The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) Netherlands

About Leiden University

Leiden University is contributing to a healthy, safe, and prosperous world through its different research programs. Since 1575, Leiden University is providing high-quality education to thousands of national and international students. Leiden University has ranked among the top universities by QS ranking it is in 71st place. University also offers a number of scholarships for national and international students. One of the annually announced scholarships is as follows

Excellence Scholarship

Leiden University offers excellence scholarship (LExS) to international students who want to pursue their master’s degrees. Applications open in November for the next year’s September academic session. Scholarship grant covers the tuition fee for the enrolled study program. The key points that make Leiden University Excellence Scholarship among the top selected universities are  

• Provision of world-class education

• Research-intensive institute

• Challenging education

• Career opportunities

• The high employment rate of Leiden graduates

Important Facts 

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Courses

Leiden University offers excellence scholarships for the following study fields. Scholarship grant offers for all study disciplines with the exception of LLM (non-advanced). Other study fields are as follows

• Archeology

• Humanities

• Medicine

• Governance and Global affairs  

• Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Law

• Science

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Benefits

Excellence scholarship will cover the student’s tuition fee for the master’s program. Scholarship grants will be awarded to students by following these three available levels

• € 10,000 of tuition fee

• € 15,000 of tuition fee

• Total tuition fee 

Eligibility Criteria For Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

Students who want to apply for Leiden University Excellence Scholarship have to fulfill the following eligibility requirements

Study program requirements

Applicants can apply for all study programs (masters) with the exception of LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programs at Leiden Law School.

Nationality requirements

• Non-EU nationality holders can apply for Excellence Scholarship

• All international students can apply for LLM (advanced) or for an MSc program in international relations and diplomacy

Academic requirements

• The scholarship program is highly competitive and students must have an excellent academic record in relevant subjects for which they are applying for master’s program.

• Students must be preferably among the top 10 graduates

Financial requirements

Leiden University doesn’t grant fully funded scholarships, so the students have to provide proof of available funds for the chosen master’s study program. 

How To Apply For Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

Online applications are accepted for Leiden University Excellence Scholarship, students have to follow these steps for successful submission of the application

• Apply for the master’s study program at Leiden University, and pay the application fee if required

• There will be a scholarship section in online application form, indicate there that you want to avail the scholarship

• Upload LExS motivation letter (maximum 500 words)

• Submit an online application along with online LExS application

• If applicant wants to apply for more than one study program, he/ she will submit a separate LExS scholarship application for each program.

Terms And Conditions For Excellence Scholarship

Students applying for Leiden University Excellence scholarship have to comply with the following terms and conditions 

• Applicants must have a strong academic score in previous education

• Must hold a non-EU passport

• LExS is only valid for the time period of study program

• The study period for 1-year master’s program is 12 months

• The maximum study period for the two-year program is 24 months

• Selected students have to avail of the scholarship for the current year’s program, it cannot be transferred to the next year's study program.

• In 2 year degree program, students have to obtain a minimum of 60 ECTS in the first year for continuation of the award to the 2nd year

• Students can avail of one scholarship at one time for a degree program  

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Timeline

It almost takes 6 months to display a list of eligible candidates for LExS