With a strong economy and multicultural population, the Netherlands is an excellent option for studying undergraduate programs, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The Netherlands is located in Western Europe, and it’s bordered by Germany and Belgium. For years, this country has significantly contributed to different fields such as the economy, science, and other industries.
As of today, the Netherlands has colleges and universities with excellent reputations globally. They offer different programs to cater to the educational needs of every learner. If you’re an aspiring international student in the Netherlands, this country provides numerous resources to support your studies. In this article, we will be looking at the best scholarships in the Netherlands for international students.
We have also included stories of scholarship recipients for whom we have stories! I believe that this will be helpful for those who are seeking those scholarships, so make sure to check them out!
Top Scholarships in the Netherlands
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| NL Scholarship | Government Scholarship | Bachelor’s
Master’s | one-time financial contribution of €5,000 |
| University of Twente Scholarship | University of Twente | Master’s | €3,000 to €22,000 / whole academic year |
| PhD Funding (Employee Contracts) | Research Universities | PhD | Full Funding |
| Amsterdam Merit Scholarship | University of Amsterdam | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Up to full tuition |
| NL High Potential Scholarship | Maastricht University | Master’s | €30,000 (tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend) |
| Africa Scholarship Programme | Wageningen University & Research | Master’s | full tuition waiver and living allowance (24 months)
visa costs + travel
other academic costs |
| Radboud Scholarship | Radboud University | Master’s | Partial Tuition |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships | Government | Master’s | Full Tuition, Living Stipend |
| VU Fellowship Programme | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Master’s | full tuition |
| Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships | Delft University of Technology | Master’s | full tuition waiver and living stipend |
| Eric Bleumink Fund Scholarship | University of Groningen | Master’s | Tuition fee
costs of international travel
health insurance |
| Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Fellowship | External Scholarship | Doctoral | Full tuition, monthly living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowance |
| Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (Netherlands) | Japan/World Bank | Master’s | Full tuition, monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, basic health insurance, and a travel allowance |
1. NL Scholarship (NL Government Scholarship)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: €5,000
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
The NL Scholarship (formerly known as the Holland Government Scholarship) is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, and awarded to students from non-European countries. This scholarship is given to incoming international students as it encourages them to study in the Netherlands and is a one-time scholarship.
To start your scholarship application, check if your chosen Dutch university is on the list of participating universities. Then obtain the admission requirements of your university and program. Usually, these include your previous educational attainments, language requirements, and many more.
A recipient’s path: Brazilian lawyer João Pedro Rocha Oliveira secured the NL Scholarship for his LL.M. in International Business Taxation at Tilburg University, where he reported that only one award was available per school. He emphasized academic merit, professional tax-law experience, and the distinct perspective he could bring as a Brazilian applicant, building a coherent case around the scholarship’s selection criteria. After graduating in 2024, he stayed in the Netherlands and became an indirect tax specialist at Stripe in Amsterdam. View More NL Scholarship recipients →
Here is what the NL Scholarship Scholars Say:
“As part of the aforementioned LL.M., I was proud to be awarded the merit-based NL Scholarship (formerly the ‘Holland Scholarship’) in the amount of €10,000 to support this chapter of my academic and professional journey.”
João Pedro Rocha Oliveira
“The application process was fairly straightforward, as both were integrated into my application for admission—no separate forms, just an earlier deadline (end of January).”
Kathryn
“Receiving both the ALSP and the Holland Scholarship significantly reduced my financial burden and allowed me to fully focus on my academic and professional development during my time at TU/e.”
Aaradhya
2. University of Twente Scholarship (University of Twente)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: €3,000 to €22,000 for a whole academic year
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The University of Twente Scholarship is given to approximately 50 students (European and non-European students) who have an outstanding academic reputation. This scholarship aims to acknowledge and provide financial assistance to graduate students who excel in their respective programs.
There is a separate application procedure for this scholarship program. To be eligible, you must meet all requirements and should be admitted to a graduate program in the university.
