Are you an outstanding international student looking to pursue a Master’s degree in the Netherlands? The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) offers high-achieving international students an opportunity to receive financial support toward tuition fees while studying at one of the Netherlands’ leading research universities.

The scholarship is offered by Leiden University and is primarily intended for excellent students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who are applying for eligible full-time Master’s programmes.

Important: The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is not a fully funded scholarship. The award contributes toward tuition fees, while students are still responsible for remaining tuition costs and living expenses.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship – Overview

The university currently lists five possible LExS award levels: €10,000, €15,000, €17,500, €18,500 and €19,000 toward tuition fees. The scholarship does not cover living costs.

What Is the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship?

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship, commonly known as LExS, is a competitive scholarship for academically excellent students who want to study a Master’s programme at Leiden University.

Leiden University describes the scholarship as being for excellent students joining eligible full-time Master’s programmes. The university also states that approximately 25 scholarships are available each year, while more than 1,000 students may apply, making the selection highly competitive.

Because the scholarship is competitive, applicants should not only meet the basic eligibility requirements but should also demonstrate strong academic performance and a convincing motivation for studying their chosen programme.

Who Can Apply?

The LExS is mainly available to students who hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport and are applying for an eligible Master’s programme at Leiden University.

For most eligible programmes, applicants should not be eligible for Dutch government student finance.

There are important nationality exceptions for:

• Advanced LLM programmes
• MSc International Relations and Diplomacy

For these programmes, the nationality restriction does not apply.

Students should always check the official scholarship page and the admission requirements for their particular Master’s programme before applying.

Academic Requirements

Academic excellence is one of the most important factors in the LExS selection process.

Leiden University indicates that applicants should have achieved excellent results in their previous degree, relevant to the Master’s programme they are applying for.

As a general indication, the university states that a successful applicant would be among approximately the top 10% of graduates in their previous programme. However, the university explains that proof of class ranking is not required; this is an indication of the academic level expected.

Strong grades, relevant academic experience and a clear motivation can therefore make an application more competitive.

Which Programmes Are Eligible?

The LExS is available for eligible Master’s programmes starting in September.

However, there are important exclusions. According to Leiden University, the scholarship is not available for:

• Master’s programmes at the Faculty of Humanities
• Non-Advanced LLM programmes at Leiden Law School
• MSc programmes at Leiden Law School
• Programmes beginning in February

There are specific exceptions for certain programmes, including Advanced LLM programmes and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy.

Because programme eligibility can change, applicants should verify their specific Master’s programme on the official Leiden University website before preparing their scholarship application.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The LExS is a tuition fee scholarship, rather than a complete financial package.

The possible awards are:

• €10,000 toward tuition fees
• €15,000 toward tuition fees
• €17,500 toward tuition fees
• €18,500 toward tuition fees
• €19,000 toward tuition fees

The amount awarded is determined by the university and is final. Students should therefore budget for any remaining tuition fees as well as accommodation, food, insurance, transportation and other living costs.

The university also states that non-EEA LExS recipients must still provide proof of sufficient funds for their student visa or residence permit application.

Is LExS Fully Funded?

No.

This is an important point for applicants. The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship does not cover all study and living expenses. It provides a contribution toward tuition fees, meaning students should have a financial plan for the costs not covered by the scholarship.

Application Deadline

For Master’s programmes starting in September, Leiden University currently lists 1 February as the LExS deadline.

For a 2027 September intake, applicants should therefore prepare for the relevant deadline listed by Leiden University for the 2027 application cycle and confirm the date on the official scholarship page before submitting.

Do not wait until the final day. Leiden University notes that creating and submitting the admission application can take several working days.

How to Apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

The LExS application is connected to your application for admission to a Master’s programme at Leiden University.

Step 1: Choose an eligible Master’s programme

First, research the Master’s programmes available at Leiden University.

Make sure that:

• You meet the academic requirements.
• Your previous degree is relevant.
• The programme is eligible for LExS.
• You meet the programme’s language requirements.
• You can meet the admission deadline.

Step 2: Apply for admission

Submit an online application for admission to your chosen Master’s programme through Leiden University’s application system.

You must submit the admission application before you can access the scholarship application option.

Leiden University recommends starting early because creating and submitting an admission application can take up to several working days.

Step 3: Go to the Scholarships section

After submitting your Master’s admission application, return to the Apply screen in your online application.

If you are eligible, you will see the LExS option in the scholarships section.

Step 4: Select the LExS

Indicate that you want to apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship.

You will then need to provide the required scholarship information and upload your motivation letter.

Step 5: Prepare your motivation letter

Applicants must upload a LExS motivation letter of a maximum of 500 words.

