Netherlands Scholarships 2027: How to Apply for Fully Funded Maastricht University Master’s Scholarships

Are you looking for a fully funded scholarship to study in the Netherlands in 2027? Maastricht University offers the UM NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–2028, an opportunity for talented international students from eligible countries outside the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA).

The scholarship combines university funding with the NL Scholarship and provides financial support for selected students pursuing eligible master’s programmes at Maastricht University.

Depending on the programme duration, scholarship benefits include tuition fees, living expenses, health and liability insurance, visa costs, and other approved expenses. However, international travel costs are not covered, and applicants should budget for expenses that fall outside the scholarship.

Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year open on 1 October 2026. The scholarship application deadline is 1 February 2027, while the complete admission application deadline for scholarship consideration can be earlier, depending on the programme.

In this guide, World Scholarship Finder explains the scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, required documents, and step-by-step application process.

Maastricht University Scholarship 2027–2028: Overview

Important: You must apply for an eligible master’s programme before submitting your scholarship application. Check the admission deadline for your specific programme because missing it may make you ineligible for scholarship consideration.

What Is the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship?

The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship supports talented international students who want to pursue selected full-time master’s programmes at Maastricht University.

The programme combines the High Potential Scholarship, funded by the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund, with the NL Scholarship, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in cooperation with Dutch higher-education institutions.

The university reports that the programme offers 18 full scholarships each academic year. Competition is high, so applicants should carefully prepare their admission and scholarship documents.

Only selected master’s programmes qualify. Applying to Maastricht University does not automatically make you eligible for this scholarship.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants receive financial support for several major study-related expenses.

1. Tuition fees

The scholarship covers tuition fees for the eligible programme, subject to the scholarship terms.

2. Living allowance

The published funding amounts for the 2027–2028 scholarship include:

• €20,150 for a 13-month master’s programme.
• €38,750 for a 25-month master’s programme.

These amounts are intended to contribute towards living expenses over the scholarship period.

3. Health and liability insurance

The scholarship includes health and liability insurance, with a published amount of €700.

4. Visa costs

Visa application costs are covered according to the programme’s published arrangements.

5. Pre-academic training

The scholarship includes approved pre-academic training costs. The university also requires scholarship recipients to participate in its mandatory pre-academic training programme.

6. Accommodation

Scholarship recipients are allocated a room under the scholarship’s housing arrangements until 16 July 2028.

Students receiving funding for a two-year programme must arrange their own accommodation for the second year. Accepting the scholarship includes accepting the allocated room under the published conditions.

Are international flights included?

No. The published scholarship information states that international air tickets are not included. Applicants should budget for travel to and from the Netherlands.

Benefits and amounts can change, so review the official scholarship terms before accepting an award.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must satisfy the university’s nationality, academic, admission, and other eligibility requirements.

1. Nationality requirements

Applicants must generally:

• Hold the nationality of a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname.
• Not hold dual nationality from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
• Meet the requirements for obtaining a Dutch entry visa and residence permit.

Check the official eligibility rules if your citizenship or residence situation is unusual.

2. Admission to an eligible master’s programme

You must apply for a participating full-time master’s programme at Maastricht University for the 2027–2028 academic year.

You must also meet the academic and other admission requirements for that programme.

Review the official list of participating master’s programmes before applying.

3. Academic excellence

The university requires excellent previous academic results.

The published criteria include a minimum GPA of 7.5 out of 10, or an equivalent result under the relevant grading system. The university requires official academic evidence and an explanation of the grading system.

Applicants should confirm how their home university’s grading scale will be assessed.

4. Previous study in the Netherlands

Applicants must not previously have participated in a degree-seeking higher-education programme in the Netherlands. Students who have completed an exchange programme in the country may still be eligible.

5. Age requirement

Applicants must be no older than 35 on 1 September 2027.

6. Scholarship ambassador commitment

Selected students are expected to contribute to the Maastricht University community and act as scholarship ambassadors during and after their studies, including sharing their experiences at an information session.

Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award. The university states that the scholarship is highly competitive.

Which Master’s Programmes Are Eligible?

The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is available only for participating master’s programmes.

The university’s published 2027–2028 programme list includes selected degrees from faculties such as:

• Arts and Social Sciences
• Law
• Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
• Psychology and Neuroscience

Examples listed for the scholarship include:

• MA European Studies
• Selected master’s programmes in Arts and Culture
• Selected LLM programmes in European Law
• MSc Epidemiology
• MSc Global Health
• MSc Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management
• MSc Forensic Psychology
• Research Master’s in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience: Fundamental Neuroscience

This is not a complete list. Programme eligibility can differ, so check the university’s official 2027–2028 participating programme list before choosing a degree.

Application Deadlines for 2027–2028

Applicants must pay close attention to two separate deadlines: the deadline for completing the master’s admission application and the deadline for submitting the scholarship application.

