2026 Leiden University Mandela Scholarship in Netherlands (Fully Funded) Deadline: 15 October, 2025

Leiden University Mandela Scholarship 2026 for International Students:

Applications are invited to apply for the Leiden University Mandela Scholarship 2026 in Netherlands. All International students can apply for the Scholarship. Students from four South African partner universities who wish to participate in an exchange program and spend one or two semesters at Leiden University are eligible to apply for this scholarship. It’s about following in Nelson Mandela’s footsteps, making a positive impact on South Africa’s future, and experiencing a worldwide academic environment in the Netherlands.

If you have ever envisioned yourself studying in the Netherlands, taking in the world-class research and thriving international networks while strolling down alleys that date back centuries, Applications for the February intake of Leiden University’s Mandela Scholarship Fund 2026 are now being accepted, giving South African students the opportunity to make that ambition a reality. This scholarship is an investment in leadership, international collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding rather than solely for financial gain.

Leiden University (LEI) is a public research university in Leiden, the Netherlands. Leiden University is one of the world’s top institutions, often ranking in the top 100 according to major rating systems such as the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. President Nelson Mandela, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Leiden University in 1999, is the recipient of this fund. He had a clear vision: more student exchange would benefit the Netherlands and South Africa. The Mandela Scholarship Fund continues that tradition today by enabling upcoming leaders to study overseas and fortify international relations.

Leiden University Mandela Scholarship 2026 Details:

Financial Benefits:

The scholarship may cover the following, depending on your home university:

• Monthly living allowance: up to €1,250
• For the term of the exchange (5 or 10 months), Aon Student Insurance
• One or two semester study opportunities at Leiden University

Available Fields/Programs:

Leiden University offers study options for one or two semesters in a variety of faculties, such as the

• • African Studies Center,
  • Archaeology,
  • Humanities,
  • Medicine/LUMC,
  • Governance and Global Affairs,
  • Law,
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences,
  • International Institute for Asian Studies.

Eligible Universities:

This opportunity is exclusively intended for students from the four partner universities in South Africa:

• Stellenbosch University
• University of Cape Town
• University of Pretoria
• University of the Western Cape

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for the Leiden University Mandela Scholarship 2026 in the Netherlands, applicants must be:

• Applicants from any country must be enrolled at one of the above universities.
• Applicants must be preselected by their home university for the scholarship.
• A strong command of the English language
• Applicants must be able to meet Leiden University’s exchange/student abroad entrance standards.

Application Deadline:

The last date to apply for the Leiden University Mandela Scholarship 2026 in the Netherlands for international students is 15th October 2025. If you are applying for the September 2026 intake, the deadline is 1st April 2026.

How to Apply for the Leiden University Mandela Scholarship?

1. The application date for Leiden University’s February 2026 intake is October 15, 2025.
2. If you want to apply for the September 2026 intake, the deadline is April 1, 2026.
3. Students should additionally check with their respective South African universities for their internal nomination deadlines, which may differ.