Master’s scholarships are now being accepted for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2025 in the Netherlands. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship will be awarded to applicants who are waiting to be admitted to a master’s program at Leiden University; this does not include students who are enrolled in non-advanced courses, Leiden Law School, or LLM programs.
- Eligible Nationalities: Non-EEA/Non-EFTA students
- Exception: For Advanced LLMs and MSc International Relations and Diplomacy, all nationalities are eligible.
Fields of Study:
- Educational development and further training
- African Studies Centre,
- International Institute for Asian Studies
- Archaeology
- Humanities
- Medicine/LUMC
- Governance and Global Affairs
- Law
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Science
- Interfaculty Center for Teacher Training
Benefits of Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
The LExS Master’s Degree Scholarship is awarded for the whole course of the study program. There are three award levels accessible:
- € 10,000 tuition fee
- € 15,000 tuition fee.
- Full tuition fee without statutory tuition fee
Note: It’s critical to remember that the LExS is a partial scholarship. ‘Evidence of sufficient funds’ is still required of non-EEA LExS participants when they apply for a residence permit or student visa.
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) Requirments
The following prerequisites should be fulfilled by every applicant:
- In order to be considered for admission to the Master’s program, students must have performed very well in their prior academic program or programs. For instance, the student graduated in the top 10% of the class of their prior study program. It’s important to note that ranking confirmation is not necessary; the purpose of this data is to illustrate the level of competitiveness.
- Candidates must possess a passport that is not issued by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) or the European Economic Area (EEA).
- Before the scholarship is given, students who are awarded an LExS must declare in writing that they agree to the terms and conditions associated with the program.
- All applicants who hold a Master’s degree from Leiden University will not be considered for scholarships, unless they are enrolled in a Master’s program that demands a particular previous Master’s degree or work experience (e.g. LLM advanced studies programs).
- Combining the LExS with another Leiden University scholarship is not permitted.
- It is not possible to combine the LExS with another external full scholarship. Students need to get in touch with the scholarships department if they are awarded a full scholarship by another organization. In certain circumstances, the LExS may be combined with a partial scholarship from an outside source.
Required Documents:
Please submit these supporting documents for your application:
- A photocopy of a valid passport or identification card
- A copy of a residency permit in the Netherlands (if applicable)
- Résumé (CV)
- English language proficiency (if applicable)
- Diplomas and transcripts copies
- Motivational letter
- Recommendation letters
- Other documents specific to the program
Application Date and Process
- Apply online for admission to a Master's programme at Leiden University and pay the application fee if applicable.
- Note: it can take up to 2 days to create/submit an application for admission, so start your application well before the LExS deadline.
- After submitting your application for admission, return to the Apply screen in your online application and click on Scholarships. If you are eligible to apply for the LExS, it will now be visible in the scholarships section.
- Note: if you cannot see the LExS in your scholarships section, you have either not yet submitted your application for admission or are not eligible for the LExS.
- Indicate that want to apply for the LExS then upload your LExS motivation letter. This must be a PDF file of max. 500 words, in which you explain why you would like to be considered for the award.
- Submit your scholarship application before the LExS deadline. Please be aware that after submitting your scholarship application, you cannot make changes to it either online or by sending additional items by email.
- If you are applying for more than one study programme/specialisation and wish to apply for a LExS for each, you must submit a LExS application and motivation letter within each separate online application for admission.
Late applications
Late scholarship applications will not be considered. It is the responsibillity of the student to make sure they create/submit both their application for admission and their application for a scholarship before the LExS deadline.
Selection process
- The faculty selection committees will nominate their LExS recipients within 6 weeks of the LExS deadline.
- All applicants will receive an email notifying them whether they have been awarded a LExS:
- At the end of November (for programmes starting in February)
- At the end of April (for study programmes starting in September)
Application Deadline
01 October, 2024
Scholarship Application Portal
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Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
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