Study in Netherlands: Leiden University Excellence Masters Scholarship Programme

About the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Programme (LExS) for Masters 

Applications are currently ongoing for the 2018 Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Programme (LExS) for Masters studies. For excellent Non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a Leiden University master’s degree programme and for excellent students of all nationalities enrolling in a Master of Law Advanced Programme or MSc in International Relations & Diplomacy.

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Application Deadline

Deadline for all programmes starting in February 2018: 

1 October 2017

Eligibility Requirements

Non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a Leiden University master’s degree programme starting September 2017 or February 2018. All MA, MSc and LLM programmes that are mentioned on the website Master’s programmes in Leiden are eligible for LExS, but note that some programmes have a start date in September only.

Students of all nationalities enrolling in the Advanced Master programmes in the list below starting September 2017 or February 2018. Note that the programmes listed below have a September start date only, with the exception of Advanced Studies in Air & Space Law:

• Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in Air & Space Law
• Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in European & International Business Law 
• Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in International Tax Law 
• Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in Public International Law 
• Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in International Civil & Commercial Law 
• Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in Law & Digital Technologies
• Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in European Tax Law
• Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in European & International Human Rights Law
• Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights
• MSc in International Relations & Diplomacy

More Requirements

1. In his or her prior academic education abroad, the applicant must have achieved excellent study results which are relevant for the programme for which the student wishes to enrol. As an indication, the student will be among the top 10% for the relevant programme followed abroad. We do not need proof of this, it is just to indicate the competitiveness of the scholarship.
2. The applicant will hold a non-EU/EEA passport and will not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans. This requirement does not apply to applicants who apply for a LExS for programmes mentioned under point 2 “For whom”.
3. Scholarships will not be awarded to applicants who have already obtained a Leiden University master’s degree with the exception of students applying for a Master programme for which a specified previous Master programme or work experience is mandatory (the LLM advanced masters qualify as such).
4. Students who are granted a LExS must comply with and confirm in writing their agreement with the Rules and Regulations attached to the scholarship prior to the granting of the scholarship.

Scholarship Benefits

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship programme has three awards:

• € 10,000 of the tuition fee
• € 15,000 of the tuition fee
• Total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee 

The number and type of award of the scholarship depends on the budget available for each Faculty department. The type of award has no reflection on the students’ academic level of excellence. Please be aware that the LExS is not a full scholarship.

How to Apply

1. Fill in your online application for admission to Leiden University.*
2. Upload all required documents.
3. Indicate clearly that you would like to apply for the LExS scholarship on the scholarship page. Please note that if you apply for more than one master’s programme, you have to indicate that you apply for the LExS scholarship for all these programmes separately.
4. Upload your letter of motivation for the LExS scholarship on the scholarship page (see instruction under Letter of motivation for LExS below).**
5. Submit your online application.
6. Pay the application fee of €100.
7. The selection committee of the relevant faculty will review the applications. Students are selected on the basis of academic merit.
8. All LExS applicants will be informed by the scholarship department of Student Educational Affairs about the outcome of the selection procedure.

Please Note:

Students who have a bachelor’s degree from Leiden University and intend to continue in the related master’s programme do not have to apply for admission but can register directly in studielink. If you want to be considered for a LExS please send an e-mail stating that you want to apply for the LExS including a motivation letter in pdf.

In this e-mail clearly state: your name, your student number, which programme you want to apply for and for which intake. You can send this mail to: scholarships@sea.leidenuniv.nl. Step 1-6 are not applicable for these students. Please do respect the deadlines. Mails sent after the deadline will not be considered.  

The student is responsible for submitting a complete application, according to the steps described under 1-6 by the aforementioned deadline. Leiden University cannot be held responsible for late and/or incomplete applications.

For more information, visit scholarship webpage