Fully Funded Scholarships in Netherlands for international Students 2025-2026

Fully Funded Scholarships in Netherlands for international Students 2025-2026

Are you a international student dreaming of studying in the heart of Europe? The Netherlands, with its globally ranked universities, innovative research environment, and multicultural society, offers exceptional scholarship opportunities for students worldwide. Whether you're pursuing a master's degree or an MBA, the Dutch government and universities offer fully funded and partially funded scholarships to help you unlock your academic potential.

In this comprehensive guide, we explore the top scholarships in the Netherlands for international students for the academic year 2025-2026. These scholarships not only cover tuition fees but also provide monthly stipends, health insurance, travel allowance, and more.

Let’s discover how you can study at prestigious Dutch institutions like TU Delft, Erasmus University, University of Groningen, Maastricht University, Utrecht University, and others—with little to no financial burden.

Best Scholarships in Netherlands for international Students 2025-2026

1
1

Eric Bleumink Scholarships 2025-2026 at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands offer fully funded master’s awards covering tuition, travel, living costs, books, and health insurance. Open to talented students from developing countries, these scholarships support one- and two-year master’s programs.

2
2

The Maastricht University Scholarship offers full funding for master’s students, covering up to €30,625 in living costs, tuition fees, insurance, and visa expenses. Open to outstanding non-EU/EEA international students studying in the Netherlands.

3
3

The University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) offers up to €22,000 for master’s study in the Netherlands, with possible second-year funding. Open to outstanding international students across diverse academic fields.

4
4

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) offers up to €15,000 per year for outstanding international master’s students across all faculties. Open to high-achieving candidates applying for programs starting in February or September.

5
5

Apply for the ISS Scholarship Fund for Excellent Students in the Netherlands to study a Master of Arts in Development Studies at Erasmus University Rotterdam with 40% tuition fee coverage. Open to outstanding international students without other scholarships.

6
6

Erasmus University MBA Scholarship 2025-2026 in the Netherlands offers up to 50% tuition fee coverage for international students pursuing a full-time MBA. Apply now to study at RSM Erasmus University, a top-ranked business school known for global leadership, innovation, and sustainability in management education.

1
Eric Bleumink Scholarships at University of Groningen 2026 ​
Eric Bleumink Scholarships at University of Groningen 2026  ​

The Eric Bleumink Scholarships 2025-2026 are fully funded awards for international students pursuing master’s programs at the University of Groningen. These scholarships cover tuition fees, international travel, living expenses, books, and health insurance.

The Eric Bleumink Fund supports talented students and young researchers from developing countries. Scholarships are available for one- or two-year master’s degree programs. To be eligible, candidates must first secure a (conditional) admission offer for a master’s program before February. Since the admission process takes time, applicants are required to complete their master’s program request by December 1.

Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: Masters

  • Institution(s): University of Groningen

  • Study in: Netherlands

  • Opportunity Focus Areas: Arts, Medical Sciences, Law, Spatial Sciences, Philosophy, Science and Engineering, Economics and Business, Behavioral and Social Sciences

  • Program Period: 1 to 2 years

  • Deadline: December 1, 2025 (annual)

2
Maastricht University Scholarship 2025-2026 Fully Funded
Maastricht University Scholarship 2025-2026 Fully Funded

Great news for international students! Applications are now open for the Maastricht University Scholarship, a prestigious fully funded award for master’s studies. In this article, we outline the scholarship benefits, eligibility criteria, and the application process.

The Maastricht University Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded master’s scholarship for talented international students. It covers €30,625 in living expenses, €700 for health and liability insurance, €210 for visa application costs, and tuition fees up to €16,800.

Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in partnership with Dutch universities and applied science institutions, this scholarship supports outstanding students from outside the EU/EEA. Maastricht University is the most international university in the Netherlands, known for its innovative research, problem-based learning approach, global student community, and multidisciplinary academic environment.

Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: Master’s

  • Institution: Maastricht University

  • Study Location: Netherlands

  • Program Duration:

    • 13 months (one-year program)

    • 25 months (two-year program)

  • Deadline: February 1

3
University of Twente Scholarship 2025-2026
University of Twente Scholarship 2025-2026
Start Your Master’s Studies in the Netherlands

Great news for postgraduate aspirants! Applications are now open for the University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) 2025-2026.

The University of Twente Scholarship is a fully funded award for exceptional international students pursuing a master’s degree. Around 50 scholarships are offered annually, ranging from €3,000 to €22,000 for one year. Students enrolled in a two-year program may also receive additional funding for their second year if they meet academic requirements.

These scholarships are funded through various sources, including government grants, private donors, university faculties, and the University of Twente Scholarship Foundation. UTS recipients may also be considered for exclusive awards such as the Kipaji Scholarship and the Professor de Winter Scholarship, each with its own additional criteria.

Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: Master’s

  • Host Institution: University of Twente

  • Location: Netherlands

  • Program Duration: 2 years

  • Number of Scholarships: Approximately 50

  • Application Deadlines:

    • Round 1: 15 October – 1 February

    • Round 2: 1 February – 1 May

4
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LexS) 2025-2026
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LexS) 2025-2026

Great news for postgraduate students! Applications are now open for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) 2025-2026.

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is a tuition fee award for outstanding international students pursuing a master’s degree at Leiden University, Netherlands. The scholarship provides an average of €15,000 per year.

LExS scholarships are offered across all faculties and are awarded to academically talented students. The number and value of awards depend on the budget allocated by each faculty. Founded in 1575, Leiden University is one of Europe’s leading research institutions, known for academic excellence and international collaboration.

