How to Apply for Leiden University Scholarships in 2022 for International Students

Studying abroad is undoubtedly a great way to develop additional social, academic and language skills, while adding unparalleled depth to your university experience. Study overseas can improve your university years as well as ultimately give you a competitive edge when it comes to your job search as recruiters are looking for those who have actively used various ways to expand their experience.

While it is true that some students would prefer to apply for scholarships to study abroad at Amsterdam University. Studying at the Leiden University offers a variety of unforgettable experiences.

Leiden University is a public research university in Leiden, Netherlands. Founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange as a reward to the town of Leiden for its defense against Spanish attacks during the Eighty Years’ War, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the Netherlands.

At Leiden University you can choose from 11 English-taught bachelor’s and 250 English-taught master’s programmes. We enjoy an excellent worldwide reputation accumulated over more than four centuries. Today we’re consistently highly placed in major rankings, such as The Times Higher Education, QS and Shanghai Rankings.

Applying for Leiden University Scholarships for International Students

The Leiden University recognizes student excellence, diversity, and achievement through an array of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships have been developed with international students in mind.

1. CEU-Praesidium Libertatis Scholarship

Each academic year, two full scholarships are awarded to recent graduates of Central European University (CEU) who wish to follow a 1-year master’s programme at Leiden University.

Deadline: Application for admission to Leiden University & Scholarship application to CEU: 12 February 2021

2. CSC-Leiden University Scholarship

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) provides scholarships for outstanding Chinese master’s students, recent graduates and young (academic) professionals who want to do a full-time PhD programme at Leiden University.

Deadline: Leiden University deadline: 21 February 2021 for Science faculty candidates and 28 February 2021 for candidates of all other faculties / CSC deadline: between 10 and 31 March 2021

3. Erasmus+ for Studies

You can apply for an Erasmus+ study grant if you are a Bachelor/Master/PhD student and want to follow part of your study programme or conduct research in a European country at a partner university.

Deadline: Two months before the start date of your Erasmus+ peri

4. Erasmus+ for Teaching Assignments

For Leiden University teaching staff, who want to carry out a teaching assignment (seminars, lectures and/or tutorials) at a European partner university.

Deadline: One month before the start date of your Erasmus+ period

5. Erasmus+ for Traineeships

You can apply for an Erasmus+ traineeship grant if you are a Bachelor/Master/PhD student and want to do a traineeship at a partner university, organisation or enterprise in Europe.

Deadline: One month before the start date of your Erasmus+ period

6. Erasmus+ for Traineeships after Graduation

You can apply for an Erasmus+ grant for Traineeships after Graduation if you want to do a traineeship at a university, organisation or enterprise in Europe within one year of graduating from a Bachelor or Master programme at Leiden University.

Deadline: Before you graduate from Leiden University

7. Erasmus+ for Training

For Leiden University staff members, who want to undertake training at a European partner university or another relevant organisation.

Deadline: One month before the start date of your Erasmus+ period

8. Erasmus+ Master Degree Loan

The Erasmus+ Master Degree Loan is an EU-guaranteed loan with favourable pay-back terms that can help you to finance a one or two year master’s programme in an Erasmus+ programme country.

Deadline: See Erasmus+ website

9. Holland Scholarship – Incoming students

The Holland Scholarship is intended for talented international students who would like to follow an English-taught Bachelor’s programme at Leiden University.

Deadline: 1 February 2021

10. Holland Scholarship – Outgoing

The Holland Scholarship (outgoing) is intended for talented Leiden University Bachelor’s and Master’s students who want to study, undertake research, or do an internship at an institution or company outside Switzerland and the EEA (excluding the United Kingdom).

Deadline: 1 April 2020

11. Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)

For excellent students joining a full-time Leiden University Master’s degree programme – with the exception of LLM (non-advanced) and MSc programmes at Leiden Law School

Deadline: 1 Feb for programmes starting 1 Sept* / 1 Oct for programmes starting 1 Feb* / *1 March for all Advanced LLMs

12. Leiden University Fund – Lutfia Rabbani Scholarship Fund

This fund is intended for students who have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence and a strong motivation to promote Euro-Arab dialogue.

Deadline: 30 April 2020

13. Leiden University South Africa scholarship – University of Pretoria

This Scholarship is intended for students of the University of Pretoria, South Africa, who would like to study at Leiden University for one or two semester(s) as part of an exchange programme.

Deadline: Leiden University deadline: 15 Oct (programmes starting Feb); 1 April (programmes starting Sept).

14. Leiden University South Africa scholarship – University of the Western Cape

This Scholarship is intended for students of the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, who would like to study at Leiden University for one or two semester as part of an exchange programme.

Deadline: Leiden University deadline: 15 Oct (programmes starting Feb); 1 April (programmes starting Sept).

