Leiden University Excellence Scholarship for Master’s Studies in the Netherlands 2027 – Up to €19,000

Leiden University in the Netherlands offers the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) to academically outstanding international students who wish to pursue an eligible full-time master’s degree programme starting in September 2027.

The scholarship primarily targets students from countries outside the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association, including applicants from Arab countries. The LExS is a partially funded master’s scholarship that helps reduce part of the tuition fees but does not cover the full cost of tuition or living expenses.

The scholarship is highly competitive, as Leiden University awards approximately 25 scholarships each year while receiving more than 1,000 applications. Applicants must first submit an admission application for an eligible master’s programme before applying for the scholarship.

Successful applicants receive a partial tuition fee waiver in one of the following amounts:

• €10,000 toward the tuition fees.
• €15,000 toward the tuition fees.
• €17,500 toward the tuition fees.
• €18,500 toward the tuition fees.
• €19,000 toward the tuition fees.

Additional benefits include:

• Financial support for the official duration of the selected degree programme.
• The opportunity to study at a prestigious research university in the Netherlands.
• Enrolment in a full-time international master’s degree programme.
• Access to Leiden University’s international academic and research environment.

• Choose an eligible full-time master’s degree programme at Leiden University that begins in September.
• Submit an online application for admission to the selected master’s programme.
• Pay the admission application fee, where applicable.
• Complete and submit the admission application well before the scholarship deadline, as creating and submitting the application may take up to three working days.
• Return to the online application portal after submitting the admission application.
• Open the Scholarships section within the application.
• Select the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS).
• Upload a motivation letter in PDF format of no more than 500 words explaining why you should be considered for the scholarship.
• Submit the scholarship application before the stated deadline.
• Submit a separate scholarship application and motivation letter for each programme or specialisation when applying to more than one programme.

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