Maastricht University Master’s Scholarship in the Netherlands 2026 | Fully Funded

Scholarships for International

Maastricht University (UM) in the Netherlands annually offers 21 fully funded scholarships with a total value of up to €34,000 (covering full tuition fee waiver + monthly living allowance) for talented international students from outside the EU/EEA who have been admitted to a full-time master’s program at the university.

The Maastricht University Master’s Scholarship combines:

High Potential Scholarship (funded by the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund).
NL Scholarship (funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in collaboration with Dutch universities).

The Scholarship aims to attract outstanding international students from outside the EU/EEA to pursue a full master’s degree in the Netherlands.

Scholarship Details

Funding bodies: Maastricht University and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in collaboration with Dutch universities.
Host institution: Maastricht University, the Netherlands.
Study level: Full-time Master’s degree.
Type of funding: Fully funded.
Duration: 13 months for one-year master’s programs, and 25 months for two-year master’s programs.

Scholarship Value and Benefits

The scholarship covers:

Living expenses:
- €15,925 for 13 months (≈ €1,225/month).
- €30,625 for 25 months.
Health & liability insurance: €700.
Visa application costs: Covered by the university.
Tuition fees: Fully covered.
Pre-Academic Training Program: Covered by the university.
International Student Ambassador Programme (ISAP): Costs covered in the first semester.

Breakdown of estimated monthly budget (€1,225):

Housing: €600
Food & hygiene: €160
Phone: €60
Transportation: €100
Books & study materials: €90
Clothing & leisure: €125
Other expenses: €90

Important Note:

Flight ticket is not included.
University housing is a mandatory part of the scholarship. Refusal leads to cancellation of funding. Housing is not suitable for families (spouse/children).

Important Dates

Applications open: 1 October 2025
Application deadline: 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)
Deadline for master’s program application at UM: 8 December 2025
Start of Pre-Academic Training: First week of August 2026
Start of studies: September 2026

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following:

Hold nationality of a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname.
Meet the requirements to obtain a Dutch entry visa and residence permit (MVV).
Must not hold dual nationality with an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
Must have applied for an eligible master’s program at UM for 2026-2027 by 8 December 2025.
Must meet the admission requirements of the chosen master’s program.
Must not have previously enrolled in a degree program in the Netherlands (exchange programs are exempt).
Preference is given to applicants who have not yet obtained a master’s degree.
Must be under 35 years old on 1 September 2026.
Must have excellent academic results (GPA ≥ 7.5/10).
Commitment to act as a Maastricht University ambassador during and after studies by participating in student promotion activities.
Applicants may apply only once and for one scholarship.
All documents must be complete and accurate at submission (no edits/additions allowed afterward).

Application Steps

Step 1: Apply for a master’s program at UM

Apply via Studielink.nl.
After registration, you will receive a Student ID, required for the scholarship application.
All admission requirements must be met by 1 February 2026 (except legal residence, tuition payment, and original diploma submission).
Some programs may charge a Handling Fee, which must be paid before 8 December 2025 (not covered by the scholarship).
You must upload an official transcript showing your GPA (≥ 7.5/10) + a document explaining the grading system.

Step 2: Submit the scholarship application via UM account
Required documents (PDF or Word format):

CV (max. 2 pages).
Motivation letter (using the required template).
Proof of academic excellence (transcript + grading scale explanation).
Personal statement of financial need.
Recommendation letter (from a professor, academic supervisor, or employer – not family).
Referee’s details (name, relationship, work phone, official email).

Selection Process

February 2026: International Services Desk screens applications for completeness.
February 2026: Complete applications sent to faculties.
March 2026: Each faculty nominates its top 5 candidates.
End of March 2026: Final review and invitation to online interview.
April 2026: Online interviews held; all applicants notified (Selected – Waitlisted – Rejected).
May 2026: Final updates of status.
August 2026: Mandatory Pre-Academic Training begins.