Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a study scholarship from Leiden University for excellent students joining a full-time Leiden University Master’s degree programme, with the exception of LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School. The scholarship type is listed as “Study”.

It targets applicants for Master’s programmes at Leiden University starting in September across faculties including Archaeology, Humanities, Medicine/LUMC, Governance and Global Affairs, Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Science. Nationality requirements apply for non-EEA/non-EFTA passport holders, with exceptions for all nationalities for Advanced LLMs and MSc International Relations and Diplomacy.

Selection is handled by faculty selection committees, which nominate LExS recipients within 10 weeks of the LExS deadline. All applicants receive an email notifying them whether they have been awarded a LExS before the end of March.

The LExS is awarded for the duration of the study programme. Students who are granted a LExS must comply with and confirm in writing their agreement with the Terms and conditions attached to the scholarship prior to awarding. The LExS is not a full scholarship and does not cover the full cost of studies; non-EEA recipients must submit proof of sufficient funds for a student visa/residence permit application.

• Applicant must join a full-time Leiden University Master’s degree programme.
• Excluded programmes: LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School.
• Programme start must be September.
• Programme requirements: applicants must apply for all Master’s programmes at Leiden University starting in September, with the stated exclusions for Leiden Law School LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes.
• Nationality requirement: applicants must have a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport.
• Exception to nationality restriction: all nationalities for Advanced LLMs and MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy.
• Student finance restriction: applicants may not be eligible for student finance via the Dutch government (Studiefinanciering), with exceptions for Advanced LLM programmes and MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy (for which no nationality restrictions apply).
• Academic requirement: students must have achieved excellent academic results in previous study programmes that are relevant to the Master’s programme applied for.
• Academic indicator: applicants are amongst the top 10% of graduates in their previous study programme.
• Proof requirement: proof of ranking is not required; the top 10% statement is for competitiveness indication.
• Prior degree exclusion: scholarships cannot be awarded to applicants who have already obtained a Leiden University Master’s degree, except when a specified previous Master programme or work experience is mandatory for the Master programme (e.g., LLM Advanced Studies programmes).
• Start date exclusion: scholarships cannot be awarded for a study programme starting in February.
• Combination restriction: LExS cannot be combined with another full scholarship from an external provider; students must notify the scholarships department if they receive a full scholarship elsewhere. The page also indicates that in some circumstances it may be combined with a partial scholarship from an external provider (contact Scholarships Team for details).
• Visa funds requirement: non-EEA LExS recipients must submit proof of sufficient funds for the student visa/residence permit application.
• LLM and MSc exclusion detail: scholarships cannot be awarded to students who will follow an LLM (non-advanced) or MSc programme at Leiden Law School.
• Eligible target level: Master.

• Tuition fee award levels (selected one if awarded): € 10,000; € 15,000; € 17,500; € 18,500; € 19,000.
• Award duration: awarded for the duration of the study programme.
• The scholarship is not a full scholarship and does not cover the full cost of studies.
• Non-EEA recipients must still submit proof of sufficient funds for their student visa/residence permit application.

1. Apply online for admission to a Master’s programme at Leiden University and pay the application fee if applicable.
2. Allow up to 3 working days to create/submit an admission application, and start before the LExS deadline.
3. After submitting the admission application, return to the Apply screen in the online application and click on Scholarships.
4. If eligible, the LExS will be visible in the scholarships section.
5. Indicate that you want to apply for the LExS, then upload an LExS motivation letter (PDF, max 500 words) explaining why you would like to be considered.
6. Submit the scholarship application before the LExS deadline.
7. After submitting the scholarship application, you cannot make changes to it online or by sending additional items by email.
8. If applying for more than one study programme/specialisation and wish to apply for a LExS for each, submit a separate LExS application and motivation letter within each separate online admission application.

• LExS motivation letter (PDF, max 500 words).