Netherlands Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2026

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2026 — The Netherlands

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2026 stands as a distinguished hallmark of academic prestige, crafted for brilliant international minds aspiring to pursue a full-time Master’s degree at the venerable Leiden University in the Netherlands. Designed to elevate intellectual prowess and honor outstanding academic distinction, this scholarship partially subsidizes tuition for a curated selection of Master’s programs across multiple faculties. With scarcely 25 awards conferred each year, amidst a sea of global contenders surpassing a thousand applicants, the LExS remains one of Europe’s most coveted scholarly honors.

Spain Government Scholarships 2026

Details:

Partial Funding
Leiden University
Masters
All Subjects
International Students
Netherlands
2026-02-01

Leiden University, established in 1575, proudly bears the title of the oldest academic institution in the Netherlands, revered for its centuries-old legacy of inquiry, innovation, and enlightenment. As one of Europe’s intellectual powerhouses, it has become synonymous with rigorous scholarship and global engagement. The university offers a wide tapestry of postgraduate pathways—ranging from Law, Medicine, and Governance to Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences—while nurturing a multicultural academic community representing over 120 nations. Steeped in tradition yet forward-looking, Leiden embodies an enduring commitment to academic excellence, cross-cultural dialogue, and transformative societal impact, beckoning ambitious scholars to join its distinguished ranks.

Germany Sino-German Call NSFC-DFG Scholarship 2026

Degree Level

Exclusively for Master’s degree programs (full-time only).

Eligible Faculties

Faculty of Archaeology
Faculty of Medicine / LUMC
Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs
Faculty of Law (Advanced LLMs only)
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Faculty of Science

Note: The LExS does not extend to programmes within the Faculty of Humanities, nor to non-advanced LLM or MSc programmes within Leiden Law School. Likewise, programmes commencing in February fall outside its scope.

Austrian Government Scholarships [Fully Funded] 2026

Scholarship Value

The LExS confers partial tuition coverage, offered in one of the following denominations:

€10,000
€15,000
€17,500
€18,500
€19,000

Essential Conditions:

The grant is non-negotiable and irrevocable once awarded.
It does not encompass living expenses or full tuition; applicants must show proof of financial solvency for residence and visa obligations.
The scholarship cannot be paired with a full external funding award but may coexist with a partial scholarship under defined stipulations.

Maastricht University Scholarships in Netherlands [Fully Funded] 2026

Eligible Nationalities

Open to students from non-EEA / non-EFTA nations (all countries outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).

Exceptions (no nationality restrictions):

All Advanced LLM programmes
MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy

Additionally, UK nationals remain eligible, as the United Kingdom is classified as a non-EEA state (subject to certain exceptions for pre-2021 Dutch residents).

South Korea Government Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U) 2026 (Fully Funded)

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship, aspirants must:

Hold a non-EEA/EFTA passport (unless applying to Advanced LLM or MSc in International Relations & Diplomacy).
Exhibit exceptional academic merit, typically within the top 10% of graduates from their prior degree.
Apply for an eligible Master’s programme commencing in September 2025.
Submit an eloquent motivation letter (maximum 500 words) articulating their scholarly distinction and aspiration for the award.

Exclusions:

MBZUAI Scholarships in UAE [Fully Funded] 2026

Applicants to Humanities programmes.
Candidates applying to non-advanced LLM or MSc programmes within Leiden Law School.
Students beginning in the February intake.
Holders of a previous Leiden Master’s degree (with narrow exceptions).

Application Process

Apply online for admission to your chosen Master’s programme at Leiden University. Pay the application fee where applicable. (Allow at least three business days for processing before the scholarship deadline.)
Once your application is submitted, revisit the Apply portal and select Scholarships. If you qualify, the LExS option will appear.
Upload a motivation letter (PDF, 500 words max) within the scholarship section, delineating your eligibility and motivation.
Ensure submission before 1 February 2026—late entries will be disregarded.
Candidates applying for multiple programmes must upload a separate application and motivation letter for each.

Stellenbosch University Scholarships | Free Study in Europe 2026

Selection Mechanism

Faculty committees meticulously review and nominate candidates.
Final results are released by the end of April 2026.
With merely 25 laureates chosen yearly, the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship remains a symbol of elite academic recognition—bestowed only upon those whose intellect, ambition, and purpose rise above the ordinary.

Fordham University Scholarships in USA 2026

APPLY LINK