Leiden University Scholarship Opportunities for International Students

Leiden University, with its motto ‘Praesidium Libertatis’ - Bastion of Freedom, offers various scholarship opportunities for international students seeking to pursue their studies in the Netherlands. These scholarships aim to support talented individuals from around the globe in achieving their academic aspirations at one of the leading research universities in Europe. With seven faculties spanning the sciences, arts, and social sciences, located in Leiden and The Hague, Leiden University provides a diverse and enriching environment for international students.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a prestigious scholarship program designed for excellent students from non-EU/EEA countries (with exceptions for specific programs) who are pursuing a full-time Master's degree program at Leiden University. It is a merit-based scholarship that aims to attract the brightest minds to Leiden University, fostering a diverse and intellectually stimulating academic community.

Eligibility Criteria for LExS

To be eligible for the LExS, applicants must meet specific criteria, including:

Nationality: Generally, the LExS is available for students holding a non-EU/EEA passport. However, there are exceptions:
- All nationalities are eligible for Advanced LLMs and MSc International courses.
- Students from the UK are eligible to apply for the LExS, considering the UK as a non-EEA country. Note that this does not apply to applicants who were already living in the Netherlands and registered in their Dutch municipality's BRP before 1 January 2021.
Academic Excellence: Students must have achieved excellent academic results in their previous study program(s), which must be relevant to the Master's program for which they are applying. As an indication, the student should be among the top 10% of graduates in their previous study program.

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Previous Education: Scholarships cannot be awarded to applicants who have already obtained a Leiden University Master’s degree, with the exception of students applying for a Master program for which a specified previous Master program or work experience is mandatory.
Financial Need: While LExS is merit-based, students will hold a non-EU/EEA passport and will not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans “Studiefinanciering”. For more information please refer to: www.duo.nl.

Applicable Programs

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is for excellent students joining a full-time Leiden University Master's degree program - with the exception of LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programs at Leiden Law School.

Benefits of the LExS

The LExS provides a tuition fee reduction, with the specific amount varying depending on the Faculty department's budget. As an example, the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2025 is € 19,000 of the tuition fee. The LExS is awarded for the duration of the study program. If and when awarded a LExS, the level of the award is final and non-negotiable.

It is crucial to acknowledge that the LExS is not a full scholarship and does not cover the entire cost of studies. Recipients should be prepared to make a significant personal financial contribution towards their education and living expenses.

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Application Process for LExS

The application process for the LExS involves several steps:

Apply for Admission: First, applicants must submit their application for admission to the desired Master's program at Leiden University.
Scholarship Application: After submitting the application for admission, return to the Apply screen in your online application and click on Scholarships. Note: if you cannot see the LExS in your scholarships section, you have either not yet submitted your application for admission, missed the deadline or are not eligible for the LExS.
Motivation Letter: Indicate that you want to apply for the LExS then upload your LExS motivation letter. This must be a PDF file of max. 500 words, in which you explain why you would like to be considered for the award.
Submit Before Deadline: Submit your scholarship application before the LExS deadline. Late scholarship applications will not be considered. The student is responsible for submitting a complete application, according to the steps described above and before the aforementioned deadline.

Important Considerations for LExS Recipients

If the student terminates the study prematurely, any requests for reimbursement of tuition fees will be made to Leiden University and analogues to the “Regeling inschrijving, college- en examengeld” for the applicable academic year. The student should submit the de registration form to Leiden University.
Combination with Other Scholarships: It is not possible to combine the LExS with another full scholarship from an external provider. Students are obliged to notify the scholarships department if they receive a full scholarship from another source. In some circumstances, the LExS may be combined with a partial scholarship from an external provider. Contact the Scholarships Team for further details.
Duration of Award: The LExS is awarded for the duration of the study program. If and when awarded a LExS, the level of the award is final and non-negotiable.
Personal Contribution: The LExS is not a full scholarship and does not cover the full cost of your studies. Always keep in mind that a significant personal contribution will be required. Be aware that the LExS is a highly competitive scholarship.
Notification of Other Scholarships: The student should notify the Leiden University if another full scholarship such as the Netherlands Fellowship Program, Jean Monnet etc.
Academic Progress: For a program lasting more than one year, the student is required to obtain a minimum of 60 ECTS in the first year of study in order to retain the right to LExS for the following academic year.
Multiple Applications: A student is allowed to submit several applications for scholarships at one time. However, it is not possible to combine scholarships which are provided or sponsored by Leiden University. This concerns the following scholarship programs: Orange Tulip - China and CEU Praesidium Libertatis.
Postponement: In case a student has been awarded a LExS for the September (or February) intake and decides to postpone his/her participation in the study program, the LExS will be revoked.
Transferability: A LExS granted for the academic year as specified in the decision letter cannot be transferred to another academic year or to a next intake within the same academic year.
Change of Degree Program: Continuation of the LExS is not guaranteed when a student changes his or her degree program during the study program. Requests will be reviewed case by case and the final decision will be taken by the Faculty Selection Committee(s).