Your letter should explain why you should be considered for the scholarship.

A strong motivation letter should clearly communicate:

• Your academic achievements
• Why you selected Leiden University
• Why you selected your Master’s programme
• Your academic and professional goals
• How the programme fits into your future plans
• Why you are a strong candidate for the scholarship

Avoid simply repeating information already contained in your CV. Use the limited word count to explain your motivation and what makes you a strong candidate.

Step 6: Submit before the deadline

After completing the scholarship application, submit it before the official deadline.

Leiden University states that late scholarship applications are not considered. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that both the admission application and scholarship application are submitted on time.

Documents You May Need

The exact admission documents depend on your chosen Master’s programme.

Applicants should generally prepare documents such as:

• Academic transcripts
• Previous degree certificate
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter
• Proof of English proficiency, where required
• Passport or identification document
• Other programme-specific documents

For the LExS itself, the university specifically requires the scholarship motivation letter, with a maximum length of 500 words.

Always check the admission requirements of your selected programme because requirements can differ between Master’s programmes.

Selection Process

The LExS is highly competitive.

After the deadline, faculty selection committees assess the applications and nominate scholarship recipients.

Leiden University states that faculty selection committees nominate recipients within approximately six weeks of the LExS deadline. Applicants are notified by email about whether they have received the scholarship at the end of April.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an award.

Can You Combine LExS With Another Scholarship?

Applicants should be careful when receiving other scholarships.

Leiden University states that the LExS cannot be combined with another full scholarship from an external provider.

In some circumstances, a partial external scholarship may be combined with LExS, but students should contact Leiden University’s Scholarships Team for confirmation before accepting another scholarship.

Important Tips for Applicants

1. Start early

Do not wait until the deadline. You need time to prepare your admission application, documents and scholarship motivation letter.

2. Check your programme carefully

Not every Master’s programme is eligible for LExS. Check your specific programme before applying.

3. Focus on academic excellence

Because the scholarship is highly competitive, strong academic results are important.

4. Write a specific motivation letter

Explain why you are a strong candidate rather than using a generic scholarship statement.

5. Plan your finances

Remember that LExS does not cover all expenses. You should plan for remaining tuition fees and living costs.

6. Use official information

Scholarship deadlines and programme requirements can change. Always confirm the latest information directly with Leiden University before submitting your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship fully funded?

No. LExS is not a fully funded scholarship. It provides a contribution toward tuition fees, with awards ranging from €10,000 to €19,000. Living expenses are not covered by the scholarship.

Who can apply for LExS?

The scholarship is mainly intended for excellent students with non-EEA/non-EFTA nationality who are applying for eligible full-time Master’s programmes at Leiden University. Some programmes, such as Advanced LLM programmes and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy, have different nationality rules.

What is the LExS deadline?

For Master’s programmes starting in September, Leiden University currently lists 1 February as the LExS deadline. Applicants should confirm the exact deadline for their intended intake on the official website.

Do I need to apply for admission first?

Yes. You must first apply for admission to an eligible Master’s programme. After submitting the admission application, the LExS option should appear in the scholarship section of your online application if you are eligible.

How long should the LExS motivation letter be?

The motivation letter must be a PDF of no more than 500 words.

Is IELTS required for LExS?

The scholarship itself does not establish one universal English-language requirement. English-language requirements are determined by the Master’s programme. Applicants should check the specific requirements of their chosen programme.

How competitive is the scholarship?

Very competitive. Leiden University states that it has around 25 LExS scholarships available each year and receives more than 1,000 applications.

Can I apply for more than one Master’s programme?

You may apply for multiple programmes, but if you want to be considered for LExS for each eligible programme, Leiden University states that you must submit a separate LExS application and motivation letter within each separate admission application.

Official Application Link

Applicants should use Leiden University’s official website and online application system rather than third-party scholarship websites.

Official Leiden University Excellence Scholarship information and application instructions:

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) – Official Page

You can also visit Leiden University’s official website to explore eligible Master’s programmes before starting your application.

Leiden University – Official Website

Final Thoughts

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship in the Netherlands can be an excellent opportunity for academically strong international students who want to pursue a Master’s degree at Leiden University.

However, applicants should understand that LExS is not a fully funded scholarship. Its main benefit is a substantial contribution toward tuition fees, while students remain responsible for other study and living expenses.

If you are considering applying for the 2027 intake, start preparing your academic documents, research your Master’s programme and work carefully on your scholarship motivation letter well before the deadline.

Most importantly, always verify the latest eligibility requirements and deadline on the official Leiden University website before submitting your application.