Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) In Netherlands 2027 (Funded)
Overview
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 is a merit-based award for international students starting a Master's degree at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Leiden was founded in 1575 and is the oldest university in the country. The scholarship is awarded for the full length of the chosen Master's programme and covers nearly all programmes at the university.
It is a partial scholarship, not a full one, and comes at three levels: €10,000 toward the tuition fee, €15,000 toward the tuition fee, or the total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee. Non-EEA recipients must still provide proof of sufficient funds for their student visa or residence permit.
Who can apply
The scholarship is open to non-EEA and non-EFTA citizens applying for a Master's programme at Leiden. All programmes are eligible except non-advanced LLM programmes. Students enrolling in the LLM or MSc Advanced Studies programme in International Relations and Diplomacy are eligible regardless of nationality, and UK students should check additional nationality-specific notes on the university's scholarship page. Candidates must have excellent results in their previous studies.
Fields covered include humanities and social sciences, law (Advanced LLM studies), natural and life sciences, international relations and diplomacy, economics and business, medicine and health sciences, and computer science and technology.
The following are not eligible: students combining LExS with another full scholarship from an external provider or another Leiden University-funded scholarship, students who already hold a Master's degree from Leiden, and students on a non-advanced LLM programme.
How to apply
The scholarship application is part of the standard Master's admission process. Applicants apply online for admission to their chosen programme, paying the application fee where applicable, and indicate in the scholarship section that they wish to be considered for LExS. They then upload a PDF motivation letter of no more than 500 words explaining why they should receive the award.
The complete application, including the letter, must be submitted before the LExS deadline. Applicants applying to several Master's programmes who want LExS funding for each must indicate this in every application and upload a separate motivation letter for each.