Leiden Law School has opened the Children’s Rights Scholarship 1 for the 2027-28 Advanced LL.M. in International Children’s Rights. Two scholarships of EUR 17,900 each are on offer, and the deadline to apply is 1 February 2027.
This is one of the few Leiden awards aimed specifically at students from medium and low human development countries, which is why Indian law graduates are a natural fit. It is a large contribution towards the tuition fee, but it is not a full ride, so read the numbers before you plan your budget.
Leiden Children’s Rights Scholarship 2027 at a glance
Quick facts2026-27
| Scholarship from | Leiden University, Leiden Law School (Faculty of Law), Netherlands |
| Last date to apply | 1 February 2027 (scholarship application inside the uSis admission application); programme admission closes 1 April 2027 for visa students |
| Official website | universiteitleiden.nl – Children’s Rights Scholarship 1 |
What the Children’s Rights Scholarship covers
- There are two scholarships, each worth EUR 17,900, for the 2027-28 academic year.
- The award is a contribution towards the tuition fee. The full-time tuition fee for this Advanced LL.M. in 2027-28 is EUR 22,900, so the scholarship covers most of it but not all of it.
- The scholarship runs for one year, which is the full length of the programme.
- Leiden states plainly that this is not a full scholarship. Non-EEA students must still show ‘proof of sufficient funds’ for the student visa or residence permit application, which means you need the remaining fee plus living costs in an account you can document.
- The Advanced LL.M. is an institutional-fee programme that is not subsidised by the Dutch government, so Dutch student finance (DUO) is not available to anyone on this programme, whatever their nationality.
The part-time version of the programme costs EUR 12,500 for 2027-28, but the scholarship route is built around the full-time, one-year programme that starts in September.
Who is eligible for the scholarship
Leiden uses the UNDP Human Development Index to decide who may apply, plus a financial-need test. To be eligible you must:
- Be a national of a country ranked 113 to 151 (medium human development) or 152 to 189 (low human development) on the HDI list that the scholarship page links. India sits in the medium band of that list, so Indian nationals can apply. Check your country’s current rank on the UNDP page before you spend time on the application.
- Demonstrate that you do not have enough money to follow the programme without scholarship support. The scholarship motivation letter has to set out your finances.
- Be strongly motivated to follow this specific programme, the Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights.
- Intend to return to your home country after graduating and put the degree to work there. Leiden writes this into the obligations section, not just the FAQ.
Applicants from single-parent families, and from families that depend on social assistance schemes, are given priority. The award is tied to this one programme: you cannot use it for any other Leiden master’s degree.
Admission requirements for the Advanced LL.M. in International Children’s Rights
- A full degree in law that gives access to legal practice in the country where it was obtained, or an equivalent degree from a recognised university or law school. The Admission Board can also admit a degree in a related discipline with a sufficient background in law.
- Evidence of excellent academic performance across your studies, judged from your grades.
- IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall, with at least 6.0 in listening and reading and at least 6.5 in speaking and writing.
- TOEFL iBT: 100 overall, with at least 20 in listening and reading and at least 22 in speaking and writing.
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced with an overall score of 185, at least 169 in listening and reading and at least 176 in speaking and writing.
- A valid English test result must be uploaded with the application, and the fee is an EUR 100 application fee paid when you submit.
IELTS Online, IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted for this programme, so book the paper or computer Academic test.
How to apply for the Children’s Rights Scholarship
- Register in Studielink, the Dutch national application system, and pick the MA Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights (CROHO code 75121). Leiden sends uSis login details about a day later.
- Complete the admission application in uSis and pay the EUR 100 application fee. You cannot apply for the scholarship before you have an admission application.
- Write the programme motivation letter explaining your academic background, why you want this LL.M. and your future goals.
- Open the scholarship tab in uSis, tick the Children’s Rights Scholarship 1 option and upload a second, separate scholarship motivation letter. Leiden asks for two letters and will not accept one document that does both jobs.
- In the scholarship letter, state your uSis student number, name the scholarship, describe your financial situation, explain why you cannot fund the programme yourself, and give a clear plan for the rest of the tuition fee, travel, housing and living costs.
- Apply well before 1 February 2027. The admission deadline for visa students is 1 April 2027, but the scholarship deadline is far earlier and a late admission file will not save the scholarship application.
The full legal terms sit in the scholarship terms and conditions PDF that the scholarship page links.
Important dates for the 2027-28 cycle
- Scholarship application deadline: 1 February 2027.
- Admission deadline for applicants who need a visa or residence permit: 1 April 2027.
- Admission deadline for applicants who do not need a visa or residence permit: 15 May 2027.
- All deadlines expire at 23:59 Central European Time on the date shown.
- Programme start: September 2027. This Advanced LL.M. has no February intake.
Frequently asked questions
1 February 2027. The scholarship application sits inside the uSis admission application, so you must also have registered in Studielink and started the admission file before that date.
EUR 17,900 per scholar, for two scholars, against a full-time tuition fee of EUR 22,900 for 2027-28. It is a contribution towards the fee and runs for one year.
Yes. Eligibility is by HDI band, and the scheme is open to nationals of countries ranked 113 to 151 (medium) or 152 to 189 (low) on the UNDP list. India falls in the medium band, so Indian law graduates can apply, subject to the financial-need test.
Yes in the normal case: you need a full law degree that gives access to legal practice in your country, or an equivalent degree from a recognised law school. The Admission Board may admit a related degree with enough law content, but that is a discretionary call.
No. It only reduces the tuition fee. Living costs, travel, insurance and the remaining fee are yours, and non-EEA students must still prove sufficient funds for the visa or residence permit.
Two. Leiden awards two scholarships of EUR 17,900 for this programme, so the award is competitive and the two motivation letters carry a lot of weight.
Official links
Related reading: Children’s Rights Scholarship 1 – Leiden University
Advanced LL.M. in International Children’s Rights
Admission requirements
Tuition fees 2027-28
Application deadlines
Scholarship terms and conditions (PDF)
If you are comparing Dutch options, the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is the general non-EU award at the same university, while the NL Scholarship is the EUR 5,000 first-year award that many Dutch universities add on top. More options sit in our study abroad scholarships, international scholarships and post graduation scholarships hubs.
Related scholarship posts: Leiden University Excellence Scholarship 2027, Padua International Excellence Scholarship 2027, UCD Global Excellence Scholarship 2027-28.