Some individual programme pages publish different admission deadlines. Your programme’s official requirements and the central scholarship instructions should be checked together.

Do not wait until February to start your master’s application. You may need to complete admission requirements in December to remain eligible for the scholarship.

Documents Required

Prepare the following documents for your scholarship application:

• Updated CV, no longer than two A4 pages
• Scholarship motivation letter using the university’s template
• Official university transcript or document showing your most recent GPA
• Document explaining your university’s grading system
• Personal statement explaining your financial needs
• Referee’s work telephone number, including country calling code
• Referee’s institutional or work email address

You must also complete the university’s master’s admission process and provide all documents required by your chosen programme.

The scholarship application is submitted through the university’s designated application form. According to the official guidance, applicants can submit the scholarship application only once, so check every document before final submission.

How to Apply for the Maastricht University Scholarship

Follow these steps to apply for the 2027–2028 intake.

Step 1: Choose an eligible master’s programme

Visit the official Maastricht University master’s programme directory and identify a degree that matches your academic background and career goals.

Confirm that the programme appears on the scholarship’s eligible programme list.

Step 2: Apply for admission

Follow the programme’s admission instructions and apply through the university’s required admissions system.

Once you receive your Maastricht University student number, you can use it to complete the scholarship application.

Step 3: Check your academic eligibility

Confirm that you meet the minimum GPA requirement and have the academic documents needed to demonstrate your results.

If your university uses a different grading system, prepare an official explanation of that system.

Step 4: Prepare your scholarship documents

Write your motivation letter and financial-needs statement. Update your CV and obtain the necessary academic evidence and referee details.

Use the university’s prescribed templates where required.

Step 5: Submit the scholarship application

Complete the official scholarship application form and upload the required documents before 1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET.

Make sure you have also completed the admission requirements by the earlier deadline applicable to your programme.

Step 6: Prepare for selection

The university reviews complete applications and forwards them for faculty assessment. Selected candidates may be invited to an online interview.

Step 7: Check your result

The university expects to communicate selection outcomes in April 2027, with selected, waitlisted, or rejected statuses expected by early May.

Successful applicants must accept the scholarship formally by signing and returning the award letter.

Can You Apply Without IELTS?

The scholarship itself does not establish a blanket IELTS exemption.

English-language requirements depend on the master’s programme and the applicant’s educational background. Some programmes may accept alternative evidence of English proficiency, while others require specified tests or qualifications.

Before booking an English-language test, check your programme’s official admission requirements to see whether your previous education or another accepted qualification can satisfy the requirement.

Read the relevant Maastricht University programme admission information before submitting your application.

Is There an Application Fee?

Do not assume that applying is completely free.

Maastricht University states that the scholarship does not cover any handling fee that may be required as part of a programme’s admission procedure. Whether a fee applies depends on the programme and the applicant’s circumstances.

Check the admission requirements for your chosen master’s programme to identify any application-related charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the Maastricht University Scholarship 2027 fully funded?

The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship provides tuition coverage and financial support for living expenses, insurance, visa costs, and other approved expenses. International flights are not included, and some additional personal costs may remain.

2. Who can apply for the Maastricht University Scholarship?

Eligible applicants generally come from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname, meet the university’s nationality rules, have excellent academic results, and qualify for an eligible full-time master’s programme.

3. What is the Maastricht University Scholarship deadline for 2027?

The scholarship application deadline is 1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET. However, the complete admission application for scholarship consideration may be due earlier. Check your chosen programme’s deadline.

4. What GPA is required?

The published scholarship criteria require a GPA of at least 7.5 out of 10 or an accepted equivalent. Applicants must provide official academic evidence and an explanation of their grading system.

5. Can I apply without IELTS?

Not everyone is exempt from English-language testing. Check the language requirements of your chosen master’s programme and whether the university accepts alternative evidence.

6. Does the scholarship cover accommodation?

The scholarship includes an allocated room under its housing arrangements until 16 July 2028. Students funded for a two-year programme must arrange their own accommodation for the second year.

7. Are bachelor’s and PhD students eligible?

The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship described here is for participating master’s programmes. Maastricht University offers other scholarship opportunities, but applicants should check the separate eligibility rules for bachelor’s or doctoral funding.

8. When will scholarship results be announced?

The university expects to communicate outcomes in April 2027, with final statuses expected by early May 2027.

Conclusion

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–2028 offers eligible international students an opportunity to pursue selected master’s degrees in the Netherlands with substantial financial support.

Applicants should begin by checking the participating programmes, meeting the admission requirements, and preparing the scholarship documents well before the deadline.

Remember that the master’s admission deadline and scholarship deadline are separate. Confirm both through the official university website before submitting your application.

For more opportunities, explore World Scholarship Finder’s guides to fully funded scholarships for international students, scholarships for African students, and European scholarships for international students.

Official scholarship application information: Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship

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