All applications are done online, you’ll receive a confirmation once you submit the requirements and complete the application form. Then, the committee will assess your application, and you’ll be notified when the results are out.
One scholar’s journey: Mexican biomedical engineering graduate Lizeth Chávez secured the University of Twente Scholarship to pursue a master’s in Bioengineering Technologies in the Netherlands. She considered her cover letter the most important part of her application, tailoring it to explain how her academic achievements, previous experience, and long-term healthcare research goals aligned with the program. Alongside the university scholarship, she received the NL Scholarship and a tuition fee waiver, allowing her to pursue specialized training in biomedical engineering. View More University of Twente Scholarship recipients →
3. PhD Funding (Employment Contracts)
- Scholarship Value: Full Funding – Full Tuition and Living Stipend
- Eligible Degree/s: PhD
Ph.D. students in the Netherlands, and in Europe in general, are considered as an employee, working on projects. You can see this from Moses Ebere, a Ph.D. student in Cognitive Robotics at TU Delft, who states, “My Ph.D. is fully funded (this is common in the Netherlands as PhD are seen as employees on project contracts).”
How it works is that professors get a variety of projects, and after they successfully get the projects, they find Ph.D. students to work on those projects. So, if you apply for Ph.D. in the Netherlands, you will be applying to different projects. It’s quite different from the US and Canada Ph.D. admissions process.
4. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (University of Amsterdam)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Up to Full Tuition
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The University of Amsterdam is a public university in Amsterdam, and it has an outstanding reputation in the country and Europe. This public university offers a merit scholarship for excellent undergraduate international students. These are offered to students taking economics, business, and communication science programs.
Every department has different requirements, selection, and application processes. But usually, they will require you to have excellent academic scores in your chosen program. You can submit your application through the admission portal. Alongside your application, you will also be required to submit documents like GPA, results of the English proficiency test, motivation, and recommendation letters.
Melina Coelho Garcia’s path to the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship: Brazilian law graduate Melina Coelho Garcia secured the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship to study International Trade and Investment Law at the University of Amsterdam. She drafted multiple versions of her motivation letter and sought feedback from professors, friends, and previous scholarship winners, using her research experience and NGO work to demonstrate that her ambitions were backed by action. She also received a UvA Law School Scholarship and credited the authenticity of her application with helping her stand out. View More Amsterdam Merit Scholarship recipients →
Here is what Amsterdam Merit Scholarship Scholars Say:
“Master’s degree: I won the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) offered by UvA to non-EU/EEA students, which covered the tuition fee of €8k for the year I studied in Amsterdam.”
Belén Estrella Fiallo
“As an international student from outside the European Union, the international student fee would apply to me. However, I was granted the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship by the University of Amsterdam, representing an amount of EUR 14.500”
Melina Coelho Garcia
5. NL High Potential Scholarship (Maastricht University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: €30,000 (tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend each academic year)
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The Maastricht University‘s NL High Potential Scholarship, one of the best scholarships in the Netherlands for international students, is a combination of the university’s high potential scholarship funded by the Maastricht University and the NL scholarship financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science.
This scholarship program offers 24 full scholarships of €30,000 covering tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend each academic year to non-EU students admitted to the master’s program at the university.
To qualify for this scholarship, you should meet the specific admission requirements of your chosen program and have excellent academic grades. Start your application by registering in one of the university’s master’s programs online. You’ll be asked to fill out an application form and submit the required documents.
The International Services Desk will decide the selection of the recipients, and you’ll be notified whether your application is accepted, denied, or shortlisted. If accepted, you’ll be required to attend the university’s three-week Pre-Academic Training.
6. Africa Scholarship Programme (Wageningen University & Research)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: full tuition waiver and living allowance (24 months), visa costs, travel, and other academic costs
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
Africa Scholarship Programme at Wageningen University & Research is a financial assistance for excellent students from Sub-Saharan Africa who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree at the university.
The program aims to contribute to the long-term development of Sub-Saharan Africa by supporting its most talented students, who will return home after graduation and help strengthen their home countries’ economies and societies.
