Leiden University Excellence Scholarship | The University of Leiden is offering a world-class scholarship opportunity to qualified and eligible students who want to continue their postgraduate program in the Netherlands for the 2024-2025 academic session.
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The scholarship is open to international students who are from somewhere other than the European Union(EU) or European Economic Area(EEA). The students must be bright and intelligent and have a high level of academic performance, as shown in their previous academic records.
Leiden University scholarship is not a fully funded program, but a certain amount and fee will be provided by the host university, which will aid you financially during your master’s degree program.
Only those enrolled in full-time master’s degree courses can benefit from this scholarship program. The duration of these courses is between 12 and 24 months.
Not all courses are eligible for the scholarship program. You should ensure that the course you are currently studying at Leiden University is eligible for this scholarship offer.
A detailed explanation of this scholarship and its application procedures is all you need to make your application stand out among other students applying for this scholarship opportunity. Make sure to read to the end.
Benefits of the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship
The scholarship program provides you with financial support throughout your study program and covers the following benefits
- €10,000 of the tuition fee
- €15,000 of Tuition fee
- Your institutional fee will only be taken care of, not the statutory tuition fees.
Leiden University scholarship-eligible courses
If you are in any of the following faculty or offer any of the following courses at Leiden University, then you are eligible to apply for this scholarship
- Archaeology
- Humanities
- Medicine/LUMC
- Governance and global affairs
- Law
- Social and behavioral sciences
- Sciences
- African Studies center
- International Institute for African Studies
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Requirements
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship requires that you meet the following criteria before seeking to apply
- Citizenship: This scholarship is available to citizens and international students who are not from the European Union / European Economic Area.
- Admission: You must be fully admitted to study a master’s degree program course at Leiden University before becoming eligible to apply for this scholarship.
- Language of Instruction: The primary language for teaching and learning at Leiden University is English. You should be able to communicate in it fluently.
- Academic excellence: You must have proven records showing your high level of academic performance relevant to the program of study you want to enrol in. Infant, you should be among the top 10% of the best-graduating students in your previous study program
- Duration of Scholarship: This scholarship is valid only during the duration of your master’s degree program. The maximum period of study lies between 12-24 months, depending on your course of study.
- Double degree: This scholarship is not eligible to those who are currently studying for their second master’s degree at Leiden University
- Other scholarship Beneficiary: if you have been offered a full scholarship opportunity by any other scholarship awarding organization to study a master’s degree course at Leiden University, then you are not eligible to apply for the Leiden Excellence scholarship.
- Community service: You must engage in activities that will promote the interest of the host institution and the scholarship program.
How to Apply for Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2024
You can apply for this scholarship yourself using just an internet-enabled device from the comfort of your home.
The guidelines listed below will give you a detailed explanation of how you can apply for this scholarship correctly.
- Apply for University Admission: The first step is to apply for admission into the desired master’s degree course of your choice and pay the application fee. This can be done by visiting their website.
- Please fill out the scholarship form: After submitting your admission form, you are to indicate that you want to study at the university through their scholarship program by clicking on the scholarship section. If you are eligible, a form will pop up for you to fill out.
- Upload Leiden motivation letter: upload a motivation letter of a maximum of 500 words stating the reasons why you should be given the scholarship. The motivation letter should be uploaded in pdf format.
- Please review and submit: Review your filled scholarship form, make necessary corrections, and submit it before the application deadline.
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Deadline
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is organized annually to select the best students globally.
The application phase for this scholarship opens twice a year. For students who want to start their study program on September 1st for that academic year, the phase opens between January and ends on February 1st.
The second application phase opens in August and ends on October 1st for students who want to start their study program on February 1st for the next academic year.
Whatever period you wish to apply, you are to ensure you possess all the necessary documents needed for you to be successfully given admission to study your desired master’s degree course.
FAQS
Does Leiden University Offer Scholarships for International Students?
Yes. Leiden University offers scholarship opportunities to international students who want to further their education at the university.
What Is the Leiden Excellence Award?
The Leiden Excellence Award is a scholarship given to international students from non-EU and EEA countries who are admitted to study a master’s degree course at Leiden University.
What Is the Acceptance Rate for Leiden University?
For you to be accepted to Leiden University, you must be an intelligent student with an academic assessment of 63% and a good English test score( for non-English speakers ).
Does Leiden University Have an Application Fee?
Yes, during the admission phase, you will be mandated to pay a non-refundable application fee of €100
Is Leiden University Free for International Students?
Leiden University is not free for international students, especially if you are not a citizen of an EEA country, Suriname, or Switzerland. You can only study for free if you are awarded a scholarship.
What Grades Do You Need To Get into Leiden University?
Your previous academic background must be relevant to the one you intend to study at the university, and you must have a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 grading level to get into Leiden University.
Final Thoughts
If you have already applied to study multiple program courses, you can apply for more than one Leiden University scholarship. You must submit your motivation letter for each program.
The selection of qualified candidates will be carried out six weeks after the scholarship application deadline. If you are selected, you will be notified via email.
When notified, you must go back to the scholarship portal and accept your scholarship offer before the stated deadline. Please take it to avoid cancelling your scholarship.
Applicants whose study programs start in February will be notified by November, while those whose programs start in October the following year will be notified by April.
If you have been admitted to study a master’s degree program that takes more than 24 months and has been awarded the scholarship, you will be able to retain it for the second year if you obtain a minimum of 60 ECTS in your first academic year.
Despite being given the scholarship, you will be mandated to pay a statutory tuition fee during your study period at the university.
At the end of the program, you are to return to your country of residence and use the knowledge/skills acquired in the improvement of your local community.
