Netherlands Leiden University Law & Political Science Scholarships 2025 – No IELTS Required With Monthly Stipends? A Realistic Guide

Introduction

Leiden University is one of the Netherlands’ oldest and most respected institutions — globally recognized for law, international law, political science, public policy and human rights. That reputation makes Leiden a magnet for talented students from Africa, Asia and beyond who want rigorous training and the international platform to influence policy, law and governance.

A headline many applicants hope to see is: “Fully funded scholarship — no IELTS required — monthly living stipend included.” It sounds perfect. But scholarship reality is rarely that simple. Some Leiden awards cover tuition but not living costs; others allow an IELTS waiver in narrow circumstances; a small number of external fellowships cover stipends — but they’re competitive and often targeted.

This guide gives you one clear promise: after you read it you will know what’s real, what’s possible, and exactly how to plan so you can study law or political science at Leiden in 2025 with the best possible funding and a realistic plan to cover living costs.

Quick summary (what you need to know first)

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is the primary, university-level scholarship for non-EU/EEA master’s students. It mainly offers tuition waivers rather than full living stipends. It also excludes some programmes (notably many non-advanced LLMs and some humanities programmes).
Leiden requires proof of English proficiency for most master’s programmes; English test exemptions are possible but limited — check the published language requirements. The usual benchmark is IELTS Academic ~6.5 (varies by programme), and Leiden’s official language requirement guidance explains accepted tests and exemptions.
Full monthly living stipends combined with automatic IELTS waivers are rare. Most successful applicants stack funding (LExS or university tuition support + external fellowships + small departmental grants + savings).
Actionable path: Aim for tuition coverage first (LExS or external full-tuition award), pursue additional stipends or paid assistant roles, and prepare to justify English proficiency through documented prior instruction in English if possible.

You’ll find step-by-step timelines, a budget table, SOP template, example applicant stories (Africa & Asia), FAQs and a final checklist in this article.

Section 1 — What scholarships exist at Leiden for Law & Political Science in 2025?

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)

The LExS is Leiden’s flagship scholarship targeting excellent non-EEA / non-EFTA students entering full-time master’s programmes. The scholarship’s primary output is tuition reduction (partial or full) and it is awarded across faculties. Key features:

Targets meritorious international students for master’s studies.
Offers tuition waivers (amount depends on selection and faculty funding).
Does not reliably provide a monthly living stipend designed to cover all living costs — recipients are normally required to show they can fund living expenses for a visa unless a stipend is explicitly stated.
Certain programmes are excluded (for example, many non-advanced LLMs and specific humanities programmes). Check the program list closely.

This makes LExS extremely valuable — it removes the largest cost (tuition) — but you most likely will still need to plan for housing, food and visa proof unless you secure an additional stipend.

Other university / faculty grants & targeted scholarships

Leiden faculties and external partners occasionally offer smaller grants or targeted awards — for example:

Departmental grants to outstanding applicants (varies by faculty).
Country/region specific awards (sometimes universities in partner countries or alumni funds provide top-ups).
Small travel, book or conference grants.

However, these are usually smaller amounts and inconsistent in availability; they rarely function as a full monthly stipend.

External fellowships & national scholarships

A number of external funding sources can be applied to a Leiden place (examples):

Home-country government scholarships (e.g., ministries of education, national scholarship bodies) — commonly cover tuition and stipends for selected government-sponsored candidates.
International foundations and trusts — specific trusts sometimes fund students from particular regions; these can include living stipends but are competitive and limited.
Erasmus Mundus or EU-funded mobility schemes — applicable only to certain joint programmes and often for EU partners rather than direct Leiden master’s applicants.

In short: tuition coverage via LExS or an external tuition award is achievable for top applicants; monthly stipends that fully cover living costs usually require an additional, separate award or employment (e.g., teaching/research assistantship) and are not automatic.

Section 2 — English requirements and the question of “no IELTS required”

Many applicants ask: “Can I apply without IELTS if I have a university degree taught in English?” The short answer: sometimes, yes — but it depends on the programme and you must provide acceptable evidence. Leiden’s official language guidance sets out accepted tests, minimum scores and exemptions. Accepted test formats include IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT, but Leiden does not accept many versions of online/indicator tests — check the latest PDF guidance.