It offers full tuition fees and living expenses for 24 months, visa costs, travel costs, and other academic expenses. The scholarship is sponsored by the Ministry of Education Culture and Science (OCW) and Wageningen University & Research.
7. Radboud Scholarship (Radboud University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Partial tuition fee
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The Radboud Scholarship Programme is a selective award for outstanding non-EEA students admitted to English-taught Master’s programs at Radboud University. It primarily offers a partial tuition reduction to the EU rate and helps with essential costs such as visa, residence permit, and insurance. Selection emphasizes academic excellence, motivation, and fit with the chosen program.
A recipient’s path: Bangladeshi sociology graduate Afsana Mimi received an offer from the Radboud Scholarship Programme for a Research Master’s in Social & Cultural Science at Radboud University. She spent two years preparing, strengthened her research experience, wrote a personal statement connecting her academic goals to community impact, and completed an interview with the university before selection. She subsequently completed her research master’s degree, highlighting the program’s small classes and intensive research training. View More Radboud University recipients →
Here is what Radboud Scholars Say:
“The Radboud Scholarship, which allowed me to pay the same tuition rate as EU residents (about €2,500/year); The NL Scholarship, a one-time award of €5,000.”
Kathryn
“My master’s studies at Radboud University … I received both the Radboud Scholarship and the RadboudUMC Study Fund, which supported two years of study (2015–2017) by covering my tuition fees and living expenses.”
Hilal
“The scholarships I received were the – Radboud Scholarship Programme (~€11,000 per year);
Alisha
8. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Full Tuition, Living Expenses
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Program is a prestigious European Union-funded scholarship initiative that supports exceptional international students to pursue integrated Master’s degrees across multiple countries, including the Netherlands. Dutch universities such as the University of Groningen, TU Delft, and the University of Twente participate in various Erasmus Mundus consortia, offering specialized programs in engineering, sustainability, social sciences, and more.
The scholarship covers full tuition, travel expenses, installation costs, and a generous monthly stipend for the duration of the two-year program. Students benefit from the opportunity to study in at least two different countries, often beginning or concluding their studies in the Netherlands, gaining not only academic excellence but also cultural and professional exposure across Europe.
A recipient’s path: Uzbek scholar Mukhlisa earned an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarship to study Law and Economics across Pompeu Fabra University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and the University of Arizona. After missing an earlier scholarship deadline, she spent about a month refining her motivation letter to connect her public law background, international exchanges, and career goals; she ultimately ranked among the top 10 selected from more than 770 applicants. Her experience shows how a focused application and previous international study can support a competitive Erasmus Mundus scholarship application involving the Netherlands. View More Erasmus Mundus Scholarship recipients in the Netherlands →
Here is what Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship Scholars Say:
“My advice is to focus on the quality of your application rather than quantity.”
Prajna Sinha
“I found the application process to be highly competitive, with applicants from all over the world competing for merely 15 scholarships per program.”
Iqra Ali Mirza
“The scholarship is generous enough to cover most living expenses, so there is no pressure to seek additional funding through part-time work.”
Shihabur
9. VU Fellowship Programme (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
The VU Fellowship Programme is one of the best scholarships in the Netherlands. It is open to international students studying for a master’s degree at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
This partial funding fellowship will cover full tuition. For those interested, one must be admitted to a master’s program that would be starting in September and must have a GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8 to be eligible.
Syed Shaharyar Ahmed’s path to the VU Fellowship Programme: Pakistani law graduate Syed Shaharyar Ahmed secured the VU Fellowship Programme to pursue a master’s in International Technology Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, reporting that only one or two awards were available per department. With a 3.97/4.00 undergraduate GPA, he built his application around legal research, international law firm internships, and a motivation letter connecting his professional experience to the programme’s objectives. He also received the NL Scholarship to help with relocation expenses, demonstrating how his focused application secured complementary funding. View More VU Fellowship Programme recipients →
Here is what VU Fellowship Programme Scholars Say:
“For my program, the annual tuition fee for international students was €12,130, which was entirely covered by this scholarship.”
