Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) Netherlands 2027: Application Guide
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 offers high-achieving international students a prestigious opportunity to pursue Master’s degree studies at one of Europe’s premier research institutions. Designed to attract globally competitive talent, the LExS award significantly reduces tuition costs for outstanding non-EEA/EFTA students, enabling them to focus on academic excellence and career development in the Netherlands.
Designation & Academic Level
The LExS program is designated specifically for postgraduates enrolling in Master’s degree programs (MA, MSc, and Advanced LLM) offered by Leiden University.
Scholarship Overview
The table below provides key facts and details regarding the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship program:
| Host Institution | Leiden University |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Netherlands |
| Degree Level | Master’s Degree (Postgraduate) |
| Coverage Type | Partial Tuition Fee Reduction (€10,000 – €15,000 or full tuition minus statutory fee) |
| Eligible Applicants | Non-EEA/EFTA international candidates (and select nationalities for specific programs) |
| Application Status | Open for 2026/2027 academic intakes |
Location
Studies take place across the historic campuses of Leiden University located in Leiden and The Hague, Netherlands.
Scholarship Description
Founded in 1575, Leiden University is the oldest higher education institution in the Netherlands. The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is awarded to top-tier international students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement in their prior studies.
The scholarship operates across three distinct financial award tiers depending on selection committee evaluation and available faculty funding:
- €10,000 contribution toward tuition fees.
- €15,000 contribution toward tuition fees.
- Total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee (covering the vast majority of non-EEA tuition costs).
Important Note: The LExS is a partial tuition scholarship award and does not cover living expenses, health insurance, or visa fees. Non-EEA recipients must provide proof of sufficient living funds when applying for their Dutch entry visa or residence permit.
Research Area & Available Fields of Study
The LExS program is open across nearly all academic faculties and Master’s disciplines at Leiden University, including:
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Law (specifically Advanced LLM Master’s programs)
- Natural, Life, and Physical Sciences
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Economics, Governance, and Global Affairs
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Computer Science, Data Science, and Technology
Eligibility & Qualification Criteria
To qualify for consideration, candidates must satisfy the following requirements:
- Academic Performance: Candidates must have achieved outstanding academic results in their previous Bachelor’s or relevant degree program (typically placing within the top 10% of their graduating class).
- Nationality: Open primarily to non-EEA/EFTA nationals. Exception: Applicants of any nationality applying for Advanced LLM programs or the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy are eligible.
- Program Eligibility: Applicants must apply for an eligible Master’s degree program at Leiden University starting in the upcoming academic session.
Exclusions
The LExS award cannot be granted to candidates who:
- Are applying for non-advanced LLM programs.
- Have already earned a Master’s degree from Leiden University.
- Are combining this award with a full external scholarship or another Leiden University-funded award.
How to Apply
Applying for the LExS scholarship is integrated directly into the standard Leiden University online admissions process:
Step 1: Master’s Application
Submit an official online application for admission to your chosen Master’s program via the Leiden University online application portal.
Step 2: Indicate Scholarship Interest
In the scholarship section of your online application, explicitly select that you wish to apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS).
Step 3: Write and Upload Motivation Letter
Write a dedicated LExS motivation letter (maximum 500 words in PDF format) explaining why you deserve the merit-based scholarship and how your academic background prepares you for study at Leiden University. Upload this letter to the designated portal section.
Step 4: Final Submission
Submit your application prior to the scholarship application deadline. If you apply for multiple Master’s programs, you must submit a separate LExS motivation letter for each program application.
For complete details and to access the application portal, visit the Official Leiden University LExS Scholarship Page.
Last Date for Apply
Application deadlines depend on your chosen intake period and program structure:
- 1 December: Deadline for Master’s programs starting 1 February.
- 1 February: Standard deadline for Master’s programs starting 1 September.
Applicants are strongly advised to check the official portal to confirm exact deadlines for their individual faculty program.