Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Offered by Leiden University
About this scholarship
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Programme (LExS) supports outstanding international students from outside the EU/EEA who enrol in a master's programme at Leiden University in the Netherlands. The award comes in five tiers — platinum, gold, silver, bronze, and ivory — ranging from the highest (platinum: full tuition less the statutory tuition fee, plus €10,000 toward living expenses) down to the lowest (ivory: 25% of the tuition fee), so the value depends on the tier awarded. Almost all master's programmes starting in September are eligible, with the exception of Leiden Law School's non-advanced LLM and certain MSc programmes. To qualify, applicants must hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport, must not be eligible for Dutch government student finance, and must have achieved excellent academic results relevant to their chosen master's. Applying is integrated with admission: you first apply online for admission to a Leiden master's, then return to the Apply screen, open the Scholarships section, indicate the LExS, and upload a motivation letter. The recommended scholarship deadline is 30 January, with results communicated before the end of April.
Eligibility
- Hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport
- Not be eligible for Dutch government student finance (Studiefinanciering)
- Have excellent academic results relevant to your chosen master's
- Apply to an eligible Leiden master's programme starting in September
- Submit the LExS request and a motivation letter via the online application
Always verify amounts and deadlines on the official site; they change each cycle.
Last verified by us: 2026-06-01.