Scholarship Description:
Continue your education in the Netherlands. Excellent news! The Excellence Scholarship at Leiden University is now available. This article will go through the scholarship program, its perks, and the application procedure in depth. The Leiden University Excellence Award 2023-2024 is a tuition-free master’s degree scholarship available to overseas students. This scholarship awards an average of € 15,000 each year. The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is open to overseas students interested in pursuing a master’s degree at Leiden University in the Netherlands. These scholarships are fully sponsored and given to deserving candidates. The quantity and type of scholarships awarded are determined by the funds allocated to each Faculty department. Leiden University, founded in 1575, is a renowned international research university in Europe. The University’s motto is ‘Praesidium Libertatis’ (Bastion of Liberty). It includes seven faculties scattered across Leiden and The Hague in the sciences, arts, and social sciences. The University employs around 6,700 people and has 28,130 students. (1 February for programs beginning 1 September / 1 October for programs beginning 1 February)
Degree Level:
- Masters level programs
Available Subjects:
- Humanities, Archaeology, Medicine/LUMC, Law, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Governance and Global Affairs, Science, Interfacultair Centrum voor Lerarenopleiding, Onderwijsontwikkeling en Nascholing (ICLON), African Studies Centre, International Institute for Asian Studies.
Scholarship Benefits:
- € 15,000 in tuition fees
- €10,000 in tuition fees
- Total tuition charge less mandatory tuition fee
Eligibility Criteria:
- English is the required language.
- International students from non-EU/EEA countries are eligible.
- Prior academic education must have resulted in exceptional study outcomes that are relevant to the program in which the student seeks to enroll. As a rough estimate, the student will be in the top 10% for the relevant program pursued overseas.
- Students must have had exceptional academic achievements in their prior schooling, which must be related to the Master’s degree for which they are applying. As an example, the student is in the top 10% of graduates from his or her prior study program. It should be noted that verification of ranking is not necessary; this information is provided just to illustrate the level of competitiveness.
- The student will have a non-EU/EEA passport and will be ineligible for study grants and loans under the Dutch “Studiefinanciering” system. Please visit www.duo.nl for additional details. This does not apply to the Advanced Masters program; application for the LExS is accessible to all nationalities.
- When a student changes his or her degree program during the study program, continuation of the LExS is not assured. Requests will be examined on a case-by-case basis, with the Faculty Selection Committee making the final decision (s). If the change occurs before the student has registered for the study program, the LExS scholarship will be canceled and the student must reapply.
- Except for partial scholarships, which must be verified in writing in advance, the student is not entitled to accept any further full scholarships for the same program. If the student receives another full scholarship, such as the Netherlands Fellowship Program, Jean Monnet, etc., he or she must tell Leiden University and specify which grant was accepted.
- In order to preserve the right to LExS for the next academic year in a program lasting more than one year, the student must acquire a minimum of 60 ECTS in the first year of study.
- The student must adhere to Dutch visa requirements.
- Those admitted to a second Master’s program at Leiden University will not be eligible for the LExS, with the exception of students enrolling for a Master’s program that requires a specific previous Master’s program or work experience.
- Throughout the academic year, Leiden University should be notified as soon as feasible of any change in nationality, kind of residence permit, and/or potential “Studiefinanciering” funding.
- If the student withdraws from the program early, all demands for tuition price reimbursement will be made to Leiden University and according to the “Regeling inschrijving, college- en examen-geld” for the appropriate academic year. The student must complete and return the registration form to Leiden University. If appropriate, the student will be reimbursed for the tuition amount minus the scholarship on a pro-rata basis.
- During his or her studies at Leiden University, the student will participate actively in efforts to promote the LExS.
- The student must accept the LExS scholarship by completing the ‘Acceptance Form LExS’.
Application Procedure:
- Apply for admission to a Master’s program at Leiden University online and pay the application cost, if any.
- Indicate that you want to apply for a LExS in the scholarship part of your online application.
- As specified in your online application, upload your LExS motivation letter. This is a 500-word Word document in which you explain why you want to be considered for the prize.
- Before the LExS application deadline, submit your online application, which includes your LExS application.
- If you apply for more than one study program and want to apply for a LExS for each, be sure to specify this in each application and file a LExS motivation letter for each.
