Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) in the Netherlands Fully Funded[For Master Students]

Think about continuing your studies in the Netherlands. Congratulations! Applications for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship are now being accepted. The benefits of the scholarship program as well as a thorough description of the application procedure will all be covered in this article. International students are the target audience for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship which is offered for the masters program in 2025–2026. An average of €15000 is awarded annually through this scholarship. The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is open to foreign students who want to study for a masters degree at Leiden University in the Netherlands. These scholarships are given to deserving applicants and are fully funded. Each faculty departments budget determines the quantity and kind of scholarships that are offered. Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is regarded as one of the top international research universities in Europe. Praesidium Libertatis or Bastion of Freedom is the motto of the university. It has seven faculties spread over the arts social sciences and sciences that are housed in Leiden and The Hague. The university provides services to about 28130 students and has over 6700 staff members.

Study Level

Graduate

Type

Fully Funded

Country

Netherland

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Scholarship Details

Courses Offered:

All Masters programs in the following Faculties: Humanities, Archaeology, Medicine/LUMC, Law, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Governance and Global Affairs, Science, Interfacultair Centrum voor Lerarenopleiding, Onderwijsontwikkeling en Nascholing (ICLON), African Studies Centre, International Institute for Asian Studies.

Program Period:

The maximum study period for a 1-year program is 12 months. The maximum study period for a 2-year program is 24 months.

Scholarship Coverage:

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LexS) provides the recipient with the following benefits:

  • € 15,000 of the tuition fee
  • € 10,000 of the tuition fee
  • Total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee

 

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for a Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LexS), candidates must fulfill all of the following requirements below:

Required Language: English

Eligible Countries:

  • International students from outside the EU/EEA must demonstrate outstanding academic performance in their prior education, which is pertinent to the Master’s program they intend to pursue.
  • Specifically, it is expected that the student ranks within the top 10% of their previous program completed abroad.
  • While proof of this ranking is not mandatory, it serves as a benchmark for assessing competitiveness.
  • These students will possess a non-EU/EEA passport and will not qualify for financial assistance under the Dutch study grant and loan system known as “Studiefinanciering.”
  • For further details, please visit www.duo.nl.
  • This stipulation does not apply to Advanced Masters programs, for which the application for the LExS is open to all nationalities.
  • It is important to note that the continuation of the LExS is not assured if a student alters their degree program during their studies.
  • Each request will be evaluated individually, with the final determination made by the Faculty Selection Committee(s).
  • Should the change occur before the student has officially registered for the program, the LExS scholarship will be rescinded, necessitating a new application for the scholarship.
  • The LExS is valid solely for the duration of the student’s enrollment at Leiden University as a full-time student, within the designated timeframe of the study program.
  • A LExS awarded for a specific academic year, as indicated in the decision letter, cannot be transferred to another academic year or to a subsequent intake within the same academic year.
  • If a student receives a LExS for the September (or February) intake and opts to defer their enrollment in the program, the LExS will be revoked.
  • Each request will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with the final decision resting with the Faculty Selection Committee(s).

Students are prohibited from receiving any additional financial support.

How to apply:

1. overseas pupils from non-EU/EEA countries.

How Can I Apply for the Excellence Scholarship at Leiden University?

  • Please follow these instructions to ensure that your application for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is accepted.
  • Fill out the online application and pay the application fee if required in order to be considered for admission to Leiden University’s Masters program.
  • Indicate that you want to apply for the LExS in the scholarship section of your online application.
  • In accordance with the guidelines in your online application upload your motivation letter for the LExS.
  • This should be a Word document that is no more than 500 words long and should explain why you are applying for the scholarship.
  • Make sure that you submit your online application which includes your LExS application before the deadline for LExS applications.
  • Please indicate in each application that you would like to be considered for a LExS for each study program you are applying to and send a different LExS motivation letter for each program.
  • To apply online Click Here.

Last Date:

The last date to apply for the programs starting in september is 1st February.

Apply Here

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