Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LexS) 2025

Hi, are you looking for a Fully-Funded Scholarship in the Netherlands? Then you are at the right place. Applications are now open for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LexS) for the academic year 2025 in the Netherlands. The Scholarships are for a Master’s level degree program.

This is a tuition-free Scholarship in the Netherlands and all international students are eligible for this opportunity. The value of this scholarship is an amount of € 15,000 annually. Applicants from all over the world can apply.

The type and number of scholarship awards depend on the budget available for each faculty department. The University of Leiden was founded in 1575 and is one of the leading international research institutes in Europe.

The university aims at “Presidium Liberties” – a stronghold of freedom. It has seven faculties in the arts, science, and social sciences, spread over Leiden and The Hague. The University has over 28,130 students and 6,700 staff members.

We encouraged you to apply for the Leiden University Scholarships program. This is one of the best opportunities to pursue your studies in the Netherlands. For complete information about scholarships in the Netherlands, please read the article below.

Details About Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2025

Host Country: Netherlands
Host University: Leiden University
Degree level: Master’s degree
Nationality: All International students
Deadline: Given below

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Available Courses

Law
Science
Humanities
Archaeology
Medicine/LUMC
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Governance and Global Affairs
Interfacultair Centrum voor Lerarenopleiding
Onderwijsontwikkeling en Nascholing (ICLON)
African Studies Centre
International Institute for Asian Studies

Benefits Of the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

The Leiden University Scholarship (LexS) will provide the recipient with three benefits:

€ 10,000 of the tuition fee
€ 15,000 of the tuition fee
Total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee.

Lex is not a full scholarship. Non-EEA Lex Recipients Still Have Evidence of “Enough Funding” to Apply for their Student Visa / Residence Permit Application.

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Eligibility Criteria For Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

Interested candidates must fulfill the eligibility criteria for this scholarship, given below.

English is the Required Language.
Eligible Countries: Non-EU/EEA international students
All International students are eligible.
Candidates must have achieved excellent study results in their previous education, this being relevant to the Master’s degree program for which they are applying. As an indication, the student is included in 10% of the Graduate students in their previous study program. Note: Proof of ranking is not required – this information is used to indicate the level of competition.
Applicants must have a non-EEA / non-EFTA * passport and may not be eligible for assistance under the Dutch System Study Grant and Loans (StaffFinancing)_With the exception of students applying for MSc in LLM Advanced Studies programs or in International Relations and Diplomacy, for which no nationality restrictions apply.
The student must comply with Dutch visa regulations.
While studying at the University of Leiden, the student will be actively involved in activities to promote LECS.
The student must accept the Lex Scholarship by completing the ‘Acceptance Form LES’.
LEXS is only valid for those who are registered as full-time students at the University of Leiden in the time frame of the Student Study Program.
It is not possible to combine the LExS with any other scholarship that is financed by Leiden University.
Students who receive the LESS verify their compliance and written agreement with the scholarship rules and regulations prior to awarding the scholarship.

EEA/EFTA: All EU countries plus Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland.

Deadline

The last date to apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarships (LexS) for the academic year of 2025 is:

1 February for programs starting in September
1 October for programs starting in February

Also, see:

Erasmus University MBA Scholarships 2026 in the Netherlands

How to apply!

Interested candidates must follow these steps to apply for this scholarship. For more details about the LexS Scholarship, please visit the official website given below.

Apply online for admission to a master’s degree program at Leiden University and pay the application fee if applicable.
In the Scholarship section of your online application, indicate that you would like to apply for LES.
Upload your Lex inspiration letter as directed in your online application. This is a PDF file of max. 500 words, in which you explain why you will be considered for the award.
Submit your online application before the LES application deadline, which includes your LES application.
If you are applying for more than one study program and want to apply for a lex for each one, clearly indicate this in each application and the LES for each.