Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2026 in Netherlands | € 10,000 to € 19,000 Award

Applications for the 2026 Leiden University Excellence Scholarship are now open for all international students. LExS is a merit-based scholarship for outstanding international students applying for a full-time Master’s degree at Leiden University in the Netherlands. It excludes non-advanced LLM and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Summary

Eligible Faculties in the LExS Scholarship

• Archaeology
• Humanities
• Medicine/LUMC
• Governance and Global Affairs
• Law, Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Science

Benefits of the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

• Partial tuition coverage (There are five award levels):
  • € 10,000
  • € 15,000
  • € 17,500
  • € 18,500
  • € 19,000
• The award is final and non-negotiable.
• Around 25 scholarships are awarded annually.

Also Check: Tinbergen Institute Master’s Scholarship 2026 in Netherlands

Eligibility Requirements for the LExS Scholarship

• Must apply for a Master’s programme starting in September.
• Must hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport (exceptions: Advanced LLM and MSc International Relations & Diplomacy).
• Must be among the top 10% academically in your previous studies.
• Cannot already hold a Leiden Master’s degree.
• Ineligible if starting a programme in February.

Also Check: Erasmus Mundus NOHA Scholarship 2026 in Europe

Selection Process of the LExS Scholarship

• Each faculty nominates candidates within 6 weeks after the deadline.
• Results are emailed to applicants by the end of April.
• Selection is based on academic excellence, motivation, and overall fit.

Important Exclusions & Notes

• You cannot apply if you already hold a Leiden University Master’s degree (unless you’re applying for a special Master’s program that explicitly requires a previous Master’s or work experience). 
• You cannot apply if you’re going to a Master’s that starts in February. 
• You cannot combine LExS with another full scholarship from an external provider (unless approved) since that would overlap. Partial external scholarships may be possible. 
• Because the scholarship is competitive, about 25 awards are given each year, while over 1,000 students apply.

Also Check: Master Mind Scholarship 2026 in Belgium

Required Documents for LExS Scholarship

1. Application for admission to the Master’s programme.
2. LExS motivation letter (max 500 words, PDF).
3. Academic transcripts and certificates proving excellence.
4. Passport copy and other documents required by the Master’s programme.
5. Acceptance of LExS Terms and Conditions (if awarded).

Also Check: Radboud Scholarship Programme 2026 in Netherlands

How to Apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

1. Apply online for admission to a Master’s programme at Leiden University.
2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).
3. Once submitted, return to the “Scholarships” section in the portal.
4. If eligible, select LExS and upload your motivation letter (PDF, max 500 words).
5. Submit before 1 February (no late applications accepted).
6. If applying for multiple programmes, submit separate LExS applications for each.