TL;DR: The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) supports outstanding students joining a full-time Master’s degree programme at Leiden University (with limited exceptions). Awards contribute €10,000 to €19,000 toward tuition. For programmes starting in September 2027, both the Master’s admission application and the LExS scholarship application must be submitted by 1 December 2026. The award is competitive: Leiden University offers around 25 LExS scholarships each year.
Quick facts
- Programme: Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
- Host institution: Leiden University, the Netherlands
- Host country: Netherlands
- Level: Master’s degree (full-time)
- Intake covered by this deadline: September 2027 start
- Funding type: Partial tuition fee award (not a full scholarship)
- Award levels: €10,000; €15,000; €17,500; €18,500; or €19,000 of the tuition fee
- Places: Around 25 LExS scholarships per year
- Application deadline: 1 December 2026 (admission application and LExS application both required by this date)
- How to apply: Through Leiden University’s online Master’s admission system, then the Scholarships section for LExS
What the funding covers
According to Leiden University’s official LExS page, the scholarship is awarded for the duration of the study programme and reduces tuition at one of five fixed levels:
- €10,000 of the tuition fee
- €15,000 of the tuition fee
- €17,500 of the tuition fee
- €18,500 of the tuition fee
- €19,000 of the tuition fee
The level of an awarded LExS is final and non-negotiable. Leiden University states clearly that LExS is not a full scholarship and does not cover the full cost of study; a significant personal contribution is still required. Non-European Economic Area (EEA) recipients must still submit proof of sufficient funds for a student visa or residence permit. In some cases LExS may be combined with a partial external scholarship; it cannot be combined with another full external scholarship. Recipients must notify the Scholarships Team if they receive a full scholarship from another source.
Eligibility
Study programme
Applicants must apply for a full-time Master’s programme at Leiden University starting in September. LExS does not cover:
- Leiden Law School’s Master of Laws (LLM) (non-advanced) programmes
- Leiden Law School’s Master of Science (MSc) programmes
- Programmes that start in February
Nationality
In general, applicants must hold a non-EEA / non-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) passport and must not be eligible for Dutch student finance (Studiefinanciering). EEA/EFTA covers European Union countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Exceptions (no nationality restriction) apply for:
- All LLM Advanced Studies programmes
- MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy
United Kingdom applicants are eligible as non-EEA nationals, except those who were already living in the Netherlands and registered in their Dutch municipality’s Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen, BRP) before 1 January 2021.
Academic standard
Applicants need excellent results in previous relevant study programmes. As an indication, Leiden University describes successful candidates as among the top 10% of graduates in their previous programme. Proof of ranking is not required; the figure signals competitiveness only.
Exclusions
- Applicants who already hold a Leiden University Master’s degree (with a limited exception where a prior Master’s or work experience is mandatory for the new programme, for example some LLM Advanced Studies routes)
- Students who do not meet the nationality rules above
- Students applying for excluded Law School programmes or a February start
Faculties covered include Archaeology, Humanities, Medicine/Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Governance and Global Affairs, Law (eligible programmes only), Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Science.
Key dates
- LExS deadline for September 2027 entry: 1 December 2026
- Faculty nominations: within about 10 weeks of the LExS deadline
- Award notifications: by email before the end of March (following the deadline)
- Programme start: September 2027 (LExS does not support February starts)
Late scholarship applications are not considered. Creating and submitting a Master’s admission application can take up to three working days, so start well before 1 December 2026.
How to apply
- Apply online for admission to an eligible Master’s programme at Leiden University and pay any required application fee.
- After submitting the admission application, open the Apply screen again and select Scholarships. If you are eligible, LExS will appear in that section.
- Indicate that you want to apply for LExS and upload a motivation letter as a PDF of maximum 500 words explaining why you should be considered.
- Submit the scholarship application before the LExS deadline. After submission you cannot change it online or by emailing extra documents.
- If you apply for more than one programme or specialisation and want LExS for each, submit a separate LExS application and motivation letter inside each admission application.
If LExS does not appear under Scholarships, you have either not yet submitted the admission application, missed the deadline, or are not eligible. Awarded students must confirm in writing that they accept the LExS terms and conditions before the scholarship is granted.
FAQ
Is LExS a fully funded scholarship?
No. Official guidance states it is a tuition contribution of €10,000 to €19,000 and not a full scholarship. Living costs and remaining fees remain your responsibility.
Can European Union students apply?
Most LExS awards are for non-EEA/non-EFTA passport holders. Nationality restrictions are waived for all LLM Advanced Studies programmes and for the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy.
Do I apply separately from Master’s admission?
You apply for LExS inside the same Leiden University online application after you have submitted your Master’s admission application. Both steps must be complete by 1 December 2026 for the September 2027 intake.
How competitive is LExS?
Leiden University reports around 25 awards per year while more than a thousand students apply, so selection is highly competitive.
Official sources
- Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) official page
- Leiden University Master’s admission and application
Always confirm deadlines, eligibility, and award terms on Leiden University’s official pages before you apply, as details can change by intake.
