Leiden University Excellence Scholarships 2026 in Netherlands (Funded)
Leiden University Excellence Scholarships 2026 in the Netherlands (Funded) Apply for fully funded scholarships here. If you’re planning to pursue a Master’s degree in the Netherlands, here’s your golden opportunity! The Leiden University Excellence Scholarships (LExS) 2026 are now open for international students from all nationalities. Funded by Leiden University, one of the top research universities in Europe, this scholarship offers partial to substantial financial support for talented non-EU/EEA students enrolling in Master’s programs.
Leiden University Excellence Scholarships 2026 Details:
| University: | Leiden University |
| Degree Level: | Masters |
| Scholarship coverage: | Funded |
| Eligible nationality: | All Nationalities |
| Award country: | Netherlands |
| Last Date: | 1 February 2026 |
Whether you’re driven by academic excellence or seeking global experience in a multicultural academic setting, this scholarship could be your next step toward an advanced degree in Europe.
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💰 What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The LExS is a merit-based scholarship that provides financial assistance in three possible tiers:
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💸 €10,000 of the tuition fee
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💸 €15,000 of the tuition fee
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💸 Total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee
⚠️ Note: The LExS does not cover living costs or full tuition for all programs. Students are expected to arrange additional funding to cover travel, housing, insurance, and daily expenses.
🎓 Eligible Master’s Programs
The scholarship is available for all English-taught Master’s programs at Leiden University, except:
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LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programs at Leiden Law School
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Study programs starting in February (LExS only applies for September intake)
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Master’s programs at the Faculty of Humanities are taught in Dutch
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✅ Eligibility Criteria (In Simple Terms)
To be eligible for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2026, you must:
- 🌍 Be a non-EU/EEA citizen (international student)
- 🎓 Be applying for a full-time Master’s program at Leiden University
- 📊 Have excellent academic results (top 10% of your previous class preferred)
- 📝 Meet all admission requirements of the Master’s program
- 📅 Apply before the scholarship deadline (alongside your program application)
🚫 You are not eligible if you are applying to LLM (non-advanced) or Dutch-taught programs.
📝 Application Process – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Apply for a Master’s Program
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Submit your application online via Leiden University’s application system (uSis)
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Indicate that you would like to apply for the LExS scholarship during your application
Step 2: Upload Required Documents
- Motivation letter for the scholarship
- Proof of academic excellence
- CV/Resume
- Recommendation letters
- Previous academic transcripts and certificates
- Language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
Step 3: Submit Before the Deadline
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📅 Deadline: 1 February 2026 for programs starting in September 2026
Step 4: Wait for the Result
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Scholarship selection results are announced along with the admission decision
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📄 Required Documents
Ensure you prepare the following:
- ✅ Online Master’s program application (USIS)
- ✅ LExS scholarship motivation letter (max 500 words)
- ✅ Academic transcripts
- ✅ CV or resume
- ✅ Recommendation letters (usually 2)
- ✅ Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)
- ✅ Copy of passport
📌 Some programs may require additional documents such as a writing sample or research proposal.
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📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | ✅ Now |
| LExS Scholarship Deadline | 1 February 2026 |
| Admission & Scholarship Results | March–April 2026 |
| Program Start | September 2026 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is LExS a fully funded scholarship?
A: No, it offers partial funding (tuition reduction only). You will need to fund your living expenses.
Q: Can I apply for more than one scholarship at Leiden?
A: Yes. You can also apply for a Holland Scholarship or external funding, but you can only receive one Leiden-administered scholarship at a time.
Q: Is there a separate application for the scholarship?
A: No. Indicate your interest in LExS when applying for your Master’s program in the USIS portal.
Q: What GPA is required?
A: There’s no official GPA cutoff, but your academic record must reflect that you’re in the top 10% of your previous class.
Q: Are Dutch students eligible?
A: No. This scholarship is only for non-EU/EEA international students.
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🧭 Final Thoughts
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a fantastic opportunity for academically outstanding students to study in the Netherlands—a country known for its innovation, research, and international outlook.
If you have a strong academic profile and are ready to invest in a global education, don’t miss the chance to apply before 1 February 2026.
📌 Start your application today and take the first step toward earning your Master’s degree in Europe!