A few practical points:

IELTS Academic is commonly required (Leiden often lists IELTS 6.5 for many masters; some programmes require 7.0). For other programmes the TOEFL internet-based test is accepted at a defined score level — all programme pages list exact thresholds.
Exemptions: If your prior degree was taught entirely in English (and the awarding university is recognized by Leiden), you may be eligible for exemption. This is handled at the programme level — you must upload clear documentary evidence.
Indicator & online-only tests: Leiden explicitly states it does not accept certain online variants (e.g., IELTS Indicator) in many cases; review the programme language page carefully.

Practical advice: If you expect an IELTS exemption, prepare a formal letter from your previous university confirming the medium of instruction and provide course syllabi or an official transcript showing English as the language of instruction. Then contact the programme admissions office in advance to confirm the exemption is acceptable.

Section 3 — Why the myth “no IELTS + monthly stipend = guaranteed” persists (and how you should respond)

On social media and scholarship aggregator sites you’ll sometimes find claims that appear to promise “no IELTS required” and “full stipends.” Why does that happen?

Some scholarships are mis-summarized by third-party websites — they might list an “eligible programme” but omit exclusions, or confuse tuition waivers with living stipends.
A handful of special, targeted scholarships (home-country government scholarships or private trusts) may, in exceptional cases, cover both tuition and living costs and accept English-medium degrees as proof — but these are not the standard Leiden University offer.
Applicants and influencers sometimes extrapolate one-off cases and present them as universally available.

So, your approach should be pragmatic: treat LExS as a tuition-focused prize that you should chase aggressively, and treat a living stipend as a separate objective — secureable via additional fellowships, employer sponsorship, student jobs or departmental assistantships.

Section 4 — Realistic funding combinations (how to build a full package)

If your target is a fully funded stay in Leiden (tuition + living), you’ll typically combine sources. Here are realistic stacks:

LExS (tuition waiver) + home-government scholarship (stipend)
- Many ministries sponsor precisely to up-skill staff; they often include a monthly stipend. If you have employer support, this is an ideal combination.
LExS + departmental teaching/research assistant role
- Some departments pay hourly for TA or research assistance. Combined with LExS (tuition), this may approximate a living stipend — but assistant work hours are often limited and should not interfere with study.
External foundation fellowship + partial Leiden grant
- If you find a full-fellowship from a foundation for your field (rare but possible), LExS might be unnecessary and the fellowship can cover both tuition and living costs.
LExS + personal savings + part-time on-campus role
- This is the “bootstrap” option that many international students use; it requires careful budgeting.

Important: Dutch immigration rules require proof of sufficient funds to obtain a residence permit (the exact figure is public and changes yearly). Even if you have scholarship support, your scholarship award letter must explicitly state the amounts and terms, because immigration officers require official documentation.

Section 5 — Comparison table: funding features & expectations

Funding Element	What Leiden LExS typically offers	What an external full-fellowship offers	Practical reality (combined approach)
Tuition	Tuition waiver (full or partial) — LExS primary source.	Frequently covers full tuition	Use LExS to remove tuition risk if external fellowship not available
Living stipend	Rare — LExS usually does not guarantee monthly living stipends	External fellowships may include monthly stipends (if they exist)	Combine LExS + external stipend / TA role / govt sponsorship
English test / IELTS	Programme-level rules; exemptions possible for degree taught in English.	Fellowship may accept evidence of English instruction	Seek formal exemption letters in advance
Travel & relocation	Usually not part of LExS	Some external fellowships cover travel	Negotiate with sponsor or use travel grants if available
Competitive intensity	High (LExS limited awards across university)	Very high for limited external fellowships	Start early, pipeline multiple funding routes

Section 6 — Step-by-step action plan (9–12 months before intake)

Below is a concrete timeline you can follow, tuned for applicants from Africa & Asia who want to maximize chances for tuition + stipend coverage.

Month 12 — Decide program & eligibility

Shortlist 2–3 Leiden master’s programmes in Law, Public International Law, International Relations, Public Administration, Human Rights or Governance that match your profile.
Check LExS eligibility for those programmes and note any programme exclusions.

