Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS): Eligibility, Deadline & How to Apply

For excellent students joining a full-time Leiden University Master's degree programme - with the exception of all Humanities programmes and of LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School.

Applicants must have a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport, and may not be eligible for student finance via the Dutch government (Studiefinanciering) – with the exceptions of students applying for the programmes listed below for which no nationality restrictions apply:

• All LLM Advanced Studies programmes
• MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy

Faculty: Archaeology, Medicine/LUMC, Governance and Global Affairs, Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Science

Obligations: Students who are granted a LExS must comply with, and confirm in writing, their agreement with the Terms and conditions attached to the scholarship prior to the awarding of the scholarship.

The LExS is awarded for the duration of the study programme. There are five available levels of awards:

• € 10,000 of the tuition fee
• € 15,000 of the tuition fee
• € 17,500 of the tuition fee
• € 18,500 of the tuition fee
• € 19,000 of the tuition fee

If and when awarded a LExS, the level of the award is final and non-negotiable. The LExS is not a full scholarship and does not cover the full cost of your studies. Always keep in mind that a significant personal contribution will be required. Non-EEA LExS recipients must still submit ‘proof of sufficient funds’ for their student visa/residence permit application.

Students must have achieved excellent academic results in their previous study programme(s), which must be relevant to the Master's programme for which they are applying. As an indication, the student is amongst the top 10% of graduates in their previous study programme. Note that proof of ranking is not required – this information is purely to indicate the level of competitiveness.

• Apply online for admission to a Master's programme at Leiden University and pay the application fee if applicable. 
  • Note: it can take up to 3 working days to create/submit an application for admission, so start your application well before the LExS deadline. 
    
    
• After submitting your application for admission, return to the Apply screen in your online application and click on Scholarships. If you are eligible to apply for the LExS, it will now be visible in the scholarships section.
  • Note: if you cannot see the LExS in your scholarships section, you have either not yet submitted your application for admission, missed the deadline or are not eligible for the LExS.
    
    
• Indicate that you want to apply for the LExS then upload your LExS motivation letter. This must be a PDF file of max. 500 words, in which you explain why you would like to be considered for the award.
  
  
• Submit your scholarship application before the LExS deadline. Please be aware that after submitting your scholarship application, you cannot make changes to it either online or by sending additional items by email.
  
  
• If you are applying for more than one study programme/specialisation and wish to apply for a LExS for each, you must submit a LExS application and motivation letter within each separate online application for admission.

Countries/ Nationalities: Non-EEA/non-EFTA students / Exception: All nationalities for Advanced LLMs & MSc Int. Relations and Diplomacy

• Admission Application
• Application Fee
• Academic Transcripts
• Motivation Letter
• Submit Scholarship Application