Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 | Master’s Scholarship in the Netherlands

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027. The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 is now accepting applications from outstanding international students who wish to pursue a Master’s degree at one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities. This highly competitive scholarship provides partial tuition support of up to €19,000, helping talented students reduce the cost of studying in the Netherlands.

Every year, thousands of students dream of studying in Europe because of its high-quality education, internationally recognised qualifications, and excellent career opportunities. However, tuition fees can be a significant obstacle for many international students. To help attract exceptional talent from around the world, Leiden University offers the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) to students with outstanding academic records.

Although the scholarship does not cover the full cost of studying, it offers substantial financial assistance and provides recipients with the opportunity to join one of the world’s leading research universities.

If you are an academically outstanding student planning to pursue a Master’s degree in the Netherlands, this scholarship is an opportunity worth exploring.

About Leiden University

Founded in 1575, Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is internationally recognised for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and innovation.

The university consistently ranks among Europe’s top higher education institutions and welcomes thousands of international students from over 100 countries.

Leiden University offers a wide range of Master’s programmes across disciplines including science, humanities, medicine, law, archaeology, governance, international relations, psychology, and social sciences.

Students benefit from:

• World-class teaching
• Modern research facilities
• International learning environment
• Strong academic reputation
• Excellent career opportunities after graduation

About the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is awarded to academically outstanding international students enrolling in eligible full-time Master’s programmes.

The scholarship aims to attract exceptional students from around the world while promoting academic excellence and diversity across the university community.

Only a limited number of scholarships are awarded each year, making the programme extremely competitive.

Applicants should therefore ensure that every part of their application is carefully prepared.

Scholarship Value

Unlike fully funded scholarships, the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship provides a contribution towards tuition fees.

Successful applicants may receive one of the following award amounts:

• €10,000
• €15,000
• €17,500
• €18,500
• €19,000

The scholarship amount awarded is determined by the university and cannot be negotiated.

Recipients should note that the scholarship does not cover all study expenses, meaning students should plan for additional costs such as accommodation, transportation, food, books, insurance, and personal expenses.

International students must also demonstrate sufficient financial resources when applying for their Dutch student visa or residence permit.

Eligible Master’s Programmes

The scholarship is available for most full-time Master’s programmes beginning in September 2027.

However, there are some exceptions.

The scholarship is not available for:

• Non-Advanced LLM programmes at Leiden Law School
• MSc programmes offered by Leiden Law School
• Master’s programmes beginning in February

Students should verify that their chosen programme qualifies before submitting an application.

Who Can Apply?

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 is intended primarily for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Eligible applicants must:

• Hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport.
• Be applying for admission into an eligible Master’s programme.
• Meet all admission requirements for the chosen programme.
• Demonstrate outstanding academic performance.
• Not be eligible for Dutch government student finance.

Special Exceptions

Nationality restrictions do not apply to applicants for:

• Advanced LLM programmes
• MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy

These programmes are open to applicants of all nationalities.

Applicants from the United Kingdom are also eligible under the current scholarship rules, provided they meet the stated conditions.

Academic Requirements

The scholarship is highly competitive and targets only the strongest applicants.

Successful candidates are generally expected to:

• Have achieved excellent academic results.
• Be among the top 10% of graduates in their previous degree programme.
• Hold qualifications relevant to their chosen Master’s programme.

Although applicants are not required to provide official proof of class ranking, the university uses this benchmark to indicate the expected level of competitiveness.

Scholarship Conditions

Students awarded the scholarship must accept and comply with all scholarship terms and conditions.

Recipients should understand that:

• The scholarship cannot normally be combined with another full external scholarship.
• Partial external scholarships may sometimes be combined, subject to university approval.
• Students must notify the university if they receive funding from another organisation.

Applicants who have already completed a Master’s degree at Leiden University are generally not eligible, except in specific circumstances where a previous Master’s qualification is required for admission.

Why Study at Leiden University?

Leiden University attracts ambitious students from around the world because of its outstanding academic reputation.

Students benefit from:

• Globally recognised degrees
• International faculty members
• Research-focused education
• Strong graduate employment prospects
• Modern teaching facilities
• Diverse student community
• Access to European career opportunities

Graduating from Leiden University can significantly strengthen your academic profile and future career prospects.

How to Apply

Applying for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 involves several important steps.

Step 1: Apply for Admission

Submit an online application for an eligible Master’s programme at Leiden University.

If required, pay the applicable application fee.

Applicants should submit their admission application well before the scholarship deadline because processing can take several working days.

Step 2: Access the Scholarship Section

Once your admission application has been successfully submitted, return to your application portal.

Eligible applicants will see the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship listed in the scholarships section.

If the scholarship does not appear, you may not yet have completed your admission application or you may not meet the eligibility requirements.

Step 3: Upload Your Motivation Letter

Applicants must upload a motivation letter in PDF format.

The letter:

• Must not exceed 500 words
• Should explain why you deserve the scholarship
• Should highlight your academic achievements, career goals, and motivation for studying at Leiden University

A well-written motivation letter can significantly strengthen your application.

Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline

Review your application carefully before submission.

Once submitted, changes cannot be made, and additional documents cannot be sent by email.

Applicants applying for more than one Master’s programme must submit a separate scholarship application for each programme.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by faculty selection committees.

Scholarship recipients are normally selected within 10 weeks after the application deadline.

All applicants receive notification by email before the end of March.

Due to the large number of applications received each year, competition is extremely high.

Leiden University awards only around 25 scholarships annually, while more than 1,000 students typically apply.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline:

1 December 2026

Late or incomplete scholarship applications are not accepted, so applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their documents well in advance.

Why You Should Apply

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 offers exceptional students the opportunity to study at one of Europe’s leading universities while reducing tuition costs.

Successful applicants gain:

• Financial support of up to €19,000
• Access to world-class education
• International academic experience
• Opportunities to build a global professional network
• Improved career prospects after graduation

Although highly competitive, this scholarship can significantly reduce the financial burden of studying in the Netherlands.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete their admission application and scholarship application through the official Leiden University website.

Official Application Portal:

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/scholarships/sea/leiden-university-excellence-scholarship-lexs

Final Thoughts

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 is an outstanding opportunity for academically talented international students who dream of pursuing a Master’s degree in the Netherlands. With generous tuition fee support, access to a prestigious university, and an internationally respected qualification, this scholarship can be a valuable stepping stone toward a successful academic and professional future.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, begin preparing your application early and submit all required documents before the deadline.

 

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