Month 11 — Build academic dossier

Obtain official transcripts, degree certificates and translations if necessary.
Request referee letters from academic supervisors and employers (2–3 referees). Give them your CV, SOP draft and project plan.

Month 10 — English test / exemption

If you do not have IELTS, either:
- Book and take an accepted English test (IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT) well before the deadline; OR
- Prepare a formal Medium-of-Instruction (MOI) letter from your previous university and supporting syllabi to request exemption. Confirm acceptance with the programme admissions office.

Month 9–7 — Contact faculty & research fit (for research-oriented programmes)

For thesis-based or research-intensive tracks, contact 1–2 relevant faculty members. Attach a 1-page research pitch.

Month 6–4 — Draft SOP and scholarship motivation

Draft a strong Statement of Purpose and a short motivation for LExS (usually requested separately). Keep the scholarship motivation succinct: academic merit + capacity to contribute to the Leiden community.

Month 4–2 — Apply to programme & LExS

Submit your master’s application through Leiden’s admissions portal and apply for LExS where prompted. Make sure you upload any documents requested for the scholarship.

Month 2–0 — Apply for extra funding

While waiting, apply to external fellowships, government ministries, foundations and departmental assistant positions. Negotiate any employer sponsorship.

Post-offer — Visa & budgeting

If you receive an offer + LExS, confirm the scholarship letter details (tuition amount, duration). Use that to plan for visa/residence permit proof and finalize living budget.

Section 7 — Budget guide: expected costs in Leiden & sample funding plan

Below is an example monthly budget (approximate) for a single student in Leiden (figures illustrative — local costs change; research specific housing and food prices when planning).

Rent (shared apartment / student housing): €450–€800
Utilities & internet: €40–€80
Food & groceries: €200–€300
Transport (bike + local): €15–€40
Insurance, phone, misc: €50–€100
Total monthly estimate: €755–€1,320

Visa proof requirement: Immigration often asks for proof of a certain amount (a yearly figure), so convert monthly figure to year to show ability to fund stay unless fully financed.

Funding example (realistic stack):

LExS: Tuition waiver (value: €8,000–€18,000 depending on programme) — reduces major cost.
Home-government scholarship: €700/month stipend (if available) — covers rent/food.
Departmental assistantship: €200–€400/month (part-time) — supplements income.
Personal savings / part-time funds: €200/month until assistantship starts.

Section 8 — Statement of Purpose — simple, strong structure (tailored to Leiden & LExS)

Aim: 700–900 words; clear, focused and tied to impact. Use the structure below and adapt to your background.

Opening hook (1 paragraph)
- Start with a concise anecdote or problem observation linking you to law/politics (example: “Working as a paralegal in Lagos exposed me to systemic gaps in child protection law that inspired my research interest…”).
Academic & professional background (1 paragraph)
- Key degrees, relevant modules, GPA or rank, any publications or policy briefs. Quantify (e.g., “coordinated 3 legal clinics”).
What you want to study & why Leiden (1 paragraph)
- Name the Leiden programme explicitly and link to a faculty member or lab. Explain what Leiden uniquely offers for your aims.
Research / study plan (1–2 paragraphs)
- State your research question, methods and expected outputs. For non-research masters explain the coursework and professional routes you’ll take.
Impact plan (1 paragraph)
- Explain concretely how you will use the degree to improve a system, policy or legal practice in your country/region (train X officials per year, introduce model policy, run pilot clinics).
Why you’re a good candidate & scholarship justification (1 paragraph)
- Leadership examples, awards, evidence of commitment to public good. Add a line why a tuition award + stipend will directly enable your impact.
Closing (1 short paragraph)
- Reaffirm commitment and readiness to contribute to Leiden’s academic community.

Section 9 — Three real-world applicant profiles (composite, Africa & Asia focus)

These are composite illustrations that reflect realistic strategies for Leiden funding.

Profile A — International Student (Nigeria) — LLM Candidate

Background: 2:1 law degree, NGO paralegal experience on human rights litigation.
Strategy: Applied for an advanced LLM (eligible under LExS), won partial tuition LExS award, secured an NGO travel grant to cover relocation and a small monthly stipend. Provided MOI letter for IELTS exemption. Outcome: tuition covered + modest living allowance via external grant.