Deadline

The deadline to send applications for Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2025 is 01 Feb, 2026.

Minerva Scholarship Fund (MSF)

The Minerva Scholarship Fund Foundation is a registered charity (ANBI) that aims to provide scholarships for study and research projects within various fields of study. In particular, the MSF strives to fund exceptional and exclusive student projects abroad.

Eligibility and Focus

The project falls into one of the following categories: internship, study or research.

Application Process

The student is responsible for submitting a complete application, according to the steps described above and before the aforementioned deadline.

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Note: There are two MSF application rounds per year. The deadlines for these are 15 April and 15 November. The allocation committee (consisting of Leiden lecturers from various disciples) will evaluate all applications on the basis of predetermined criteria. You will be informed (max.) one month after the application deadline whether you have been awarded a scholarship. It is not possible to appeal against scholarship decisions.

Collaboration with Other Scholarship Programs

Leiden University also collaborates with various international scholarship programs to provide opportunities for students from specific countries:

LPDP (Indonesia): Leiden University is cooperating with LPDP to provide opportunities to Indonesian LPDP awardees to study in Leiden for a Master of PhD degree. Prospective master students should follow the regular application procedures and mention that they are awarded an LPDP scholarship (or in the process of applying for a LPDP scholarship.
Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia (KEMENAG): Scholars from Islamic universities and Islamic Institutes of Higher Education can apply for a PhD position at Leiden University.
Ministry RISTEKDIKTI: The Ministry RISTEKDIKTI is offering scholarships in close cooperation with Leiden University.

Other External Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to the scholarships offered directly by Leiden University, international students can explore various external scholarship opportunities provided by organizations, foundations, and government bodies. Some examples include:

Education Future International Scholarship - USA & Non-USA 2025: This scholarship supports students pursuing various courses. The deadline is 10 Nov, 2025, and the value ranges from INR 2 lakhs to INR 10 lakhs.
Higher Education Scholarship Test for Indian Students HEST 2025: Offered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, India, this scholarship is for all courses except Medicine/MBBS. The deadline is 10 Nov, 2025, and it provides funding up to 3 lac per student.
UACES Scholarships 2026: Provided by the University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES), this scholarship supports students in all subjects. The deadline is 07 Nov, 2025, and the value is GBP 1,500.
Catherine Helen Spence Memorial Scholarship, 2025: Offered by the Government of South Australia, this scholarship focuses on social conditions in South Australia. The deadline is 03 Nov, 2025, and the value is up to AUD 25,000.
Holland Scholarship for International Students in Netherlands 2025: Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, this scholarship supports students in all subjects. The deadline is 10 Nov, 2025, and the value is EUR 5,000 for the first year of study.
Microsoft Imagine Cup Global Competition 2026: This competition, sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, focuses on design solutions. The deadline is 05 Jan, 2026, and the prize is a USD 100,000 cash prize.
Study Abroad Excellence Award 2025: This award supports students in any discipline. The deadline is 10 Nov, 2025, and the value varies.
State Scholarships For Slovenian Students 2025: Offered by the Government of Slovenia, this scholarship supports students in all subjects of study. The deadline is 10 Nov, 2025, and the value is 100.64 euros.
Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowships at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2026: This fellowship supports students in Art, Architecture, Dance, Landscape Architecture, Music, Theatre, Urban and Regional Planning. The deadline is 10 Nov, 2025, and the value covers travel/research expenses.

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