Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) In Netherlands 2027 (Funded)

Applications are now open for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 — one of the most prestigious Master’s scholarships in the Netherlands for international students and a highly competitive award designed to attract brilliant, high-achieving global learners to one of Europe’s oldest and most respected research institutions. For students who have been exploring student loans for Master’s study in Europe or comparing education financing options for international students in the Netherlands, the LExS Scholarship offers a substantial tuition fee reduction of €10,000 to €15,000 — significantly lowering the overall cost of postgraduate study in the Netherlands without requiring students to take on international tuition debt.

The Leiden Excellence Scholarship 2027 stands out among high-value European scholarships for international students not only for its financial support but also for the academic prestige it carries. Leiden University — founded in 1575 and recognized as the oldest university in the Netherlands — is renowned worldwide for its academic excellence, influential research contributions, and outstanding international student environment. A scholarship from this institution carries genuine career advancement value and opens doors to top-tier professional and academic opportunities in Europe that can significantly boost long-term earning potential and career prospects for international graduates.

What makes the LExS Scholarship 2027 particularly attractive is its wide disciplinary coverage — spanning virtually all Master’s degree programs at Leiden University — combined with its accessibility to students from all international backgrounds, making it one of the most globally inclusive merit-based scholarships at a Dutch university for the 2027 intake.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 – Quick Overview

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Scholarship Award Amounts

The LExS Scholarship 2027 is awarded for the full duration of the chosen Master’s program and is available at three distinct financial levels — giving students flexibility in how much of their tuition financing gap is covered:

• €10,000 toward the tuition fee
• €15,000 toward the tuition fee
• Total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee — the highest award level, covering the vast majority of tuition costs and making this one of the most valuable partial tuition scholarships in the Netherlands for international students

It is important to note that the LExS is not a full scholarship — non-EEA recipients must still submit proof of sufficient funds for their student visa or residence permit application. Students should therefore factor the remaining tuition balance and living costs into their overall financial planning, which may still involve exploring student savings, family financial support, or supplementary study abroad funding options.

Exclusions

The following candidates are not eligible for the LExS Scholarship:

Students combining LExS with another full scholarship from an external provider

Students who have already obtained a Master’s degree from Leiden University

Students enrolled in a non-advanced LLM program at Leiden University

Students combining LExS with another Leiden University-funded scholarship

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Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Study Program Requirements:

• Candidates must be applying for a Master’s program at Leiden University — all programs are eligible except non-advanced LLM programs
• Students enrolling in the LLM or MSC Advanced Studies program in International Relations and Diplomacy are eligible regardless of nationality

Nationality Requirements:

• Open to non-EEA/EFTA citizens applying for a Master’s degree at Leiden University
• UK students should check additional nationality-specific notes on the official Leiden University scholarship page

Academic Requirements:

• Students must have achieved excellent academic results in their previous study program — the LExS is a merit-based award, and only the strongest academic candidates are selected

Given the highly competitive nature of this scholarship, applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure their academic transcripts reflect consistently strong performance and that their motivation letter is carefully crafted to demonstrate genuine academic ambition and alignment with Leiden University’s research culture.

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Available Fields of Study

The LExS Scholarship is open across the full range of Master’s programs at Leiden University — one of Europe’s most academically diverse universities — covering disciplines including:

• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Law — for Advanced LLM Studies (non-advanced LLM programs are excluded)
• Natural and Life Sciences — relevant for students researching fully funded science scholarships in the Netherlands
• International Relations and Diplomacy
• Economics and Business — ideal for students exploring Master’s scholarships for business and economics in Europe
• Medicine and Health Sciences — relevant for students seeking health science scholarships in the Netherlands
• Computer Science and Technology

This broad disciplinary coverage makes the Leiden Excellence Scholarship accessible to students from virtually any academic background — a key advantage compared to many European scholarships that restrict funding to specific fields.

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Application Process

The application process for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 is fully integrated into the standard Leiden University Master’s admissions process — making it straightforward for international applicants to apply for both admission and the scholarship simultaneously:

Step 1 — Apply Online for Master’s Admission:
Submit an online application for admission to your chosen Master’s program at Leiden University through the official admissions portal. Pay the application fee where applicable.

Step 2 — Indicate LExS Interest:
Within the scholarship section of your online application, clearly indicate that you wish to be considered for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS).

Step 3 — Upload Your LExS Motivation Letter:
Prepare and upload a PDF motivation letter of maximum 500 words explaining clearly and compellingly why you wish to be considered for the LExS award. This letter is a critical part of the selection process — a well-written, specific, and academically focused motivation letter can significantly strengthen your application in a competitive field.

Step 4 — Submit Before the LExS Deadline:
Submit your complete online application — including the LExS motivation letter — before the LExS application deadline. If you are applying to more than one Master’s program and wish to be considered for LExS funding for each, indicate this clearly in every individual application and upload a separate motivation letter for each.

For full details, visit the official Leiden University LExS scholarship page.

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