Profile B — Educator (India) — MSc in Public Policy

Background: Senior lecturer in public administration; wants to update curriculum with comparative governance tools.
Strategy: Employer-sponsored application: ministry agreed to fund living stipend conditional on return service; LExS covered tuition. Outcome: full package via combined employer + LExS support.

Profile C — Parent of Applicant (Bangladesh) — Student on tight budget

Background: Daughter with top marks in political science; family cannot fully fund European study.
Strategy: Daughter won partial LExS tuition waiver and received a small alumni trust award for living costs. Continued to seek departmental TA role upon arrival. Outcome: tuition largely covered; living cost gap filled by trust + TA earnings.

These profiles underline the reality: successful funding is normally a patchwork of awards rather than a single universal “full stipend” given by Leiden itself.

Section 10 — Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Believing LExS covers living costs automatically
Fix: Plan for visa proof and budget for living expenses unless you secure an extra stipend.
Mistake 2: Assuming IELTS will be waived automatically
Fix: Document the medium of instruction and confirm with the admissions office prior to application.
Mistake 3: Late referee letters or incomplete docs
Fix: Ask referees early and provide a one-page summary and CV for their letter.
Mistake 4: Ignoring programme exclusions
Fix: Read the LExS eligibility list and programme pages; some LLMs / humanities are excluded.
Mistake 5: Not pursuing home-country or employer sponsorship
Fix: Early approach to employer/ministry for sponsored leave or scholarship can eliminate living cost risk.

Section 11 — FAQs (concise but useful)

Q1 — Does LExS cover living allowances?
A: No — LExS primarily offers tuition waivers. You should not assume a monthly stipend unless an additional award or fund provides it.

Q2 —Can I get an IELTS waiver?
A: Possibly. Leiden accepts exemptions for degrees taught in English; provide an MOI letter and confirm with the programme. Check the official English language guidance for accepted tests and exemption conditions.

Q3 —Which programmes are eligible under LExS?
A: Many master’s programmes are eligible but some LLMs and humanities tracks are excluded — check the LExS information page and the programme entry pages.

Q4 —Can I work part-time to cover living costs?
A: As an international student you may have limited working hours allowed under your residence permit; check Dutch immigration rules and ensure any role does not breach scholarship rules.

Q5 —What is the typical LExS application deadline?
A: Deadlines correlate with the programme application cycle (e.g., 1 Feb for many September intakes). Confirm the relevant date on the LExS page for your year.

Section 12 — Pre-departure & early-arrival checklist

Confirm scholarship letter details (tuition amount & conditions).
Obtain visa/residence permit documents using official scholarship letter.
Secure housing early (Leiden has limited student housing).
Buy health insurance and ensure any scholarship insurance obligations are clear.
Bring original transcripts, MOI letters and referee contact details for any post-arrival verification.

Section 13 — Final checklist & action items (top 10)

Choose programme and confirm LExS eligibility.
Arrange official transcripts and MOI letter (if seeking IELTS exemption).
Ask referees early and share SOP draft.
Draft a concise research or study plan aligned with Leiden faculty.
Submit Leiden application by the programme deadline.
Opt in to LExS during the application and upload the scholarship motivation.
Apply for external fellowships and home-government sponsorship concurrently.
Prepare a realistic budget and visa proof plan.
Prepare for possible interviews or clarifications from admissions.
Secure housing and arrival logistics early.

Conclusion — realistic optimism: plan, stack, and secure

Leiden University is a world-class destination for legal and political studies. But the common wish “No IELTS + monthly stipend guaranteed” is not the standard path. The best strategy is pragmatic:

Aim for tuition support first (LExS or equivalent) — that removes the biggest barrier.
Simultaneously pursue stipends via home-government sponsorships, external fellowships, or departmental roles.
Document English proficiency carefully and seek formal exemptions if eligible.

If you work the plan above — early faculty contact, polished SOP, referee letters, LExS application, and a parallel stipend search — your chances of stitching together a full funding package rise dramatically. Take action early and keep several funding avenues open: that is the realistic route to studying law or political science at Leiden in 2025.

“Ambition needs structure. Build the scholarship you want by stacking careful steps — tuition first, stipend next, impact always.”