There’s a version of this article that just lists the benefits and tells you to apply. This isn’t that article.
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027 (LExS) is a genuine, well-regarded merit award at one of Europe’s most respected universities. It can reduce your tuition bill by up to €19,000. For the right applicant, it makes a real difference.
But it’s not a fully funded scholarship. And a surprising number of students apply without understanding that distinction — then face a financial shortfall after arriving in the Netherlands.
So before the deadline details and the application steps, that’s where this article starts. You may also like The UK’s Commonwealth Masters Scholarships 2027.
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Overview
| Scholarship | Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2027 |
| University | Leiden University, Netherlands |
| Entry | September 2027 |
| Level | Master’s programs (full-time, eligible programs only) |
| Award Type | Tuition fee reduction (not full funding) |
| Maximum Award | €19,000 |
| Minimum Award | €10,000 |
| Application Deadline | 1 December 2026 |
| Academic Benchmark | Approximately top 10% of previous program |
What LExS Actually Pays — And What It Doesn’t
The scholarship reduces your tuition fee. That’s it.
It does not cover accommodation, living costs, health insurance, travel, visa fees, or the financial proof required by Dutch immigration authorities. Students who arrive in the Netherlands expecting a scholarship to handle monthly expenses alongside tuition are routinely caught off guard.
The five award levels are fixed reductions:
| Award Level | Tuition Reduction |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | €10,000 |
| Level 2 | €15,000 |
| Level 3 | €17,500 |
| Level 4 | €18,500 |
| Highest Award | €19,000 |
Even at the highest level, you’ll need a separate financial plan for everything the scholarship doesn’t touch. The Netherlands has specific minimum financial requirements for student visa applications, and Leiden’s own guidance recommends budgeting carefully beyond tuition.
Plan for LExS to reduce your costs. Don’t plan for it to cover them.
Are You a Competitive Applicant?
Leiden uses academic performance around the top 10% of graduates as a general benchmark for LExS competitiveness.
You don’t always need an official ranking certificate to prove this. But average grades won’t be enough. Strong applicants typically bring a focused, high-performing academic transcript and a clear reason for choosing their specific Leiden Master’s program.
Before spending time on the application, be honest with yourself about where you stood in your previous program. If you were consistently among the strongest students in your cohort, this scholarship is worth serious effort. If your grades were solid but not exceptional, your energy may be better directed toward programs with broader eligibility criteria.
One useful note on GPA conversion: if your grading system doesn’t use a 4.0 scale, don’t convert arbitrarily. Compare your performance against peers from the same system rather than running it through a generic converter that may misrepresent your actual standing.
Which Programs Are Eligible — And Which Aren’t
Most full-time Master’s programs beginning in September 2027 qualify, but two categories are explicitly excluded:
- Non-Advanced LLM programs at Leiden Law School
- MSc programs at Leiden Law School
Nationality eligibility also shifts depending on your program. For most programs, LExS targets applicants holding passports from outside the EEA/EFTA area who are not eligible for Dutch government student finance.
Two programs open LExS to applicants of all nationalities:
- Advanced LLM programs
- MSc International Relations and Diplomacy
UK applicants occupy a specific grey area. Depending on residence status and whether you were registered in the Dutch BRP before 1 January 2021, you may or may not qualify. If you hold a UK passport, verify your specific eligibility directly with Leiden’s admissions office rather than assuming either way.
The Motivation Letter — Where Most Applications Are Won or Lost
A strong GPA earns you a place in the competition. The motivation letter is often what separates the scholarship recipients from everyone else with similar grades.
The most common mistake is writing a motivation letter that reads like a restructured CV. Reviewers have already seen your transcript. What they’re looking for is something different: a clear, specific connection between your academic background, your chosen Leiden program, your future direction, and your case for merit-based funding.
Two applicants with identical grades will produce very different motivation letters. One will describe their achievements in general terms. The other will explain precisely why this program, at this university, at this point in their career, is the logical next step — and why the scholarship committee would be making a sound investment.
Write the second letter, not the first.
How to Apply for Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027
The process runs through Leiden University’s Master’s admissions system rather than a separate scholarship portal.
Complete your Master’s admission application for an eligible September 2027 program and indicate your LExS scholarship request before 1 December 2026. Both steps must happen within the same application — you cannot add the scholarship request after submitting your admission materials.
Standard application materials include your academic transcript, motivation letter, and supporting documents required by your chosen program.
The deadline is firm. Leiden processes a high volume of applications for September entry, and late submissions are not considered for scholarship funding.