The university’s motto, Praesidium Libertatis — Bastion of Freedom — reflects its strong commitment to knowledge, critical thinking, and academic independence. With seven faculties spanning humanities, sciences, and social sciences, the university operates across campuses in Leiden and The Hague, serving over 28,000 students with support from 6,700 staff members.

Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: Master’s

  • Host Institution: Leiden University

  • Location: Netherlands

  • Eligible Faculties: Humanities, Archaeology, Medicine/LUMC, Law, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Governance and Global Affairs, Science, ICLON, African Studies Centre, International Institute for Asian Studies

  • Program Duration:

    • 1-year programs: 12 months

    • 2-year programs: 24 months

  • Application Deadlines:

    • 1 February for programs starting 1 September

    • 1 October for programs starting 1 February

5
ISS Scholarship Fund for Excellent Students 2025-2026 Erasmus University Rotterdam
ISS Scholarship Fund for Excellent Students 2025-2026 Erasmus University Rotterdam

The ISS Scholarship Fund for Excellent Students welcomes talented international students from around the world to pursue a Master’s degree at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands. This scholarship covers 40% of the tuition fee for the Master of Arts in Development Studies.

Many ISS students receive partial or full scholarships. To assist applicants, ISS offers a country-specific scholarship database that lists funding opportunities based on your nationality.

Erasmus University Rotterdam, with seven schools, two institutes, and a university college, established this fund through the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) to support outstanding students who do not hold any other scholarship.

Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: Master’s

  • Institution: Erasmus University Rotterdam

  • Host Country: Netherlands

  • Field of Study: Master of Arts in Development Studies

  • Program Duration: 16 months

  • Application Deadline: June 15

6
Erasmus University MBA Scholarship 2025-2026 Netherlands
Erasmus University MBA Scholarship 2025-2026 Netherlands

The Erasmus University MBA Scholarship 2025-2026 is a partially funded opportunity for international students. The award amount varies and can cover up to 50% of MBA tuition fees.

Applicants are assessed by the RSM MBA Awards Committee based on the overall strength of their MBA application, which includes essays, CV, GMAT results, business case (if required), and admission interviews. The committee also takes into account personal factors such as nationality, cultural diversity, gender, work experience, background, and demonstrated commitment to sustainability.

Since scholarship consideration is integrated with the MBA admission process, all candidates are automatically reviewed for funding in the same round as their MBA application.

Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: MBA

  • Institution(s): RSM Erasmus University

  • Study in: Netherlands

  • Opportunity Focus Areas: Business administration and management

  • Program Duration: One year

  • Application Deadlines for January 2026 Intake:

    • 11 February

    • 8 April

    • 3 June

    • 12 August

    • 1 October

    • 4 November

Top Scholarships in the Netherlands for International Students 2025

1. Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships – TU Delft

The Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships at Delft University of Technology are one of the most generous funding programs for talented international students pursuing master’s degrees in science and engineering. This fully funded opportunity is designed to support outstanding academic achievers who demonstrate the potential to lead in their fields.

Features:

  • Host Institution: Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

  • Level of Study: Master’s

  • Scholarship Value: €30,000 per year

  • Covers: Tuition fee, living expenses, and other study-related costs

  • Type: Fully Funded

  • Target Group: International students

4. Utrecht Excellence Scholarship

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship offers a highly competitive funding opportunity to exceptional international students enrolling in select master’s programs at Utrecht University. Only 25 scholarships are granted annually, making it a selective but life-changing opportunity.

Features:

  • Host Institution: Utrecht University

  • Level of Study: Master’s

  • Scholarship Value: Full tuition fee + €11,000 grant for living expenses

  • Type: Fully Funded

  • Number of Awards: 25

  • Target Group: Outstanding non-EU/EEA students

5. Radboud University Scholarship

This scholarship offers a substantial tuition reduction and additional financial benefits to academically excellent non-EEA students who are admitted to a master's program at Radboud University. Though not fully funded in the strictest sense, the tuition discount is significant.

Features:

  • Host Institution: Radboud University

  • Level of Study: Master’s

  • Scholarship Value: Reduces tuition from €16,000 to €2,209

  • Covers: Partial tuition fee, visa, residence permit, health insurance

  • Type: Partially Funded

  • Target Group: Non-EEA international students

7. University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) offers a range of merit-based scholarships for international students enrolling in select graduate programs. The amount varies based on faculty and academic performance.

Features:

  • Host Institution: University of Amsterdam

  • Level of Study: Master’s

  • Scholarship Value: €2,000 – €25,000

  • Covers: Tuition fees partially or fully

  • Type: Partially Funded

  • Target Group: Non-EU/EEA students with excellent academic backgrounds

9. NL Scholarship (Formerly Holland Scholarship)

The NL Scholarship, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, is available for international students outside the EEA pursuing undergraduate or master’s programs at participating Dutch institutions.

Features:

  • Host Institutions: Participating research universities and universities of applied sciences

  • Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s

  • Scholarship Value: One-time payment of €5,000

  • Covers: Part of tuition fee

  • Type: Partially Funded

  • Eligibility: Non-EEA international students

The Netherlands continues to be a top destination for international students due to its academic excellence, innovative research programs, and strong international outlook. Whether you're looking for a fully funded opportunity or partial support to ease your financial burden, these Netherlands scholarships in 2025-2026 are an incredible starting point.

Be sure to check deadlines, eligibility criteria, and application steps on the official university websites. Early preparation can make a huge difference in securing your dream scholarship!