How a Brazilian Lawyer Secured the Merit-Based NL Scholarship to Pursue an LL.M. in International Business Taxation at Tilburg University

Olá! My name is João Pedro Rocha Oliveira, from São Paulo, Brazil. I graduated with an LL.M. in International Business Taxation from Tilburg University in 2024 and currently reside in Amsterdam, where I work as an indirect tax specialist at Stripe.

NL Scholarship Details

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. This prestigious scholarship is granted to a select number of high-performing non-EEA students pursuing full-time studies in the Netherlands. It is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in collaboration with the university.

Educational Background

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Law in 2023 at FGV São Paulo Law School (FGV DIREITO SP), with a GPA of 8.5/10, the same year I was admitted to the Brazilian Bar. During my studies, I was part of the university's tax law study group and was awarded a Scientific Initiation scholarship from the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for my first research project, also (and unsurprisingly) focused on taxation. Perhaps even more importantly, I did an exchange semester at Tilburg University, where I would choose to return in the future.

Alongside my studies, I interned at a law firm specialising in tax litigation and was later promoted to tax lawyer after graduation, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the field. Eager to deepen my knowledge of international tax systems and immerse myself in a truly global academic environment, I returned to the Netherlands to pursue the Master's in International Business Taxation at Tilburg University.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Tilburg University?

Returning to Tilburg University was not a difficult choice. My experience there as an exchange student was overwhelmingly positive, and I was already familiar with the university’s academic environment. On top of that, the Master's in International Business Taxation stood out as one of the best programs available in its field, backed by the expertise of the renowned Tilburg Fiscal Institute. It was a natural continuation of my past academic and professional journey and aligned perfectly with the direction I wanted to take in my career. In many ways, it felt like the perfect storm.

With a strong appreciation for the university and confidence in the program’s reputation, I set out to conduct further research to ensure it was the right fit. I began by reviewing the course syllabus in detail to see if the content matched my interests and goals. I also reached out to alumni who had gone on to work in Europe, especially international graduates, to understand the program’s impact on employability. In addition, I spoke with students and alumni from similar programs across the Netherlands to compare experiences, perspectives, and job market outcomes. After this thorough process, I was fully convinced: Tilburg was the right choice.

With the decision made, I turned my attention to the application process. Firstly, I had to take the TOEFL iBT, as the Master’s program is taught in English, which is not my native language. This was actually my second time taking the test, as I had previously completed it for my exchange program, but the score was no longer valid, as results are only accepted for two years. Familiar with the format and already fluent in English, I was well-prepared, and this stage of the process went smoothly.

Once this bureaucracy had been resolved, I turned my attention to the rest of my application. In my motivation letter, I focused on demonstrating my strong fit with both the program and the institution, while also outlining my future goals and how the LL.M. would help me achieve them.

Regarding the first point, I highlighted how my background, particularly my research experience and strong academic performance, combined with my professional work as a tax lawyer, had equipped me to thrive in the program. I also emphasised what I could bring to the classroom, drawing on my diverse experiences and cultural background to contribute meaningfully to discussions and peer learning. I always viewed education as a two-way exchange, in which I benefit from the teaching, but also add to it with my background.

As for the second point, I addressed how the program would build on my previous knowledge, expose me to new ideas, broaden both my academic and cultural horizons, and enhance my career prospects, especially within the European job market. At the heart of it all was the concept of fit: how the program aligned with my past experiences and future ambitions.

How Did You Find Information About the NL Scholarship?

After being admitted to the Master’s program, I began searching for potential scholarships to help support my studies. I focused primarily on the university’s official website, which features a dedicated page listing available scholarships for prospective students. That’s where I first came across the NL Scholarship (referred to at the time as the Holland Scholarship). The opportunity immediately caught my attention, although I was well aware of how competitive it would be, as only one scholarship was awarded per school at the university. In my case, it was the offer available through Tilburg Law School.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the NL Scholarship?

One of the most important steps in preparing a strong scholarship application is understanding the selection criteria. It’s essential to carefully study the scholarship guidelines and assess how your profile aligns with them. In the case of the NL Scholarship, the first key criterion is academic merit. I was able to highlight my strong academic performance and professional experience as core strengths of my application, which are achievements I had built over the years through consistent effort and dedication.

However, the scholarship also includes a strong social dimension: it aims to attract talented students from outside the EEA in order to foster greater diversity, which enriches the learning environment for everyone. Here, I was able to demonstrate how my background, coming from an emerging country, with a unique tax system (which diverges greatly from the European model), and tainted by problems of economic inequality, access to educational, legal and cultural resources, differentiated me from the other candidates, giving me a unique perspective in several fields.

In this sense, I believe a strong scholarship application is both externally and internally coherent: externally, because it aligns closely with the criteria outlined in the call for applications; and internally, because it presents a clear, consistent narrative that genuinely reflects the applicant’s identity, experiences, and achievements.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

A prospective applicant should start by carefully reading the scholarship requirements and selection criteria. From there, assess whether that is the most appropriate scholarship for their circumstances. In other words, see if you reflect what the scholarship committee is looking for.

At the same time, one should be strategic in how to present oneself. Highlight the achievements and experiences that best align with the scholarship's goals, and be coherent. Tell a narrative that is inherently yours, without trying to fit into a certain mould. If you choose the appropriate scholarship, your story will fall into place. For scholarships that consider merit, having a strong CV is essential, so it’s never too early to start building one. When the time comes to apply for your desired program and scholarship, your track record will speak for itself, and your narrative will be ready to share with confidence.

A possible tip is to draw a mental timeline: take your past as a foundation to build upon, and show how it brought you to where you are (here, a strong CV and coherent narrative are essential). And show how the scholarship (and the desired program, for that matter) aligns and drives you towards the desired future. Finally, demonstrate based on your timeline what you can contribute to the institution, the program, and society. In other words, you will make the most out of the scholarship and also give back.