Tag Archives: Masters

master's, Opportunities, Scholarships

LEIDEN UNIVERSITY EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP (LExS)

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Application Deadline: 1 December 2026

LOCATION: The Netherlands

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 programmes at Leiden Law School.

ELIGIBILITY:

Countries/nationalities: Non-EEA/non-EFTA students / Exception: All nationalities for Advanced LLMs & MSc Int. Relations and Diplomacy

Faculty: Archaeology, Humanities, Medicine/LUMC, Governance and Global Affairs, Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Science

Applicants for all Master’s programme at Leiden University starting in September, with the exception of : Leiden Law School’s LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes.

Applicants must have a non-EEA/non-EFTA* passport, and may not be eligible for student finance via the Dutch government (Studiefinanciering) – with the exceptions of students applying for the programmes listed below for which no nationality restrictions apply:

All LLM Advanced Studies programmes

MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy

Students must have achieved excellent academic results in their previous study programme(s), which must be relevant to the Master’s programme for which they are applying. As an indication, the student is amongst the top 10% of graduates in their previous study programme. Note that proof of ranking is not required – this information is purely to indicate the level of competitiveness.

Apply online for admission to a Master’s programme at Leiden University and pay the application fee if applicable.

Note: It can take up to 3 working days to create/submit an application for admission, so start your application well before the LExS deadline. 

After submitting your application for admission, return to the Apply screen in your online application and click on Scholarships. If you are eligible to apply for the LExS, it will now be visible in the scholarships section.

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.

    BENEFIT:

    The LExS is awarded for the duration of the study programme. There are five available levels of awards:

    €10,000 of the tuition fee

    € 15,000 of the tuition fee

    € 17,500 of the tuition fee

    € 18,500 of the tuition fee

    € 19,000 of the tuition fee

    If and when awarded a LExS, the level of the award is final and non-negotiable. 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. Non-EEA LExS recipients must still submit ‘proof of sufficient funds’ for their student visa/residence permit application.

    Be aware that the LExS is a highly competitive scholarship. Leiden University only has around 25 LExS scholarships available each year, while over a thousand students apply for the scholarships.

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    master's, Opportunities, PhD/post doctoral, Scholarships

    DEVELOPMENT-RELATED POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS (EPOS) • DAAD

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    LOCATION: Germany

    The DAAD promotes the training of specialists from developing and emerging countries through its development-related postgraduate programs. The scholarships offer international graduates from developing and emerging countries in all academic disciplines and with at least two years of professional experience the opportunity to pursue a postgraduate or Master’s degree and, in exceptional cases, a doctoral program, at a state-run or state-recognized German university and to obtain a university degree (Master’s/PhD) in Germany.

    ELIGIBILITY:

    Graduates with at least two years of professional experience from the following countries: List of eligible countries

    Individual scholarships for studies exclusively in degree programs in Germany, which are listed below: List of all postgraduate study programs with application deadlines 2027/28

    The ideal candidates

    They work either in a government agency, a state institution, or a private company in a developing country and are accordingly involved in the planning and implementation of projects with a focus on development cooperation.

    Have a bachelor’s degree (usually four years) in the relevant field.

    Have completed their studies with above-average results (top third of the rankings) and have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience after their bachelor’s degree at the time of the application deadline.

    The respective university degree should generally not be more than six years old.

    Applicants who have been in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application cannot be considered.

    Language skills:

    For German-language degree programs, DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 at the start of studies; proof of German language proficiency at level B1 with a current certificate is required at the time of application.
    Please note: Some German-language or bilingual degree programs require very good German language skills at the time of application. Detailed information can be found in the respective program descriptions.
    It should be expressly pointed out that without basic knowledge (at least B1 level) of German, it is not possible to successfully pass the language exam (DSH or TestDaF) required for the degree program, even with the preceding six-month intensive language course in Germany. Passing the language exam is a formal requirement for enrollment at the German university.

    For English-language degree programs: Proof of adequate English language skills, in accordance with the requirements of the respective degree program. Please refer to the individual degree program descriptions for detailed information.

    BENEFIT:

    Scholarship benefits:

    Monthly stipend rate depending on level of education: 992 euros for graduates and 1,300 euros (1,400 euros from February 2026) for doctoral candidates.

    Benefits for health, accident and personal liability insurance

    A subsidy towards travel expenses, provided the costs are not covered by the home country or another party.

    Furthermore, the following additional benefits may be granted under certain conditions:

    Monthly rent subsidies

    Monthly allowances for accompanying family members

    Duration of funding: 12 to 42 months (depending on the course of study)

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