15. LUF International Study Fund (LISF)

Leiden University students and recent graduates sometimes miss out on the regular exchange programmes, despite having an original plan for a project abroad. The LUF International Study Fund (LISF) can help them by securing funding for their project.

16. LUSTRA+ Scholarship: Bachelor, Master Scholarship

You can apply for a LUSTRA+ scholarship if you are a Bachelor or Master student and want to study, conduct research, or do an internship at an institution or company outside Europe.

Deadline: Two weeks before the start date of your LUSTRA+ period

17. Mandela Scholarship Fund: Bachelor, Master Scholarship

The Mandela Scholarship is intended for South African students, who want to study at Leiden University for one semester in order to extend their knowledge and contribute to the development of South Africa.

Deadline: 1 October for programmes starting in February / 1 April for programmes starting in September

18. Minerva Scholarship Fund: Bachelor, Master | Scholarship

Since 2009, the Minerva Scholarship Fund Foundation (MSF) has provided Leiden University students of all disciplines with scholarships for study and research projects. The MSF also strives to support exceptional student projects overseas.

Deadline: 15 December and 15 April

19. SallieMae Smart Option Loan: Bachelor, Master, Short Course, PhD | Loan

SallieMae is a loan provider in the US, who offers private loans to US and Canadian students to cover their costs for their study period abroad.

Deadline: Leiden University application deadline: 1 April (programmes starting Sept) & 15 Oct (programmes starting Feb)

20. StuNed Scholarship: Master Scholarship

The StuNed programme provides scholarships for Indonesian professionals and recent graduates wishing to follow a master’s programme in the Netherlands, with the underlying objective of strengthening both human resources in Indonesia and Dutch-Indonesian relations.

Deadline: For master’s programmes starting in September 2021: 8 March 2021

21. Trustee Funds (Curatorenfondsen): Bachelor, Master Scholarship

Trustee funds are intended to contribute towards the study costs of students who are going abroad for a study-related activity but are unable to fund the activity without additional financial support.

Deadline: Two weeks before the activity abroad

22. VSBfonds Beurs: Bachelor, Master, PhD Scholarship

Deadline: 1 March

23. Yenching Academy of Peking University: Bachelor Scholarship

The Yenching Academy offers international students a fellowship to pursue a Master of Arts degree programme in China Studies. The programme is open for students from all programmes and faculties.

Deadline: 15 November

24. Children’s Rights Scholarship 1: Master Scholarship

The Children’s Rights Scholarship 1 is intended for students who wish to follow the Master of Laws Advanced Studies programme in International Children’s Rights and meet all criteria for admission.

Deadline: 1 March 2021

25. Children’s Rights Scholarship 2: Master Scholarship

The Children’s Rights Scholarship 2 is intended for students who wish to follow the Master of Laws Advanced Studies programme in International Children’s Rights and meet all criteria for admission.

Deadline: 1 March 2021

26. CSC Joint PhD programme on Artifical Intelligence and Bioscience between Leiden University and Xi’an Jiatong University: PhD Scholarship

Leiden University (LU) and Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) have set up a joint doctoral programme dedicated to the cross-disciplinary research in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Bioscience. In this context, the Chinese Scholarship Council will fund 30 talented PhD students in 3 years from Xi’an Jiatong University.

Deadline: Call opens in March 2020

27. Kuiper-Overpelt Study Fund: Master Scholarship

The Kuiper-Overpelt Study Fund is a scholarship programme for talented students from developing countries who wish to follow the Master of Laws Advanced Studies programme in International Children’s Rights and meet all criteria for admission.

Deadline: 1 March 2021

28. LION scholarship: Master Scholarship

For excellent non-Dutch students, LION provides scholarships which in part are made available by the Den Adel Fund and the Gorter Fund. The scholarships are for two years, with renewal for the second year conditional on successful completion of the first year.

Deadline: February 1

29. Oort scholarship: Master Scholarship

Leiden Observatory is pleased to offer Oort scholarships to excellent, non-Dutch master’s students. The scholarships are meant for students who have a bachelor’s degree in astronomy or physics, and wish to obtain their master’s (MSc) degree in Astronomy research at Leiden University. Successful candidates must be of outstanding academic merit and in need of financial support.

Deadline: October 1 (for students starting in February) and February 1 (for students starting in September)

30. Walraven scholarship: Master Scholarship

The Walraven scholarship is available for excellent, non-Dutch master’s students. The scholarships are intended for students who have a bachelor’s degree in astronomy or physics, and wish to obtain their master’s (MSc) degree in Astronomy and Instrumentation at Leiden University. Successful candidates must be of outstanding academic merit and in need of financial support.

Deadline: February 1 (for students planning to start in September).

For More Details: Visit the official page of the Leiden University Scholarships

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