Leiden University Excellence Scholarship LExS 2027

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship LExS 2027 supports outstanding non-EEA students who plan to start a master’s programme in the Netherlands. The award provides a substantial tuition fee contribution for September 2027 entry at one of Europe’s oldest universities.

Overview of Leiden University Excellence Scholarship LExS 2027

Leiden University offers this competitive scholarship to excellent applicants. Only about 25 awards go out each year from a large pool of candidates. The scholarship links directly to the master’s admission application so both processes run together.

Furthermore, faculty selection committees review nominations after the deadline. Results arrive before the end of March for September starters. This timeline helps applicants plan their next steps clearly.

Benefits

• Tuition fee contribution of €10,000, €15,000, €17,500, €18,500 or €19,000
• Award covers the full duration of the master’s programme
• Recognition of high academic achievement at a top Dutch university

Living expenses remain the student’s responsibility. Proof of sufficient funds is still required for visa purposes. The scholarship does not cover travel or daily living costs.

Eligibility

• Non-EEA or non-EFTA nationality (exceptions for Advanced LLMs and MSc International Relations and Diplomacy)
• Excellent academic results, typically top 10 percent of previous programme
• Application to an eligible full-time master’s starting in September 2027
• No previous Leiden master’s degree in most cases

Regular LLM (non-advanced) and certain MSc programmes at Leiden Law School are excluded. UK students remain eligible after Brexit. Check the official list for any faculty-specific rules.

Before you commit, the Cost calculator adds up tuition, living costs, insurance and flights for your whole study period, and shows how much a scholarship would still leave you to fund.

Deadline and How to Apply

The main deadline for September 2027 entry is 1 December 2026. Some advanced programmes have later dates so confirm yours early.

Submit your master’s admission application through the official Leiden portal and include the LExS motivation letter (maximum 500 words) within the same form. Start early because application processing can take a few days. Explain your academic strengths and reasons for choosing Leiden.

Official information: Leiden University Excellence Scholarship.

Therefore check the current faculty rules and prepare a strong motivation letter. Explore other Netherlands scholarships on this site for additional options that may complement your plans.

If you are not sure which scholarships you qualify for, the Eligibility checker compares your nationality, study level, grades and English score with each scholarship's published rules.