Utrecht University founded in 1636, is one of the oldest public research universities in the Netherlands. They have three campuses in Utrecht and one in Middleburg, offering 50 Bachelor’s programs, 153 Master’s programs, and several other professional programs and courses. Over the course of their long service in education, the university was able to produce thousands of publications and get their name on top rankings in terms of research and their fields of expertise.

UU continues to grow by identifying its community as diverse explorers— always wanting to be involved and always involving everyone. The Netherlands is greatly known as one of the most inclusive countries for students wanting to study abroad, and Utrecht University is one of, if not the top option as they offer many programs in English. In this article, we will be looking at the Utrecht University scholarships for international students.

International Students

Utrecht University has been known as one of the top-choice universities for international students in the Netherlands as they offer a wide range of English Bachelor’s and Master’s programs as well as over 200 courses for exchange students. From a total of around 30,000 students, 1,500+ of those are international enrollees coming from over 118 countries.

To provide the best learning environment for their non-Dutch community, UU regularly recruits top lecturers to join their faculty and teach English programs. During the summer, they also offer a number of special courses for international students where, in 2017, over 4000 students from 120 different countries joined.

Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students

Tuition Fee for International Students

The tuition fee for international undergraduate students at Utrecht University for S.Y. 2021-2022 is €15,700 or roughly $18,800. For graduate students, the tuition is raised moderately higher at €22,800 or approximately $27,300. This varies per program and may also change per academic year.

International Admissions Guide at Utrecht University

The kick-starter for the application process at Utrecht University is finding which program you are interested in. This will determine any additional documents that may be required on top of the general entry requirements. It is also important for undergraduates to note if their chosen program is a limited enrollment or selection program, meaning that the deliberation process is tighter and more competitive. The acceptance of a student for these cases is based on class standing as well as other competencies determined by the program. For a step-by-step guide on international admissions, go to UU’s Application Procedure page.

The admissions process for graduate students is similar. Once the student has decided on their desired program, they may start preparing the general and program-specific requirements before submitting the online application. You may view the complete guidelines here.

Application Fee

The application fee for both international bachelor’s and master’s students is €100 or approximately $120. Exemptions are granted to a few specific cases.

Admissions Requirements for International Students

The general requirements for international undergraduate students at Utrecht University include a copy of the applicant’s passport or EU national ID card and evidence of their current and/or previous education. Proof of Dutch or English language proficiency must also be submitted, depending on the language of instruction of their chosen program. For students who have not yet received their diploma, a certificate of graduation may be submitted in lieu. This must indicate that the student will graduate before they start their studies at UU. Other documents may also be required by some programs. For a more complete list of requirements for international undergraduates, click here.

The applicant’s passport or EU national ID, proof of Dutch or English literacy, and diploma or proof of graduation are also requirements for international graduate students. Additional documents for master’s students include the CV or motivation letter, two recommendation letters, and any specifics required by certain programs. Visit UU’s Application Procedure for further details.

Rankings

University scores in the Netherlands are impressively high in comparison to other countries. In fact, almost all of their universities are at the top 2% best in the world, including Utrecht University. UU holds a number of notable top rankings, such as being #52 in the world’s best universities and taking the #1 spot in the Netherlands based on Shanghai Rankings. The Times Higher Education World Reputation ranking has also put UU at the 75th spot, while the U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities Ranking places them at the top 55.

Distinctions are also given by different organizations to specific subject areas of universities, which gives a clearer picture of what institutions’ areas of expertise are. Utrecht University takes the number 1 spot worldwide in being the most influential in climate and ecosystems research. Among others, they are ranked #3 in public administration by Shanghai Rankings, #4 in veterinary science by CWUR Ranking, and #5 in pharmacology and toxicology by NTU Ranking.

Acceptance Rate

The estimated acceptance rate at Utrecht University is 50%. Some programs are more difficult to get into because of their limited enrollment and selection. Applications are reviewed based on the student’s grades and competencies, with higher requirements depending on the program.

Undergraduate Scholarships

1. Utrecht Excellence Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Varies from €5,000 to €17,000 (depending on the program)

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship, funded by the university and its alumni, offers nine scholarships each year to outstanding international candidates. Students cannot apply for the scholarship; instead, the university follows a nomination process and the chosen ones will be given the opportunity to pursue a degree in Economics and Business Economics, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, or Global Sustainability Science.

The amount of this Utrecht University scholarship will depend on the program the student will enter. They can receive an amount ranging from €5,000 to €17,000 (approximately $6,000 to $20,400). The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship can be renewed for the second or third time as long as the student is able to maintain a satisfactory grade in their program.

No other scholarships are offered for international undergraduate students at Utrecht University. However, other financial aid options such as loans are available and may be viewed here.

Graduate Scholarships

1. Utrecht Excellence Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition fees or tuition fees plus €11,000 (around $13,200) living expenses

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is awarded to international master’s enrollees who belonged to the top 10% of their graduating class. This Utrecht University scholarship is awarded to 20-25 students each year, who will receive an amount to cover just their tuition fee, or the tuition fee plus an additional €11,000 for living expenses.

Applicants must be enrolled in one of the six master’s programs who are participating in the scholarship otherwise, they will not be eligible. The scholarship may be renewed for the following school year if the student shows consistent excellence in their studies.

2. Orange Tulip Scholarship

The Orange Tulip Scholarship is offered to one international student from China, Hong Kong (SAR), or Macao (SAR) each year. Only a select few programs in UU are part of the scholarship, so applicants enrolled in other master’s programs will not be accepted. Additional requirements of this Utrecht University scholarship include a non-Dutch secondary school or university diploma and all necessary documents to secure a Dutch visa. The chosen grantee will receive a total of €7,500 or approximately €9,000.

For the complete list and guidelines on international master’s scholarships at Utrecht University scholarship, visit UU’s Grants and Scholarships page.

 

I hope that this article on Utrecht University scholarships for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!