If you’ve been dreaming of joining one of Europe’s most top ranked universities without letting high international tuition fees crush you, the 2026 Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) might be the turning point you’ve been waiting for.
Leiden University — the oldest university in the Netherlands — is now inviting exceptional international students to compete for its highly selective LExS awards. With only around 25 scholarships available and thousands applying each year, this opportunity is reserved for truly outstanding academic performers aiming for a full-time Master’s degree in 2026.
What This LExS 2026 Scholarship Offers?
LExS provides substantial tuition fee reductions that significantly lower the financial burden of studying at Leiden University. While not a full scholarship, it meaningfully offsets costs for top-achieving applicants.
Here’s what recipients can receive (final, non-negotiable award levels):
- €10,000 tuition fee reduction
- €15,000 tuition fee reduction
- €17,500 tuition fee reduction
- €18,500 tuition fee reduction
- €19,000 tuition fee reduction
Additional notes:
- Award covers the duration of your Master’s program.
- LExS cannot be paired with any full external scholarship. Partial external scholarships may be allowed.
- Non-EEA recipients must still show proof of sufficient funds for visa/residence permit purposes.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility & Academic Expectations
This scholarship targets academically exceptional international students ready to pursue a Master’s degree beginning September 2026. Here’s who qualifies:
1# Programme Eligibility
- Applicants must be applying to a full-time Leiden University Master’s beginning in September 2026, except:
- LLM (non-advanced) at Leiden Law School
- MSc programmes at Leiden Law School
2# Nationality Rules
- Must hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport, and
- Must not be eligible for Dutch government student finance (Studiefinanciering).
Exceptions — open to all nationalities:
- All Advanced LLM programmes
- MSc International Relations and Diplomacy
UK students: Eligible unless they were already living in the Netherlands and in BRP before 1 January 2021.
3# Academic Excellence Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement:
- Typically among the top 10% of graduates in previous studies.
- Ranking proof not required but this indicates competitiveness.
How to Apply for LExS Scholarships 2026 in Netherlands?
The application process is fully online and linked to your Master’s application. Here’s the streamlined path:
- Apply for admission to a Leiden University Master’s programme.
- Application Submission Link: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/scholarships/sea/leiden-university-excellence-scholarship-lexs.
- Once submitted, go back to the Apply screen → open Scholarships.
- If eligible, LExS will appear in your scholarship list.
- Upload your motivation letter (PDF, max 500 words) explaining why you deserve the award.
- Submit your scholarship application before the deadline.
No edits allowed afterward, and late applications are rejected.
If applying to multiple Master’s programmes, you must submit a separate LExS application for each.
Deadline Information
The last date to apply for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2026 is 1 February 2026.
Late submissions for either program admission or scholarship will not be accepted under any circumstances. Final decisions will be emailed to applicants before the end of April 2026.