Dreaming of earning a master’s degree from Europe’s top-tier academic institutions? The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 (LExS) presents an exceptional funding opportunity for high-achieving international students looking to study in the Netherlands. Established in 1575, Leiden University is the oldest institution of higher education in the Netherlands and a renowned member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU). The prestigious LExS award helps non-EEA/non-EFTA scholars reduce their tuition burdens significantly, allowing them to focus on intellectual development and global career building.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 2027 application cycle: deadlines, tuition award levels, eligibility requirements, step-by-step application instructions, realistic monthly living expenses, and expert tips to secure your award.

Basic Information About the LExS Scholarship 2027

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a highly competitive, merit-based tuition discount award granted to top-tier international students admitted to Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), and Master of Laws (LLM) Advanced programs.

• Host Institution: Leiden University
• Host Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱
• Degree Level: Master’s Programs (1-year and 2-year full-time tracks)
• Target Group: Exceptional non-EEA/non-EFTA international students (with specific program exemptions for all nationalities).
• Application Cycle Opens: Early September 2026
• Deadline:1 December 2026
• Target group: Excellent non-EEA/non-EFTA students

University/Institution Details: The Leiden Experience

Leiden University is recognized worldwide for its cutting-edge research, international law programs, and vibrant student community. Spread across two historic Dutch cities—Leiden and The Hague (the international city of peace and justice)—the university hosts over 30,000 students from more than 120 nations.

Studying at Leiden means immersing yourself in centuries of intellectual history while benefiting from world-class laboratories, specialized libraries, and tight-knit faculty networks. The teaching style emphasizes active group discussion, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving.

Study Areas & Available Programs

The LExS award applies to almost all full-time Master’s programs starting in September across seven primary faculties:

• Faculty of Archaeology: World Archaeology, Heritage Management, Digital Archaeology.
• Faculty of Humanities: International Relations, History, Philosophy, Linguistics, Area Studies (Asian, Middle Eastern, European).
• Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (The Hague): Public Administration, Crisis and Security Management, Global Affairs.
• Faculty of Science: Computer Science, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Data Science, Astronomy, Physics.
• Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences: Cultural Anthropology, Political Science, Psychology, Education and Child Studies.
• Leiden Law School: LLM Advanced Studies Programs (e.g., Public International Law, International Children’s Rights, Air and Space Law).
• Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC): Vitality and Ageing, Biomedical Sciences.

Important Exclusions: The LExS scholarship does not apply to standard (non-advanced) LLM and standard MSc programs at Leiden Law School, joint-degree programs with partner institutions, or any study program starting in February.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Benefits: What is Funded?

The LExS is awarded as a tuition fee waiver, directly applied to your tuition invoice. The Leiden University selection committees assign five levels of tuition reduction based on academic merit

• Tuition fee reduction: €10,000–€19,000.
  • Tier 1: €10,000 towards tuition fees.
  • Tier 2: €15,000 towards tuition fees.
  • Tier 3: €17,500 towards tuition fees.
  • Tier 4: €18,500 towards tuition fees.
  • Tier 5: €19,000 towards tuition fees
• Available for the full duration of the Master’s programme.
  • 1-year Master’s → up to 12 months
  • 2-year Master’s → up to 24 months
• It can significantly reduce your tuition cost.
• Important: It is not a full scholarship.
• It does not cover living expenses, travel, accommodation, or all tuition fees.
• You still need to show sufficient funds for your student visa/residence permit.

Benefits Not Included

Because LExS is a partial tuition scholarship, recipients must be prepared to cover remaining expenses:

• Remaining Tuition Fees: Any remaining balance between the award amount and full non-EEA tuition rates (which range from €19,000 to €23,000+ per year).
• Living Allowance/Stipend: Rent, groceries, transport, and daily living expenses are not covered.
• Visa/Residence Permit Fees: Costs associated with immigration processing via the Dutch Immigration Service (IND).
• Health Insurance: Mandatory Dutch public or private international student health insurance.
• Airfare: Travel to and from the Netherlands.

Visa Requirement Notice: Non-EEA applicants must provide “Proof of Sufficient Funds” (approx. €15,000–€16,000 per year) to the Dutch immigration authority to secure a student visa, regardless of winning a LExS award.

Eligibility Criteria for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

You generally need to:

• Be applying for a full-time Master’s programme at Leiden University.
• Have a relevant Bachelor’s/previous degree.
• Have excellent academic results, approximately top 10% of your graduating class.
• Have a non-EEA/non-EFTA nationality.
• Not be eligible for Dutch government student finance.
• Apply for an eligible Master’s programme starting in September.
• Submit a maximum 500-word LExS motivation letter.
• Apply before the 1 December 2026 deadline.
• For a 120-ECTS / 2-year programme:
  • You must complete at least 60 ECTS in the first year to keep the scholarship for the second year.
  • The scholarship can cover a maximum of 24 months.
• For a 1-year Master’s:
  • The maximum scholarship period is 12 months.

Not eligible if:

• You are applying for an LLM (non-advanced) or an MSc at Leiden Law School.
• Master’s programmes starting in February
• You already have a Master’s degree from Leiden University, except certain programmes where a previous Master’s/work experience is required.
• You receive another full scholarship for the same programme.

