Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 for Master's Programs in the Netherlands

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 offers a prestigious opportunity for outstanding international students pursuing full-time Master's programs at Leiden University in the Netherlands. As one of Europe's oldest and most respected academic institutions, Leiden University provides this merit-based scholarship to alleviate the financial burden of tuition fees for highly qualified candidates. The LExS is specifically designed to support non-EEA/non-EFTA students, though certain specialized programs like Advanced LLM and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy are open to applicants of all nationalities. This competitive scholarship aims to attract individuals who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance in their prior studies, typically placing them among the top 10% of graduates. While the scholarship provides substantial tuition fee reductions, it is crucial for applicants to understand that it does not cover living expenses, travel, insurance, or other personal costs associated with studying abroad. The LExS is awarded for the entire duration of the chosen Master's program, making a world-class Dutch education more accessible.

Eligibility Criteria

• Study Programme Requirements: Applicants must be applying for a full-time Master's program at Leiden University commencing in September 2027. Excluded programs include non-advanced LLM and MSc programs at Leiden Law School, as well as any programs starting in February.

• Nationality Requirements: Generally, candidates must hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport and not be eligible for Dutch government student finance. However, all LLM Advanced Studies programs and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy are open to students of all nationalities. UK applicants are eligible unless they were already residing in the Netherlands and registered in the Dutch municipality's BRP before January 1, 2021.

• Academic Requirements: Prospective scholars must have achieved excellent academic results in their previous relevant study programs. An indicative benchmark is being among the top 10% of graduates in their prior academic pursuits, though formal proof of ranking is not mandatory.

• Exclusions: The LExS cannot be awarded to individuals who have already obtained a Master's degree from Leiden University (with exceptions for Advanced LLM where a previous Master's is a prerequisite), those applying for excluded Law programs, or programs with a February start date.

• Combining with Other Scholarships: It is not permissible to combine the LExS with another full scholarship from an external provider. Students are required to inform the scholarships department if they receive a full external scholarship. Partial external scholarships may be combined, subject to review by the Scholarships Team.

Benefits

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship offers significant tuition fee reductions, making it a highly valuable award for international students. The scholarship is structured across five distinct levels, with award amounts ranging from €10,000 to €19,000. These reductions are applied directly to the tuition fees for the full duration of the Master's program. The specific award level granted is final and non-negotiable. It is important to reiterate that the LExS is a tuition-only scholarship; it does not provide coverage for living expenses, accommodation, travel costs, health insurance, visa application fees, or the financial proof required for residence permits. Therefore, recipients should plan for a substantial personal contribution towards their overall study and living costs in the Netherlands.