Picture this: you’ve been accepted into a top Dutch university. You’re excited, but the cost of tuition and living in Europe looms large. Then you find a scholarship that covers tuition, helps with housing or stipend. Suddenly, your dream doesn’t seem out of reach. The Netherlands offers several such opportunities that make it possible for non‑EU/EEA students to study there affordably, even with “fully funded” programmes.
Dutch universities are known for high quality, strong research output, and many international master’s and bachelor’s programmes in English. Add to that an international community, good infrastructure, and relatively lower living costs compared to many Western European countries and you see why students are increasingly searching “Netherlands scholarships 2026” or “study in Netherlands scholarship non EU full funding.”
If you’re ready to act fast, this list will help you identify some of the best scholarship options, what they offer, and what to watch out for.
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Major Scholarship Options in the Netherlands for International Students
Here are several scholarships that non‑EU/EEA international students should know about. Some are fully funded, some partially, but all are meaningful. Deadlines often are final call moments, so timing matters.
Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship)
This is one of the most common and popular grants. It’s offered by the Dutch Ministry of Education along with various universities. If you are a non‑EEA student applying to a full‑time Bachelor’s or Master’s programme, you could receive a one‑time amount of around €5,000 for your first year. It doesn’t cover everything but gives a significant boost to offset the cost of tuition. Because many students apply, this is one where the deadline is urgent and missing it means waiting another intake.
University of Twente Scholarships (UTS)
If you’re admitted into a Master’s programme at University of Twente, there are scholarships available ranging from €3,000 up to €22,000 or more. Some of these UTS scholarships are renewable if you meet certain academic performance criteria. Because this is a high value offer, many deadlines are strict, and you should check the Twente website regularly.
Eric Bleumink Scholarships – University of Groningen
These are more generous grants meant for master’s level international students from developing countries. What makes this one special is that it often covers more than just tuition: travel, books, insurance, and living expenses are included. If you qualify, this is a strong opportunity.
Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES)
Utrecht University offers this to outstanding international students for Master’s (and sometimes Bachelor’s). The UES typically includes support for both tuition and a contribution toward living expenses. It’s highly competitive, but very worth applying for if your grades are excellent. Timing is everything here—deadlines are often early in the year.
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Maastricht University Scholarships
Maastricht University has the “Holland High Potential” scholarship, which aims to attract exceptionally talented international students. Depending on the year and programme, it may cover full or nearly full tuition, and sometimes provide a stipend for living costs. The calls are usually during the application season, so once “just announced”, you’ll want to move fast.
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Leiden University runs merit‑based scholarships for non‑EU Master’s students. The scholarships range from partial to full tuition waivers. This is a good choice if you’re applying to Leiden, and your academic record is strong. Application windows tend to be time‑sensitive, and sometimes the number of slots is limited.
Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships at TU Delft
If your field is technical or engineering, especially at Master’s level, TU Delft’s Justus & Louise van Effen scholarships are among the top picks. They are often fully funded for tuition and may include support for housing or living cost. Delft is very competitive, so start gathering your documents early.
Radboud University Scholarship
Radboud offers scholarships to non‑EEA students in selected English‐taught Master’s degree programmes. These may not always cover all expenses, but they can reduce tuition significantly and sometimes also grant a living stipend or support for visa/insurance.
Orange Tulip Scholarship
This one is interesting because it’s country-structured. The Orange Tulip is managed via Nuffic and participating institutions, multinationals, and partners in various countries. If your home country is one of those with an Orange Tulip arrangement, you may be eligible for full or partial financial support, sometimes including flights or visa. It’s also modified each year, so watch for “just announced” Orange Tulip calls.
Important Things to Check & Be Ready For
- Unless explicitly stated, many scholarships cover tuition only, or tuition + some stipend, but not always living expenses in full.
- Non‑EU/EEA applicants must often show proof of English language proficiency, sometimes Dutch or Polish depending on the course.
- Deadlines are strict and usually annual. If a call is published, that’s your final call window to apply. Missing deadlines can mean waiting a whole year.
- The “fully funded” tag means different things—make sure you know what “fully funded” means in each case (tuition, travel, insurance, stipend, etc.).
- Competition is usually strong. Academic performance, motivation letters, references all matter. If something says “fast‑track”, apply early.
If you want to make your Netherlands study‑dream a reality, here’s your plan of attack:
1. Pick 2 or 3 of the scholarships above that match your course, field, home country eligibility, and academic strength.
2. Go to their official websites right away. Look for the “Call for applications” pages. Mark their deadlines in your calendar. Because many are “last chance” when opened.
3. Prepare your documents now—academic transcripts, proof of English, recommendations, motivation letters. If you wait, you’ll scramble.
4. Apply to your desired Master’s or Bachelor’s programmes (in some cases, you need admission before applying for the scholarship).
5. If you need help checking eligibility, drafting essays, or managing deadlines, contact us for further enquiries. We’re happy to help you map this out so you don’t miss the final hours of a call.
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