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Leiden University
Leiden University·Netherlands

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)

Partially FundedMaster's12–24 monthsOpen · closes ~1 Feb 2027

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) offers tiered tuition fee contributions (€10k / €15k / full tuition minus EEA rate) - no living allowance. Key point: you must first receive an admission offer from Leiden before you can apply for LExS. Check which specific programmes participate, as not all Leiden Master's are eligible.

Host University

Leiden UniversityLeiden University

Quick info

Application status

Open · closes ~1 Feb 2027
Netherlands
Master's
12–24 months
Apply on official site

Opens the provider's official website

Info sourced from official providers. Always verify deadlines, requirements, and eligibility directly before applying.

What you get

  • Tier 1: €10,000 tuition fee contribution
  • Tier 2: €15,000 tuition fee contribution
  • Tier 3: Full tuition fee minus the EEA/statutory rate
  • Important: tuition contribution ONLY - no living allowance included
Monthly: €10,000 / €15,000 / full tuition minus EEA rate - tier depends on assessment

Requirements

First degree: Required
Professional experience: not specified

Detailed requirements

  • - Non-EEA nationality (EEA students are not eligible)
  • - Must already hold a conditional or unconditional admission offer from Leiden University for an eligible Master's programme
  • - Top 10% of current/most recent study programme (equivalent to ~8.0+/10 or 3.8/4.0 GPA)
  • - Excellent academic record in all prior degrees
  • - Check which Leiden programmes offer LExS at universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/scholarships

Who can apply

Non-EEA international students in the top 10% of their class who have already received a Leiden University admission offer and are applying for an eligible English-taught Master's programme.

Fields of study

All disciplines - English-taught Master's at Leiden University

Application window

Open · closes ~1 Feb 2027

Dates are based on data sourced from official providers (2025–2026 cycle). Deadlines may shift between intake years. Always verify on the official website before applying.

Important dates

Must receive a conditional or unconditional admission OFFER before applying for LExS - unlike TU Delft, you cannot apply simultaneously
Three scholarship tiers - tier assigned based on academic excellence assessment
Does not include living allowance - tuition fee contribution only
Not all Leiden MSc programmes are eligible - check the programme-specific scholarship page

How to apply

  1. 1Step 1: Apply for Master's admission at Leiden University (apply early - November or December)
  2. 2Step 2: Wait to receive a conditional or unconditional admission offer
  3. 3Step 3: Once you have an admission offer, apply separately for LExS via the Leiden scholarship portal
  4. 4Step 4: Submit transcripts showing top-10% ranking, a letter of recommendation, and a scholarship motivation statement
  5. 5Step 5: Submit the LExS application before the programme's scholarship deadline (typically February 1)
  6. 6Contact: international@leidenuniv.nl or check universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/scholarships
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Provider

Leiden University

Leiden University

Netherlands

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