master’s programmes.
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 is a prestigious scholarship programme designed for academically excellent international students who wish to study a Master’s degree at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
The scholarship supports talented students from around the world by providing financial assistance toward tuition fees for selected full-time Master’s programmes. It is aimed at students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and want to continue advanced studies at one of the Netherlands’ oldest and most internationally recognized universities.
The LExS programme welcomes applications from eligible non-EEA/non-EFTA students and offers opportunities across multiple academic fields, including humanities, science, law, medicine, governance, archaeology, and social sciences.
Background & Scholarship Description
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 is available for students applying for eligible Master’s degree programmes beginning in September.
The scholarship is designed to attract exceptional international students who demonstrate academic excellence and strong potential in their chosen fields of study.
Eligible faculties include:
- Archaeology.
- Humanities.
- Medicine/LUMC.
- Governance and Global Affairs.
- Law.
- Social and Behavioural Sciences.
- Science.
The scholarship does not apply to certain programmes, including Leiden Law School’s non-advanced LLM programmes and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School.
The application deadline for the 2027 intake is:
1 December 2026
Scholarship Benefits and Funding
Successful applicants receive tuition fee support through one of five possible award levels:
- €10,000 tuition fee reduction.
- €15,000 tuition fee reduction.
- €17,500 tuition fee reduction.
- €18,500 tuition fee reduction.
- €19,000 tuition fee reduction.
The scholarship is awarded for the duration of the Master’s programme.
Applicants should note that the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is not a fully funded scholarship and does not cover all study and living expenses. Students will still need to provide additional financial resources for tuition balances, accommodation, living costs, and visa requirements.
Leiden University awards only a limited number of LExS scholarships each year, making the programme highly competitive.
Eligibility Requirements
Nationality Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport.
- Not be eligible for Dutch government student finance.
Exceptions apply to students applying for:
- Advanced LLM Studies programmes.
- MSc International Relations and Diplomacy.
Students from the United Kingdom may also be eligible because the UK is classified as a non-EEA country, subject to specific conditions.
Academic Requirements
Candidates must demonstrate excellent academic achievement from their previous studies.
Successful applicants are generally expected to have academic results placing them among the top students in their previous programme.
Applicants should have:
- A strong academic record.
- A relevant previous degree.
- Academic preparation related to the selected Master’s programme.
Proof of class ranking is not required, but academic excellence is an important selection factor.
Eligible Study Areas
The scholarship supports students pursuing advanced studies in various disciplines, including:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Students interested in:
- International relations.
- History.
- Cultural studies.
- Social sciences.
- Governance.
Science and Technology
Applicants in science-related disciplines may apply for eligible Master’s programmes involving:
- Research.
- Data analysis.
- Scientific innovation.
- Technology development.
Law and Global Affairs
Eligible applicants may pursue advanced studies related to:
- International law.
- Global policy.
- Diplomacy.
- Governance.
Medicine and Health
Students applying to eligible programmes within Leiden University Medical Center may also qualify.
Application Process
Applicants must complete the following steps:
Step 1: Apply for a Master’s Programme
Students must first submit an online application for admission to an eligible Master’s programme at Leiden University.
Applicants should begin early because preparing and submitting the admission application may take several working days.
Step 2: Apply for the Scholarship
After submitting the Master’s application:
- Return to the online application portal.
- Select the scholarship section.
- Choose the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship option if eligible.
- Upload a motivation letter.
The motivation letter must be:
- Submitted as a PDF document.
- A maximum of 500 words.
- Focused on why the applicant should be considered for the scholarship.
Step 3: Submit Before Deadline
Applicants must submit the complete scholarship application before:
1 December 2026
Late applications will not be considered.
Selection Process
Faculty selection committees review applications and nominate scholarship recipients.
The selection process considers:
- Academic excellence.
- Quality of previous studies.
- Motivation.
- Suitability for the chosen Master’s programme.
Applicants will receive notification about the scholarship decision before the end of March.
Additional Information
Students awarded the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship must agree to the scholarship terms and conditions before receiving the award.
Applicants cannot combine LExS with another full external scholarship. Students receiving other financial support must inform the university scholarship team.
The scholarship cannot be awarded to:
- Students who already obtained a Leiden University Master’s degree, except specific programmes requiring previous postgraduate study or professional experience.
- Students starting programmes in February.
- Applicants who do not meet nationality requirements.
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 in Netherlands provides an excellent opportunity for talented international students seeking high-quality postgraduate education in Europe. Students with outstanding academic records and ambitions in research, innovation, policy, science, or social development are encouraged to prepare their applications early.
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