The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a prestigious opportunity for outstanding students pursuing full-time Master’s degrees at Leiden University. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the eligibility criteria, application process, and available award levels for the LExS.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Study Programme Requirements:
- The LExS is open to applicants for all Master’s programs at Leiden University, except for LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programs at Leiden Law School.
- Additionally, the scholarship is not available for programs starting in February at the Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Sciences, and Leiden Law School.
- Nationality Requirements:
- Applicants must hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport and should not be eligible for Dutch government student finance (Studiefinanciering), with some exceptions.
- UK students are now eligible to apply for the LExS due to their non-EEA status, except for those registered in the Dutch municipality’s BRP before January 1, 2021.
- Academic Requirements:
- Applicants must have demonstrated exceptional academic performance in their previous studies, typically ranking among the top 10% of graduates in their respective programs. Actual proof of ranking is not mandatory.
Obligations and Exclusions:
- LExS recipients must comply with the scholarship’s Terms and Conditions.
- Exclusions include those who already possess a Leiden University Master’s degree (with exceptions), applicants for specific programs, and those not meeting nationality requirements.
Scholarship Details:
- The LExS covers the duration of the study program and offers three award levels: €10,000, €15,000, or the total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee.
- Note that it is not a full scholarship for non-EEA LExS recipients, and proof of sufficient funds is required for visa/residence permit applications.
Application Process:
- Begin by applying online for admission to a Master’s program at Leiden University.
- After submitting your admission application, go to the Scholarships section, where you can apply for the LExS by uploading a motivation letter (max. 500 words).
- Submit your scholarship application before the LExS deadline.
Late Applications and Selection:
- Late scholarship applications are not considered, so ensure you apply before the LExS deadline.
- Faculty selection committees will nominate LExS recipients within six weeks of the deadline.
Disclaimer:
- Ensure you submit a complete application within the specified steps and deadlines.
- Leiden University is not responsible for late or incomplete applications.
Documents:
- Leiden University Excellence Scholarship – Terms and Conditions
Deadline:
- For programs starting in September: The deadline is February 1.
- For programs starting in February: The deadline is October 1.
For more information, visit the official website.
