✨ Should I Apply for Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Three tiers: €10,000, €15,000, or Total tuition fee minus the statutory fee
⏱
Duration
Duration of the Master's program (12 or 24 months)
🗓
Deadline
February 1 for September intake; October 1 for February intake
🌐
Fields
All Master's programs offered at Leiden University (excluding LLM Advanced Studies which have separate specific rules)
🏆
Awards/Year
Varies by faculty and available budget each year
🌏
Study Country
Netherlands
🏛️
Provider
Leiden University
📊
Acceptance
Highly competitive, approximately 2-5% of applicants
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a prestigious award for excellent non-EU/EEA students who wish to pursue a Master's degree at Leiden University. The scholarship focuses on rewarding students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance in their undergraduate studies. It provides financial support by reducing the high international tuition fees to more manageable levels or covering them almost entirely, allowing global talent to access high-quality Dutch education.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to excellent non-EU/EEA students applying for a Master's program at Leiden. Students must have achieved excellent study results in their previous education, typically belonging to the top 10% of their graduating class.
🌐 Fields of Study
All Master's programs offered at Leiden University (excluding LLM Advanced Studies which have separate specific rules)
✨ Key Benefits
The scholarship provides a reduction in tuition fees. It is available in three amounts: €10,000, €15,000, or the total tuition fee minus the statutory fee. It does not cover living expenses or additional costs.
🎯 Target Students
International Students (Non-EU/EEA)
🏷 Tags
Master's
Netherlands
Tuition Waiver
Merit
Leiden
International Students
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes (Partial or Near-Total)
Total Award
Three tiers: €10,000, €1
✈️ Travel: No
🏠 Accommodation: No
💊 Health Insurance: No
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: €100 (University application fee)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (Partial or Near-Total)
🎁 Other Benefits
Access to international student networks and Leiden University alumni community.
📋 Renewal Conditions
For two-year programs, the award is renewed for the second year provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress (sufficient ECTS).
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Non-EU/EEA passport holders (with some exceptions) who are high achievers in their previous studies.
🎓 Academic Level
Master's (MA, MSc, LL.M)
📊 Minimum GPA
Equivalent to the top 10% of the graduating class (usually 3.7/4.0 or higher)
🗣️ English Requirement
Must meet the program-specific English proficiency requirements (usually IELTS 6.5-7.5 or TOEFL equivalent)
💼 Work Experience
Not required but can be a supplementary asset
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory but considered a plus in the motivation letter
💰 Financial Need
Not considered (strictly merit-based)
🎯 Target Students
International Students (Non-EU/EEA)
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Motivation letter for the LExS scholarship)
Rec Letters
Yes (As part of the general Master's admission process)
Application Fee
€100 (University application fee)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (As part of the general Master's admission process) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Must meet the program-specific English proficiency requirements (usually IELTS 6.5-7.5 or TOEFL equivalent)
- Interview: No
- Min GPA: Equivalent to the top 10% of the graduating class (usually 3.7/4.0 or higher)
📋 Application Process
In your motivation letter, clearly state that you are applying for the LExS. Detail your academic achievements and explain how your background aligns with the Master's program.
💡 Insider Tip: Submit your application for admission well before the February 1st or October 1st deadline to ensure you can tick the LExS interest box in the online application portal (uSis).