NetherlandsQS #119LeidenPublic UniversityTaught in English, DutchPartially FundedTuition from €10,000 per yearLeiden University Excellence Scholarship
منحة جامعة لايدن للتميز
ForsaEduforsaedu.comAbout the scholarship program
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is offered by Leiden University in the Netherlands to high-achieving non-EU master's students as a tuition-fee reduction of varying amounts, which can cover a large share of the fee. Candidates are considered through their master's admission application, and awards are based on academic excellence. Deadlines and conditions are published on the scholarship page.
Tuition for international students
Available programmes
Each programme has its own requirements, documents and benefits. Open it to see them in full with the application steps:
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Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
MasterPartially Funded37 majorsDecember 1, 2026
Life and living
Leiden · Netherlands
Life and living
Leiden · Netherlands
Living in Leiden
The oldest university city in the Netherlands, with canals and historic museums, home to Leiden University, founded in 1575.
Student housing
Leiden University estimates rent at EUR 400–800 a month including water, gas and electricity, and total living costs at EUR 1,214–1,644 a month excluding tuition (Nibud data).
Transport for students
The free student travel product (OV) follows the nationality rules of Dutch student finance, so most international students do not get it; they pay normal fares with an OV-chipkaart or a bank card, and most students cycle.
Top landmarks
Hortus Botanicus Leiden
Roger Veringmeier · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Goodness Shamrock · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Burcht van Leiden
nl:gebruiker:Ellywa · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Studying and living in Netherlands
Costs and living
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students in the Netherlands: • Bachelor's Degrees at research universities: between €9,000 and €15,000 per academic year (clinical/medical up to €22,000). • Master's Degrees: between €12,000 and €21,000 annually depending on programme, technical specialization, and faculty. Living Costs & Visa Financial Proof (2026/27): The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) sets the statutory student subsistence norm. In 2026, students must demonstrate approximately **€1,050 to €1,100 per month** (approx. €12,600 to €13,200 annually) for living expenses, usually deposited directly to the university alongside tuition.
Working while studying
Non-EU students can work up to 16 hours per week during the academic year or full-time during the summer months (June to August), requiring an easily obtainable work permit (TWV) filed by the employer. The post-study «Orientation Year» (Zoekjaar): Graduates of Dutch Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD programmes are granted a **full 12-month unrestricted residence permit** to work without any employment permits, offering an exceptional and expedited transition into the Dutch Highly Skilled Migrant scheme.
Faculties and programmes
8 faculties · 45 programmes
Faculties and programmes
8 faculties · 45 programmes
Programmes taught at each faculty, with study levels and teaching language where the university publishes them. Admission and funding differ per programme.
Faculty of Archaeology
BachelorMasterPhDENEnglishNLDutch- Archaeology· Bachelor, PhD:NLEN· Master:EN
Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (incl. Leiden University College The Hague)
BachelorMasterPhDENEnglishNLDutch- Cybersecurity· MasterEN
- International Relations· MasterEN
- Political Science
Faculty of Humanities
BachelorMasterPhDENEnglishNLDutch- Digital Media· MasterEN
- Film & Television Production· MasterEN
- History· Bachelor:NL· Master:EN· PhD:NLEN
- International Relations· Bachelor, MasterEN
- Journalism· MasterNL
- Languages and Literature
- Philosophy· Bachelor, PhD:NLEN· Master:EN
- Theology & Religious Studies· Bachelor:NL· Master:EN· PhD:NLEN
- Translation· Master
Faculty of Law (Leiden Law School)
BachelorMasterPhDENEnglishNLDutch- Corporate Law· Bachelor:NL· Master, PhD:NLEN
- Criminal Law· Bachelor:NL· Master, PhD:NLEN
- Economics· MasterEN
- Human Rights Law· Bachelor:NL· Master:EN· PhD:NLEN
- International Law· Bachelor:NL· Master, PhD:NLEN
Show all faculties (+4)Show less
Faculty of Medicine / Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC)
BachelorMasterPhDENEnglishNLDutch- Biology· Bachelor:NL· Master:EN· PhD:NLEN
- Biomedical Engineering· Bachelor, Master:NL
- General Medicine· Bachelor, Master:NL· PhD:NLEN
- Pharmacy· MasterEN
- Public Health· MasterEN
Faculty of Science
BachelorMasterPhDENEnglishNLDutch- Artificial Intelligence· Bachelor, Master:EN
- Astronomy· Bachelor:NL· Master:EN· PhD:NLEN
- Biology· Bachelor:NL· Master:EN· PhD:NLEN
- Chemical Engineering· BachelorNL
- Chemistry· Bachelor:NL· Master:EN· PhD:NLEN
- Computer Science· Bachelor, PhD:NLEN· Master:EN
- Data Science & Analytics· Bachelor, Master:EN
- Digital Media· MasterEN
- Environmental Science· Bachelor, Master:EN
- Information Technology (IT)· MasterEN
- Mathematics· Bachelor:NL· Master:EN· PhD:NLEN
- Pharmacy· Bachelor:NL· Master, PhD:NLEN
- Physics· Bachelor:NL· Master:EN· PhD:NLEN
- Statistics· MasterEN
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
BachelorMasterPhDENEnglishNLDutch- Anthropology· Bachelor, PhD:NLEN· Master:EN
- Curriculum & Instruction· Bachelor:NL· Master:NLEN
- Educational Psychology· Bachelor:NL· Master, PhD:NLEN
- International Relations· Bachelor:NLEN· Master:EN
- Political Science· Bachelor, PhD:NLEN· Master:EN
- Psychology
- Special Education· MasterNL
- Curriculum & Instruction
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps.
Funding type: Partially Funded. Announced benefits: Tuition reduction of €10,000 to €19,000.
The latest deadline we have is December 1, 2026. Dates can differ by university or programme, so confirm on the official website.
Required documents: Official Law Degree & Academic Transcript, Specialized Legal Motivation Letter.
Apply directly on the official website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en. ForsaEdu does not receive applications or charge any fee.
QS World University Rankings 2026
Rank#119
Track your academic readiness
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