Applications for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027, known simply as LExS, are now open. Leiden University, one of Europe’s oldest and most respected universities, offers successful applicants a tuition fee reduction of €10,000 to €19,000 on a full-time Master’s programme starting in September 2027. The award targets students from outside the EEA and EFTA zone, though two programmes open the door to every nationality: the Advanced LLM tracks and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy. You generally need to rank among the top 10 percent of graduates from your previous degree to be considered. Applications close on 1 December 2026, and this money covers tuition only, not rent, flights, or health insurance. Below, we cover who qualifies, how much you could receive, and how to apply.
Why This Scholarship Matters More Than It Looks
Getting into a Dutch university is rarely the biggest obstacle for an international student. What trips most people up is the bill that arrives afterward. Non-EEA students at Leiden pay tuition fees several times higher than a Dutch or EU student pays for the same degree, and that gap is what LExS was built to close.
This is not a token discount. A top-tier LExS award knocks €19,000 off your fees, which for many students is the difference between studying in the Netherlands and studying somewhere cheaper instead. If Portugal is on your shortlist too, it’s worth comparing what Porto’s own scholarship and funding programmes look like before you commit. Leiden reserves this money for candidates whose academic record sets them apart, so treat it as a competitive award, not automatic aid.
One thing to get straight before you apply: LExS is not a full ride. It reduces tuition and stops there. Rent, groceries, travel, your residence permit, and health insurance remain your responsibility. If you are applying for a Dutch student visa, immigration authorities still expect proof of sufficient funds, and a tuition scholarship does not count toward that figure. If part of your broader funding plan leans on U.S. federal loans, it’s also worth keeping an eye on the Education Department’s student loan rule changes, since those can affect your budget too.
If your grades put you near the top of your class and you have set your sights on the Netherlands, LExS is worth the effort of applying. The rest of this guide walks through the award amounts, who can apply, which programmes qualify, and the exact steps to submit a strong application.
Want a fully funded route instead of a partial reduction? You may also want to check this guide to the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, a fully funded Master’s route through Europe.
Quick Facts About the Scholarship
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) |
| University | Leiden University |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Level | Full-time Master’s degrees beginning September 2027 |
| Type | Merit-based tuition fee reduction |
| Amounts on offer | €10,000, €15,000, €17,500, €18,500, or €19,000 |
| How long it lasts | Runs for the entire length of your Master’s programme |
How Much Can You Actually Receive?
Leiden does not hand out one fixed amount. The scholarship splits into five tiers, and where you land depends on how the committee rates your application against everyone else in that year’s pool.
| Tier | Amount Off Tuition |
|---|---|
| Entry tier | €10,000 |
| Second tier | €15,000 |
| Third tier | €17,500 |
| Fourth tier | €18,500 |
| Top tier | €19,000 |
Once a committee assigns you a tier, that decision is locked in, with no appeals and no negotiation. Even the top tier will not erase your entire tuition bill for most programmes, so budget for a real personal contribution on top of whatever you receive.
Who Can Apply for LExS?
Your Programme Has to Qualify
You need to apply to a full-time Master’s programme at Leiden that begins in September 2027. Two categories sit outside the scholarship entirely:
- Standard (non-advanced) LLM programmes at Leiden Law School
- MSc programmes at Leiden Law School
Your Passport Matters, With Two Exceptions
For nearly every eligible programme, you need a passport from outside the EEA or EFTA area, meaning you are not a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. You also cannot already qualify for Dutch government student finance. Two programmes waive this rule and accept students of any nationality: all Advanced LLM programmes, and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy.
If you hold a UK passport, you count as non-EEA since Brexit, so you remain eligible, unless you were already living in the Netherlands and registered with a Dutch municipality before 1 January 2021.
Your Grades Need to Stand Out
Selection committees look for excellent results in your previous degree, and that degree needs to connect logically to the Master’s you are applying for. As a rough benchmark, successful applicants typically finished in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. You do not need to submit formal proof of your class rank; the figure exists so you understand how competitive the pool actually is.
