Fully funded scholarships in the Netherlands provide full financial support, allowing students from around the world to pursue their academic goals without the burden of financial limitations.
These scholarships also provide scholarships for living expenses, travel and other study costs. Since the competition for these scholarships can be intense, prospective students must ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria, prepare the applications and respect the application deadlines.
There are several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses and other costs associated with studying abroad.
Why study in the Netherlands?
Before talking about scholarships, it is also important to understand why the Netherlands is an attractive destination for international students:
- Netherlands universities are consistently ranked among the best in the world. They offer a wide range of programs taught in English, providing many opportunities for international students.
- Innovative teaching methods: The Netherlands is known for its innovative student-centered teaching methods that encourage critical thinking and collaboration.
- With students from all over the world, Dutch universities offer a multicultural environment, enhancing the learning experience and preparing students for global careers. Strong economy and job opportunities: The Netherlands has a strong economy and is home to many multinational companies, offering students excellent internship and job opportunities.
- Safe and high quality life: The country is known for its high quality of life, safety and excellent healthcare and transport systems.
By taking advantage of these scholarships as an international student, you can access leading educational and research opportunities in the Netherlands.
Fully Funded Scholarships in Netherlands:
Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS)
The Orange Tulip Scholarship Program (OTS) is a group of scholarships offered by Dutch higher education institutions, multinationals and government institutes. The scholarships are administered by Nuffic and are offered to students from selected countries, including Brazil, China, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico and others, can apply. Applicants must be admitted into a participating university in the OTS program.
NL Scholarship
The Dutch government (Holland Government) is offering Dutch scholarships for international students. This scholarship is available for undergraduate and masters studies and provides the recipient with €5,000 that can be used to cover tuition fees.
The NL Scholarship accepts applications from non-EEA international students to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. The Dutch Scholarship is offered by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and is awarded to bright students.
The NL Scholarship offers the recipient a scholarship amount of €5,000.
Participating research universities:
- Leiden University
- Utrecht University
- University of Groningen
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Maastricht University
- VU Amsterdam
- Radboud University
- Tilburg University
- Delft University of Technology
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- University of Twente
- Wageningen University
- Theological University Apeldoorn
- Theological University Kampen
Participating universities of applied sciences:
- Aeres University of Applied Sciences
- Amsterdam University of the Arts
- ArtEZ Institute of the Arts
- Breda University of Applied Sciences
- Codarts Rotterdam
- Design Academy Eindhoven
- Driestar educatief
- Fontys University of Applied Sciences
- Gerrit Rietveld Academie
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences
- Hanze University of Applied Sciences
- Hotelschool The Hague
- Royal Academy of Art, The Hague
- Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
- HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
- HAN University of Applied Sciences
- HKU University of Applied Sciences
- HZ University of Applied Sciences
- NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
- Saxion University of Applied Sciences
- Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
- Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) Scholarship
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are prestigious international masters, designed and offered by a group of higher education institutions.
They include at least 3 institutions from at least 3 different countries and several connected partners from the academic and non-academic world.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree is a program funded by the European Commission and offered by universities from different countries, including those in the Netherlands.
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Scholarships
Erasmus University Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) offers various scholarships for international students. These scholarships are available for bachelor’s and master’s programs and are awarded based on merit and financial need.
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Leiden University offers the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) to international students enrolling in a program at Leiden University, It is highly competitive scholarship and is awarded to students with an impressive academic record.
The LExS scholarship is awarded for the duration of the study program. Here there are three levels of scholarships available:
€10,000 tuition
€15,000 tuition fee
Total tuition fees minus statutory tuition fees
The LExS scholarship is not a full scholarship. Non-EEA LExS beneficiaries must still provide ‘proof of sufficient funds’ for their student visa/residence permit application.
University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) offers the Amsterdam Merit Scholarships to students from countries outside the EU/EEA, there are scholarships available for various undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Students who hold a non-EU/EEA passport and have applied for a degree program at the University of Amsterdam are eligible to submit an application for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.
TU Delft Excellence Scholarships
The Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) offers Delft Excellence Scholarships for international students who wish to pursue a master’s degree at the university. These scholarships are awarded based on the applicant’s academic excellence and prospects in the chosen field.
VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)
The VU Scholarship Program (VUFP) is a scholarship with a tuition waiver. It can be combined with the NL scholarship, which aims to contribute to living expenses. Both are is for students from non-EU/non-EEA countries who pay higher tuition fees.
Utrecht Excellence Scholarships
Utrecht University offers the Utrecht Excellence Scholarships to students who wish to pursue a master’s degree at Utrecht University.
To qualify for Utrecht Excellence Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be in the top 10% of graduates in your class.
- Must not hold an EU/EEA passport and be eligible for support under the Dutch scholarship and student loan system.
- You must have completed your high school education and/or license
outside the Netherlands. - You must have applied for an international master’s program at the Utrecht institute
The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship can be awarded in the form of tuition fees, or tuition fees plus the required income for a period of one year in association with a study permit determined by the IND (Immigration and Naturalization Service).
The scholarship is renewable for the second year of a two-year master’s program.
Maastricht University Holland-High Potential Scholarship
Maastricht University offers the Dutch High Potential Scholarship to international students from outside the EU/EEA who have been accepted into a master’s program at Maastricht University.
The Maastricht University (UM) High Potential Scholarship Program offers 24 full scholarships of €30,000 (including tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend) each academic year to highly talented students from abroad of the European Union (EU) who have been accepted to a master’s degree. program at UM.
The scholarship program includes both the High Potential Scholarship (funded by the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund) and the NL Scholarship, which is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in cooperation with Dutch institutions and universities of applied sciences. It is intended for international students from outside the EU/EEA who want to follow a full study program in the Netherlands.
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