Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 is now opened to recieve application from around the world. Are you an academically outstanding international student hoping to pursue a master’s degree in the Netherlands? The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) could help reduce the cost of your studies at one of Europe’s leading research universities. Applications are open for eligible students beginning a full-time master’s programme at Leiden University in September 2027. Successful candidates may receive between €10,000 and €19,000 toward their tuition fees.
About the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is a competitive tuition award offered to exceptional international students applying for selected master’s programmes. Approximately 25 scholarships are available each year, while the university receives more than 1,000 applications. Candidates should therefore submit a carefully prepared application that clearly demonstrates their academic achievements, motivation and potential. The scholarship is open to qualified applicants of all genders. Women who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive one of the following tuition-fee awards:
- €10,000
- €15,000
- €17,500
- €18,500
- €19,000
The award applies for the duration of the study programme. The amount offered by the university is final and cannot be negotiated.
Please note that the LExS is a partial scholarship. It does not cover all tuition fees or living expenses. Recipients must be prepared to make a personal financial contribution and may need to demonstrate sufficient funds when applying for a Dutch visa or residence permit.
Who can apply?
Applicants must meet the following general requirements:
Academic requirements
You should have an excellent academic record in a previous degree relevant to your chosen master’s programme.
As a general indication, competitive applicants are usually among the top 10% of graduates from their previous programme. Leiden University does not require formal proof of class ranking.
Nationality Requirements
In most cases, applicants must:
- Hold a non-EEA or non-EFTA passport; and
- Be ineligible for Dutch government student finance.
The EEA/EFTA area includes European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Nationality restrictions do not apply to applicants for:
- Advanced Studies LLM programmes; or
- The MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy.
Eligible UK nationals may also apply, subject to the conditions explained on the university’s scholarship page.
Programme requirements
Applicants must be applying for an eligible full-time Leiden University master’s programme beginning in September.
The scholarship is unavailable for:
- Non-advanced LLM programmes at Leiden Law School;
- MSc programmes at Leiden Law School; and
- Programmes beginning in February.
Applicants who have already earned a Leiden University master’s degree are generally ineligible, although limited exceptions may apply to programmes that require a previous master’s degree or relevant professional experience.
How to apply
Follow these steps to apply:
- Select an eligible programme from the university’s master’s programme directory.
- Complete your online application for admission and pay the application fee, if required.
- Submit the admission application before attempting to access the scholarship section.
- Return to the application portal and select Scholarships.
- Choose the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship.
- Upload a motivation letter in PDF format containing no more than 500 words.
- Submit the scholarship application before the deadline.
Creating and submitting an admission application may take up to three working days. Applicants should begin early and avoid waiting until the deadline.
If you apply for multiple programmes or specializations, you must submit a separate scholarship application and motivation letter for each one.
What should the motivation letter include?
Your motivation letter should explain clearly and persuasively why you deserve the award. Consider addressing:
- Your strongest academic achievements;
- Why you selected Leiden University and your particular programme;
- How the programme supports your career plans;
- The contribution you hope to make in your field or community; and
- Why receiving the scholarship would be meaningful to your academic journey.
Use specific examples and keep your writing focused. A generic statement is unlikely to stand out in such a competitive selection process.
Selection and notification
Faculty selection committees assess eligible applications and nominate scholarship recipients within approximately ten weeks of the deadline.
According to the university, applicants should receive an email informing them of the outcome before the end of March.
Important application information
- Host institution: Leiden University
- Study location: The Netherlands
- Study level: Master’s degree
- Funding: €10,000–€19,000 toward tuition
- Programme start: September 2027
- Application deadline: December 1, 2026
- Eligible applicants: Primarily non-EEA/non-EFTA students
- Application fee: May apply to the admission application
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Scholarship applications also cannot be edited after submission, so review every document carefully.
Apply now
Interested candidates should read the complete eligibility rules and application instructions on the official Leiden University Excellence Scholarship page.
Start early, strengthen your motivation letter and submit both your admission and scholarship applications by December 1, 2026.
Opportunities for Women is not the awarding institution. Scholarship conditions may change, so applicants should always verify the latest information on the official university website.