Other important conditions

• You must maintain full-time student status.
• You cannot normally transfer the scholarship to another academic year or intake.
• If you change your programme, continuation of the scholarship is not guaranteed.
• If you receive another full scholarship, you must inform Leiden University.
• If you stop your studies, you must immediately inform the university’s scholarship team.
• LExS recipients are expected to actively promote the scholarship during their studies.
• Non-EEA students must still provide proof of sufficient funds for their Dutch student visa/residence permit.

Required Documents for the Application

All documents must be uploaded through Leiden University’s official portal (uSis) during your program admission process:

• Copy of Valid Passport: Photo page proving non-EEA citizenship.
• Official Transcripts & Degree Certificates: Certified English or Dutch translations of all university records.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Highlighting academic achievements, publications, leadership experience, and volunteer efforts.
• English Language Proficiency Certificate: IELTS Academic (minimum 6.5–7.0) or TOEFL iBT (minimum 90–100), depending on your faculty’s entry requirement.
• LExS Letter of Motivation (Crucial Document): A standalone Word/PDF document of maximum 500 words specifically explaining why you merit the LExS award.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)

To avoid missing tight deadlines, follow this exact application workflow:

1. Apply online for admission to your chosen Master’s programme at Leiden University.
2. Pay the application fee, if applicable.
3. After submitting the admission application, go back to the Scholarships section.
4. Select LExS if you are eligible.
5. Upload a motivation letter of maximum 500 words explaining why you deserve the scholarship.
6. Submit the scholarship application before 1 December 2026.

Important: You cannot change your scholarship application after submitting it.

If you apply for multiple Master’s programmes

• You must submit a separate LExS application and motivation letter for each programme you apply to.

After receiving the scholarship

• You must accept the scholarship through the university’s uSis scholarship portal before the given deadline.
• You must comply with the scholarship’s terms and conditions.
• You cannot normally combine LExS with another full scholarship.
• A partial external scholarship may sometimes be combined, but you need written permission from Leiden University.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Max Out the 500-Word Limit: Your LExS motivation letter is short. Do not summarize your entire CV. Instead, focus on your single biggest academic milestone, your specific research ambitions at Leiden, and your long-term career goals.
• Apply Well Before the Deadline: Creating an account in uSis can take up to 3 working days before the “Scholarships” tab unlocks. Submitting on November 30 risks missing the December 1 cutoff.
• Align with Faculty Priorities: Research the specific faculty research groups and professors at Leiden. Demonstrating how your research background aligns with faculty specializations makes your file stand out.
• Ensure Perfect Language Quality: Have a native English editor or trusted academic advisor proofread your motivation essay for tone, conciseness, and clarity.

Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in Netherlands

While LExS handles tuition discounts, you need a clear budget for living costs. Below is a realistic monthly cost estimation for living in Leiden or The Hague, converted to USD ($):

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (USD)	Notes
Accommodation / Rent	$800 – $1,300	University housing or private sector student apartments
Food & Groceries	$300 – $450	Shopping at discount supermarkets (Lidl, Albert Heijn)
Local Transport	$60 – $100	Buying a second-hand bicycle significantly reduces transport costs
Health & Liability Insurance	$110 – $150	Mandatory international student coverage (e.g., AON or Loomish)
Books & Academic Materials	$50 – $90	Digital resources, lab equipment, and specialized texts
Personal & Social Life	$200 – $350	Dining out, sports memberships, and exploring Western Europe
Total Estimated Expenses	$1,520 – $2,440 / month	Required proof of living funds for Dutch Visa (IND)

Why Choose the LExS Scholarship? (5 Core Reasons)

1. Significant Financial Relief: Winning up to €19,000 drastically lowers tuition barriers for non-EEA students seeking European higher education.
2. Prestigious Academic Branding: Being named a Leiden University Excellence Scholar enhances your resume, Signaling elite academic caliber to future employers and PhD programs.
3. Study at Europe’s Capital of International Law: Located near The Hague, legal, political science, and diplomacy students gain unprecedented access to global courts and international organizations.
4. Exceptional Graduate Employability: Leiden graduates enjoy high placement rates across multinational organizations, EU institutions, non-profits, and research labs worldwide.
5. Multicultural Environment: With over 120 nationalities on campus, you will learn alongside global peers in an open, inclusive, and forward-thinking European setting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is LExS a fully funded scholarship?

No, LExS is a partial tuition scholarship. It covers a portion of your tuition fees (up to €19,000). Recipients must finance remaining tuition fees and all living expenses.

Can I combine LExS with another scholarship?

No, the LExS cannot be combined with full external scholarships (e.g., Netherlands Fellowship Programmes). However, minor grants or self-funding can be combined to cover remaining living expenses.

Do I need to submit official class rank documentation?

No. While Leiden states candidates should belong to the top 10% of their class, official class rank certificates are not mandatory. Selection committees evaluate your overall academic transcript performance.

What happens if I defer my study program to the next year?

LExS awards are non-transferable. If you decide to defer your admission to a subsequent academic year or intake, your scholarship award will be revoked, and you must reapply during the next cycle.

How competitive is it?

• Around 25 scholarships are available each year.
• More than 1,000 students may apply.
• Therefore, it is a highly competitive scholarship.

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