The glass-walled European Parliament Paul Henri-Spaak building facade in Brussels.

the Netherlands Applications open Closes 1 February 2027

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a competitive merit-based award for outstanding non-EU/EEA students joining a taught Master's at Leiden. The award comes in three tiers — €10,000, €15,000, or full tuition (covering up to €19,000+ for premium programmes) — applied to the first year of study. A separate scholarship application and a strong motivation letter are required.

2026/27 entry: applications closed 1 February 2026 — 2027/28 entry round opens October 2026

Leiden University (Netherlands)

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

€10,000 / €15,000 / Full Tuition

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Duration

First Year of Master's

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Awards

Limited — Highly Competitive

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

Leiden University (Netherlands) — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.

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What it covers

€10,000 / €15,000 / Full Tuition Discount. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.

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Where we come in

We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Non-EU/EEA Citizenship

Open to non-EU/EEA international students paying institutional (non-EU) tuition rates. Sri Lankan citizens applying from Sri Lanka qualify.

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Offer for an Eligible Leiden Master's

You must hold an offer for an eligible Leiden taught Master's programme. Not all programmes participate — check the LExS eligible programme list for the current cycle.

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Top 10% of Bachelor's Class

Applicants must rank in the top 10% of their Bachelor's class — typically a first-class honours from a recognised Sri Lankan university (Colombo, Peradeniya, Moratuwa, etc.).

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Strong Motivation Letter

A focused motivation letter explaining why Leiden, why this programme, and how the Master's connects to your career and impact goals — the most heavily weighted element of the scholarship review.

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Apply for the Master's first

Submit your Leiden Master's application via Studielink and the Leiden University application portal. You must apply by 15 January (early deadline) to be considered for LExS.

Submit LExS Application

Apply via the LExS portal by 1 February — submit the official scholarship application form and a motivation letter (typically 500-800 words).

Selection Panel Review

The Leiden scholarship committee reviews applications on academic merit, motivation, and the programme-specific committee's ranking. Outcomes are typically announced in April.

Accept and Enrol

Successful awardees receive the discount applied directly to their first-year tuition. Accept the scholarship and confirm enrolment by the published deadline.

Why Leiden University?

Founded in 1575, Leiden is the Netherlands' oldest university and consistently ranked in the world's top 100. Particularly strong in law, international relations, archaeology, life sciences, and Asian studies. Located in a charming historic city 30 minutes from Amsterdam and The Hague.

#80

QS World Ranking 2026

1575

Founded

16

Nobel Laureates

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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