Situations That Rule You Out
Leiden will not consider your application if any of the following apply:
- You already hold a Master’s degree from Leiden (Advanced LLM applicants are the exception, since a prior Master’s is required there)
- You are applying to an excluded LLM or MSc programme at Leiden Law School
- Your programme begins in February rather than September
- You do not meet the nationality rules above
Combining LExS With Other Funding
You cannot hold LExS alongside another full scholarship from a separate funder, and you must tell Leiden’s scholarships office if you land one elsewhere. A partial scholarship from another source is sometimes allowed alongside LExS, but check with the Scholarships Team directly first. If you’re weighing options outside Europe as a backup, it’s worth comparing something like Saudi Arabia’s government-funded scholarships too, or a similar EU-funded route such as the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme in Türkiye.
Which Degree Programmes Qualify?
Almost every full-time Master’s degree at Leiden qualifies, including:
- Applied Sciences and Professions
- Art
- Business and Economics
- Engineering and Technology
- Environmental Sciences
- Humanities
- Law, limited to Advanced LLM programmes
- Management
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
The only programmes left out are the standard LLM and MSc tracks at Leiden Law School, plus any programme starting in February instead of September.
When Is the Deadline?
Mark your calendar for 1 December 2026. That date applies to anyone starting their Master’s in September 2027, and Leiden does not accept late submissions, so treat it as a hard cutoff.
How to Apply, Step by Step
Before you start, it’s worth reading up on the most common scholarship application mistakes and how to avoid them — small errors here can cost you a tier.
Step 1: Confirm You Actually Qualify
Check your nationality, academic background, and chosen programme against the rules above before investing time in the application. Make sure your start date is September 2027, since February intakes are not eligible.
Step 2: Apply for Admission First
You cannot apply for LExS on its own. Submit your regular application for admission to your chosen Master’s programme through Leiden’s online system, and pay the application fee if one applies. Give yourself a buffer of at least three working days, since that is roughly how long the admission application takes to prepare and submit properly. It also helps to have a CV formatted the way European institutions expect ready to attach alongside your application.
Step 3: Flag Your Interest in LExS
Once your admission application is in, open the Apply screen again and click through to the Scholarships tab. If the system recognizes you as eligible, LExS appears there, and you simply indicate that you want to be considered. If it does not show up, your admission application is likely incomplete, the deadline has passed, or you do not meet the eligibility rules.
Step 4: Write and Upload Your Motivation Letter
Every LExS application needs a motivation letter capped at 500 words, explaining why you deserve the award. Keep it specific to your own achievements rather than generic. If you are applying to more than one Master’s programme at Leiden, write a separate letter for each one.
Not sure where to start with that letter? This guide on how to write a scholarship personal statement that actually gets you funded walks through exactly that.
Step 5: Submit Everything Before the Deadline
Send in your completed application, including the LExS component, before 1 December 2026. Applications that arrive after the deadline will not be reviewed, regardless of the reason.
Step 6: Wait for a Decision
Faculty selection committees review nominations and pass their choices to the central Scholarships Team within roughly six weeks of the deadline. The Scholarships Team then contacts every applicant with a final decision by the end of April, in time for the September intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for LExS?
Students from outside the EEA and EFTA applying to a full-time Master’s programme at Leiden. Advanced LLM programmes and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy accept any nationality.
What is the largest amount someone can receive?
The top tier reduces tuition by €19,000, with the full range running from €10,000 up to that ceiling.
Does the scholarship help with rent or other living costs?
No. LExS reduces tuition fees only. You still cover housing, insurance, travel, and daily living expenses yourself.
When does the application window close?
1 December 2026, for anyone starting their programme in September 2027.
What does the application actually involve?
You first apply for admission to a Master’s programme, then opt into LExS through the scholarships section and attach a motivation letter of no more than 500 words.
Do I really need to be in the top 10 percent of my class?
That figure is a benchmark for how competitive the pool tends to be. You do not need formal proof of your ranking to apply.
Are students from the United Kingdom still eligible?
Yes. Since the UK counts as non-EEA, British applicants qualify, apart from those already resident in the Netherlands and registered with a Dutch municipality before 1 January 2021.
Can I stack LExS with a different scholarship?
Not with another full scholarship from an outside funder. A partial award elsewhere might be allowed, but confirm the details directly with Leiden’s Scholarships Team.
Which programmes are left out of the scheme?
Standard LLM and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School, and any programme that begins in February.
Where can I read the official scholarship terms?
Leiden University publishes the full, current terms on its official website, the safest place to double-check any detail before you submit your application.