€10,000, €15,000, or Total tuition fee minus statutory fee
Duration
Duration of the Master's programme (1 or 2 years)
Deadline
February 1st (for September intake); October 1st (for February intake)
Level
Master's Degree (MA, MSc, LLM)
Acceptance
Estimated < 5%
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
Leiden University offers Leiden Excellence Scholarship (LExS), a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to Netherlands. The award covers The LExS offers three levels of financial support towards tuition fees: 10,000, 15,000, or the full tuition fee minus the statutory fee. It does not cover living costs, health insurance, or travel. and is open to master's degree (ma, msc, llm) students studying all master's programmes at leiden university (excluding certain llm advanced studies). The scholarship runs for duration of the master's programme (1 or 2 years) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on high-achieving students from outside the EU/EEA who have been admitted to a Master's program at Leiden University and can demonstrate academic excellence (top 10% of class). The application deadline is February 1st (for September intake); October 1st (for February intake), with an acceptance rate of approximately Estimated < 5%. Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for Leiden Excellence Scholarship (LExS)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
60%
Eligibility Match
8%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Highly Competitive
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
€10,000, €15,000, or Total tuition fee minus statutory fee
⏳
Duration
Duration of the Master's programme (1 or 2 years)
📅
Deadline
February 1st (for September intake); October 1st (for February intake)
🌎
Fields
All Master's programmes at Leiden University (excluding certain LLM Advanced Studies)
🏆
Awards/Year
Varies per faculty and available budget each year
🌏
Study Country
Netherlands
🏛️
Provider
Leiden University
📊
Acceptance
Estimated < 5%
The Leiden Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is the most prestigious scholarship offered by Leiden University. It targets exceptionally talented non-EU/EEA students pursuing a Master's degree. The scholarship aims to support academic excellence and internationalize the university's student body by removing financial barriers to tuition.
👥 Who Should Apply
High-achieving students from outside the EU/EEA who have been admitted to a Master's program at Leiden University and can demonstrate academic excellence (top 10% of class).
🌎 Fields of Study
All Master's programmes at Leiden University (excluding certain LLM Advanced Studies)
✨ Key Benefits
The LExS offers three levels of financial support towards tuition fees: €10,000, €15,000, or the full tuition fee minus the statutory fee. It does not cover living costs, health insurance, or travel.
Varies (Approximately 50-70 awards across all faculties)
Winners
Estimated < 5%
Acceptance Rate
Highly Competitive
Competition Level
Win Probability
8%
Match Score
60%
Competition
95%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Partial or Full (depending on the award level)
Living Stipend
Not included
Total Award
€10,000, €15,000, or Total tuition fee minus statutory fee
✈️ Travel: Not included🏠 Accommodation: Not included💊 Health Insurance: Not included🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: €100 (Standard university application fee)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Partial or Full (depending on the award level)
🏠 Living Stipend
Not included
🏡 Accommodation
Not included
✈️ Travel Allowance
Not included
💊 Health Insurance
Not included
🎁 Other Benefits
Networking opportunities, membership in the LExS alumni community, and prestige associated with Leiden University's highest award.
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Contingent upon maintaining satisfactory academic progress and completing the required number of credits in the first year.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Non-EU/EEA students applying for a full-time Master's program; Must have achieved excellent academic results in previous education; Must rank in the top 10% of their graduating class.
🎓 Academic Level
Master's Degree (MA, MSc, LLM)
📊 Minimum GPA
Top 10% of previous class (typically equivalent to 3.7/4.0 or higher)
🗣️ English Requirement
Must meet the English proficiency requirements of the specific Master's program (IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge).
💼 Work Experience
Not required (unless specific Master's program demands it)
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory but considered a plus in the motivation letter.
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary selection criterion (Merit-based)
🎯 Target Students
International Students (Non-EU/EEA)
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Motivation letter specifically for LExS)
Rec Letters
Usually required as part of the general Master's admission process
Interview
Rarely (Faculty dependent)
Application Fee
€100 (Standard university application fee)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Usually required as part of the general Master's admission process Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Must meet the English proficiency requirements of the specific Master's program (IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge).
Interview: Rarely (Faculty dependent)
Min GPA: Top 10% of previous class (typically equivalent to 3.7/4.0 or higher)
📋 Application Process
Draft a strong motivation letter (max 500 words) that highlights academic achievements and why the specific Leiden program is essential for your future. Include proof of ranking in your class.
💡 Insider Tip: You must apply for admission to the Master's program first and indicate your interest in the LExS scholarship in the scholarship section of the online application portal (uSis).
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
September (for the following academic year)
⏰ Deadline
February 1st (for September intake); October 1st (for February intake)
🎤 Interview
Rarely (Faculty dependent)
🎓 Study Starts
September or February
September (for the following academic year)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
February 1st (for September intake); October 1st (for February intake)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Rarely (Faculty dependent)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September or February
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, relevance of the Master's program, and the quality of the motivation letter.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Leiden Excellence Scholarship (LExS)Current
Netherlands
Full Funding
Master's Degree (MA, MSc, LLM)
—
🇳🇱 VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) / VU Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship
High-achieving students from outside the EU/EEA who have been admitted to a Master's program at Leiden University and can demonstrate academic excellence (top 10% of class).
This scholarship covers: The LExS offers three levels of financial support towards tuition fees: €10,000, €15,000, or the full tuition fee minus the statutory fee. It does not cover living costs, health insurance, or travel.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is February 1st (for September intake); October 1st (for February intake). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Highly Competitive. Acceptance rate: Estimated < 5%. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Must meet the English proficiency requirements of the specific Master's program (IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge)., Usually required as part of the general Master's admission process recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.