Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2026: Fully Funded Master’s Studies in the Netherlands

Were you among the top students in your graduating class and aspiring to pursue a Master’s degree at one of the world’s top 100 universities? Leiden University in the Netherlands, a prestigious institution dating back to 1575, is now accepting applications for its 2026 Excellence Scholarships (LExS). This highly competitive program offers only 25 scholarships annually to outstanding international students from outside the European Economic Area. This is your opportunity to join an academic environment that prioritizes research and international collaboration in the fields of science, humanities, law, and social sciences.

1. Summary of the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2026

Information	Details
Host country	Holland
Host university	Leiden University
Study level	Master’s Degree
Type of financing	Funder
Application deadline	December 1, 2026 (163 days remaining)

2. Financial benefits and coverage (cash support to reduce fees)

This scholarship is designed to alleviate the financial burden on outstanding students through substantial tuition fee waivers, and the value of the awards is distributed according to academic excellence as follows:

• A €10,000 tuition fee waiver .
• A €15,000 exemption from tuition fees.
• A tuition fee waiver of €17,500 .
  A tuition fee waiver of €18,500 .
• A tuition fee waiver of €19,000 . (Note: This support is granted for the entire official duration of the study program).

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3. Strict eligibility requirements and admission criteria

Given that it is an “excellence” scholarship, the selection criteria are very rigorous:

• Academic excellence: The applicant must have exceptional academic results and be generally ranked within the top 10% of graduates in their previous degree program.
• Study Program: Apply for a full-time Master’s program starting in September (the scholarship is not awarded for programs starting in February).
• Restrictions: This scholarship cannot be combined with any other full scholarship from another third party.

4. Required documents

• Official and translated transcripts that prove academic excellence.
• A motivation letter not exceeding 500 words (in PDF format).
• An updated curriculum vitae (CV).
• A copy of the passport.

5. Steps and mechanism for direct application

The scholarship application process is done through the same university application portal:

1. Academic application: Begin by submitting an online application for your chosen Master’s program at Leiden University, and pay the university application fee (if applicable).
2. Activating the scholarship application: After submitting the application, return to the Apply screen and click on the Scholarships section.
3. Upload your letter: If you meet the requirements, the (LExS) scholarship will appear. Indicate your interest in applying and upload your letter of motivation.
4. Multiple submissions: If you are applying to more than one Master’s program, you must submit a separate LExS scholarship application and motivation letter for each program.
5. Deadline: Make sure to submit your scholarship application before the crucial deadline of December 1, 2026.