Marina Mendes
“The VUFP is a highly competitive tuition fee waiver awarded to academically excellent non-EU/EEA students.”
Marina Mendes
“When applying for the VUFP, you are automatically considered for the NL Scholarship, although only a limited number of VUFP recipients are selected to receive both.”
Marina Mendes
10. Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships (Delft University of Technology)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: full tuition waiver and living stipend
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships at the Delft University of Technology are awarded to Dutch and international students with excellent academic backgrounds.
The scholarships are awarded to university students who have been accepted for a full-time or part-time master’s degree course. The scholarships cover tuition fees and a living stipend.
11. Eric Bleumink Fund Scholarship (University of Groningen)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Tuition fee, costs of international travel, and health insurance
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The Eric Bleumink Scholarship at the University of Groningen is an excellent option for international students who are in their graduate studies and are in need of financial assistance. This fund will cover tuition costs, air travel, books, allowance, and health insurance.
However, there is no separate application process for this type of fund, rather, this scholarship is done through a nomination process. Applicants who have received an unconditional offer will have a high chance of being nominated.
12. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Fellowship (Netherlands)
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount for Doctoral Studies: Full tuition, monthly living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowance
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Fellowship supports outstanding researchers pursuing doctoral degrees in the Netherlands and across Europe. Funded by the European Commission, this prestigious program offers generous financial support covering tuition, living, and mobility expenses. Fellows gain international research experience, interdisciplinary training, and professional development opportunities. The fellowship encourages mobility between countries and sectors, fostering collaboration and innovation in diverse scientific fields.
One scholar’s journey: Chilean biotechnology researcher Lucas Argandoña secured a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network fellowship for a PhD in Engineering Technology through KU Leuven, with his research hosted by PureBlue Water in the Netherlands. After numerous unsuccessful applications, including final-round interviews against fewer than five candidates, he strengthened his CV, motivation letter, and interview preparation to demonstrate how his previous research matched the NANAQUA project’s goals. His doctoral work now focuses on nanotechnology-based water treatment and micropollutant biodegradation, combining university supervision with industrial research. View More Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Fellowship recipients in the Netherlands →
Here is what Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Fellowship Scholars Say:
“This fellowship provided a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and funding to support research, training, and networking activities.”
Hilal
“Rather than sending a generic CV, I tailored both my CV and cover letter to each program I applied for.”
Hilal
13. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (Netherlands)
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount for Master’s: full tuition, monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, basic health insurance, and a travel allowance
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a fully funded master’s scholarship for professionals from developing countries pursuing development-related degrees. For study in the Netherlands, participating programs include options at institutions such as Erasmus University Rotterdam and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. Awards typically cover tuition, monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance. Applicants are assessed on academic excellence, professional experience in development, and their commitment to return home and contribute to their country’s development.
A recipient’s path: Indian public health professional Dr. Shailey Gokhale secured the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program to pursue an MSc in Global Health Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science. After receiving an unconditional admission offer, she was nominated by LSE and built her scholarship application around demonstrable development impact, including her role in mobilizing more than 3,000 teachers for public-health outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on her public-health experience in India, she connected her previous work to her goal of strengthening healthcare systems in underserved communities. View More Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program recipients →
Here is what Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (Netherlands) Scholars Say:
“The JJ/WBGSP scholarship covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance.”
Abhijith Njarattil Parameswaran
“Another helpful preparation step was reaching out to people who had received the same scholarship I was applying for, using LinkedIn.”
Abhijith Njarattil Parameswaran
“Specific to World Bank scholarship, the mandatory ideal requirement is to have an admission letter in hand, so ensure to apply as early as possible for the course you intend to apply depending on the cycle of application.”
Abhijith Njarattil Parameswaran
The Netherlands promotes a world-class higher education as it is home to renowned scientists, inventors, and other professionals who created a massive impact on the world’s advancement. This country has produced outstanding results and continues to deliver by producing graduates in various educational and research fields.
We hope this article on the Netherlands’ best scholarships was helpful in your future educational journey! If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
