Leiden University (Netherlands)
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Leiden's merit scholarship for top international master's students. It knocks a fixed amount off the tuition fee for the whole programme, so you still pay the rest of the fee and all living costs. Around 25 awards a year, with more than 1,000 applicants.
Application round
For September 2027 entry the LExS deadline is 1 December 2026. First apply for admission online (and pay any application fee), wait up to three working days, then open the Scholarships tab in the application portal and upload a motivation letter of at most 500 words. Late applications are not considered; results are emailed before the end of March.
The IELTS requirement
The scholarship itself sets no English score; it uses your admission to the master's. Leiden programmes set their own IELTS requirement, commonly 6.5 overall for taught master's degrees, and you need a valid result in your admission application, which must be submitted before you can file the LExS motivation letter. So in practice your IELTS has to be ready before 1 December 2026.
Where is your IELTS score now?
Your university sets the IELTS score for this scholarship. Take the free level test to get an estimated band for each skill before you apply.
What it covers
- A fixed reduction of the tuition fee for the full programme: EUR 10,000, 15,000, 17,500, 18,500 or 19,000
- Nothing towards living costs, housing or travel; you must also show proof of funds for your residence permit
Who can apply
- Non-EEA/non-EFTA passport (Thai passport holders qualify) and not eligible for Dutch student finance
- Among the top 10% of graduates in a relevant previous programme
- Applying for a master's programme starting in September; February starts, non-advanced LLM and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School, and holders of a Leiden master's are excluded
- Admission and the scholarship are applied for separately, each with its own decision
Key facts
- Provider
- Leiden University (Netherlands)
- Where you study
- Netherlands
- Study level
- Master's
- Funding
- Partly funded
- Application round
- Closes December 1, 2026
Already know your score?
Build an IELTS plan for this scholarship
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What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
We checked these details against the provider's official page on November 1, 2026. Rules and dates change every round, so confirm them there before you apply.
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