Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
- Funding
- €10,000 to €19,000 off tuition a year, for the length of the programme
- Deadline
- 1 Dec 2026
- Country
- Netherlands
- Study level
- Master’s
- Provider
- Leiden University
Deadline: 1 December 2026. Apply for admission first, then submit the scholarship application in the same online system; late applications are not considered.
About this scholarship
Around 25 scholarships a year for excellent non-EEA students starting a full-time master’s at Leiden University in September (all nationalities for the Advanced LLMs and the MSc International Relations and Diplomacy).
- Applicant stage
- Future students
Eligibility criteria
- Applicants must have a non-EEA/non-EFTA* passport, and may not be eligible for student finance via the Dutch government (Studiefinanciering)
- Students must have achieved excellent academic results in their previous study programme(s), which must be relevant to the Master's programme for which they are applying.
Value of the award
- The LExS is awarded for the duration of the study programme.
- There are five available levels of awards: € 10,000 of the tuition fee € 15,000 of the tuition fee € 17,500 of the tuition fee € 18,500 of the tuition fee € 19,000 of the tuition fee
Fields of study
All subjects
Application process
Upload a LExS motivation letter (PDF, max. 500 words) explaining why you would like to be considered for the award.
Frequently asked questions
What does this scholarship cover?
The LExS is awarded for the duration of the study programme.; There are five available levels of awards: € 10,000 of the tuition fee € 15,000 of the tuition fee € 17,500 of the tuition fee € 18,500 of the tuition fee € 19,000 of the tuition fee
Which study levels and subjects does it support?
Master’s. Fields: All subjects. Check course-specific restrictions with the provider.
When is the application deadline?
Deadline: 1 December 2026. Apply for admission first, then submit the scholarship application in the same online system; late applications are not considered.
Where can I see the required documents?
Open the Documents tab for items mentioned in this record and preparation guidance. The official application instructions contain the complete list.