Study in Netherlands | Leiden Excellence Scholarship 2026

December 19, 2025 9:40 am

Study in Netherlands | Leiden Excellence Scholarship 2026

Have you imagined advancing your education at a world class European university, but international tuition fees seem overwhelming? Your opportunity has arrived. Leiden University, the Netherlands’ oldest and most prestigious institution, is now accepting applications for its competitive Excellence Scholarship (LExS) for the 2026 intake. This esteemed award is designed specifically for high achieving international students seeking a Master’s degree. Since only approximately 25 scholarships are available annually, securing one represents a major academic distinction.

Understand the Scholarship Benefits

The LExS provides a substantial reduction in your tuition fees, significantly easing the financial commitment of a Leiden Master’s degree. The award is granted at one of the following fixed levels for the entire program duration:

A reduction of 10,000 euros
A reduction of 15,000 euros
A reduction of 17,500 euros
A reduction of 18,500 euros
A reduction of 19,000 euros

Please note that this scholarship does not cover full tuition or living costs. Additionally, recipients cannot combine it with another full external scholarship. Most importantly, non-EEA students must still demonstrate sufficient funds for their visa and living expenses to the Dutch immigration authorities.

Confirm Your Eligibility Status

This scholarship targets academically brilliant students from outside the European Union. To qualify, you must satisfy these core criteria:

You must hold a non-EEA and non-EFTA passport.
You must apply for a full-time Leiden Master’s program starting in September 2026. Exceptions include regular LLM and MSc programs at Leiden Law School.
You must not qualify for Dutch government student finance.
Importantly, the scholarship is open to all nationalities for Advanced LLM programs and the MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy.
Academically, you must rank among the top graduates in your previous studies, typically within the top 10 percent of your class.

Application Process

Applying for the LExS is a streamlined process integrated with your Master’s program application. Therefore, follow these steps carefully:

Apply for Your Master’s Program: First, complete your application for admission to your chosen Leiden University Master’s degree.
Access the Scholarship Section: Next, return to the application portal and navigate to the ‘Scholarships’ section. If you are eligible, the LExS option will appear in your list.
Submit Your Motivation: Then, upload a compelling motivation letter in PDF format. This letter, not exceeding 500 words, must clearly articulate why you deserve the award.
Finalize Your Submission: Finally, submit your scholarship application before the deadline. The system will not accept late submissions or allow edits afterward.
A crucial reminder: if you apply for multiple Master’s programs, you must submit a separate and distinct LExS application for each one.

Click Here to Apply

Mark the Critical Deadline

All applications for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship must be submitted by February 1, 2026. The university will not accept any late applications under any circumstances. Applicants can expect to receive final decisions via email before the end of April 2026.

Do not let funding concerns limit your potential. Take this decisive step toward studying at a leading European university. Prepare your outstanding application for the Leiden Excellence Scholarship today and compete for the chance to join a historic academic community.