20 Best Scholarships in the Netherlands For International Students

Built with a strong economy and multicultural population, the Netherlands is an excellent option for studying undergraduate programs, and graduate and doctorate degrees. The Netherlands is located in Western Europe, and it’s bordered by Germany and Belgium. For years, this country had significantly contributed to different fields such as economy, science, and other industries.

The Netherlands promotes a world-class education as it is a home for renowned scientists, inventors, and other professionals that created a massive impact on the world’s advancement. This country has produced outstanding results and continues to deliver by producing graduates in various educational and research fields.

As of today, the Netherlands has colleges and universities that have an excellent reputation globally. They offer different programs to cater for the educational needs of every learner. If you’re an aspiring international student in the Netherlands, this country provides numerous resources to support your studies. In this article, we will be looking at the best scholarships in the Netherlands for international students.

Best Scholarships in the Netherlands for International Students

1. Holland Government Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: € 5,000
• Eligible Degree: Undergraduate programs and graduate studies

The Holland Government Scholarship is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, and it is awarded to students who came from non-European countries. This Netherlands scholarship is given to incoming international students as it encourages them to study in the Netherlands and is a one-time scholarship.

To start your scholarship application, kindly check first if your chosen university in the Netherlands is on the list of participating universities. Check the scholarship link to view the list of approved universities. Also, you need to apply for a specific program in the undergraduate or graduate degrees and meet the admission requirements of your university and program. Usually, these include your previous educational attainments, language requirements, and many more.

2. University Twente Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: € 3,000 to € 22,000 for a whole academic year
• Eligible Degree: Graduate Studies

The University Twente Scholarship is given to students who have an outstanding academic reputation. The goal of this scholarship is to acknowledge graduate students who excel in their respective programs. And this is open to both European and non-European countries.

The application for this scholarship in the Netherlands is a separate procedure from your admission process. To be eligible for this scholarship, you should meet all requirements stated in the scholarship link. You should be admitted to a graduate program, and you already have results from the English language tests, meeting the required scores.

All applications are made online, and once you submitted the requirements and the application itself, you’ll receive a confirmation. The committee will assess your application, and you’ll be notified when the results are out. The results are either accepted, denied, or stand by.

3. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: €6,000 per year
• Eligible Degree: Undergraduate programs

The University of Amsterdam is a public university in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and it has an outstanding reputation in the country and Europe. This public university offers a merit scholarship for excellent undergraduate international students. These scholarships in the Netherlands for international students are offered to students taking economics and business, psychology, and social behavioural oral sciences programs.

To start your application, kindly check first if you meet the criteria for you to be considered. Every department has different requirements, selection, and application processes. But usually, they will require you to have excellent academic scores in your chosen program. You can submit your application through the admission portal. Alongside your application, you will also be required to submit documents like GPA, results of the English proficiency test, motivation, and recommendation letters.

4. Maastricht University Holland-High Potential scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: Tuition fee – depending on your program, annual living expenses of € 11,400 for 12 months, visa application fee, and others.
• Eligible Degree: Graduate Studies

The Maastricht University Holland-High Potential scholarship, one of the best scholarships in the Netherlands for international students, is a combination of the university’s high potential scholarship funded by the Maastricht University and the Holland scholarship financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science. It is awarded to international graduate students who show excellence in their respective graduate programs.

To qualify for this scholarship, you should meet the specific admission requirements of your chosen program and have excellent academic grades. Start your application by registering in one of the university’s master’s programs online. You’ll be asked to fill out an application form and submit some documents. You can check the required documents in the scholarship link.

The International Services Desk will make the selection of the recipients, and you’ll be notified whether your application is accepted, denied, or shortlisted. If you’re accepted, you’ll be required to attend the university’s three-week Pre-Academic Training.

5. CSC-Leiden University Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: A monthly allowance of €1,350, complete waiver of application, bench and residence fees, a one-time health insurance contribution of €500, and more
• Eligible Degree: PhD degree

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) at Leiden University provides scholarships to aspiring Chinese students. This scholarship promotes young professional or outstanding graduate students who want to continue their PhD degrees. In return, after their studies, these Chinese students would practice and go back to their mainland.

To apply for this Netherlands scholarship, you should be a citizen of the People’s Republic of China and hold or currently studying for a Master’s degree. Also, you should be accepted to Leiden University, and you have a high English proficiency. If you meet these requirements, you can process your application at the university. The scholarship provides a detailed process of the scholarship. On the other hand, the selection will be made by the university’s team and the CSC.

6. Erasmus University Rotterdam – L-EARN for Impact Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: €10,000 – € 22,000
• Eligible Degree: Graduate Studies

The L-EARN for Impact Scholarship in Erasmus University Rotterdam is offered to international students who came from developing countries (according to the list of the World Bank). This scholarship aims to promote economic development in these developing countries. After completing the program, the recipients should return to their respective countries to contribute to their mainland’s economy and social growth.

This scholarship is awarded to exceptional international students reaching a high grade of 8 (Dutch’s educational system) in their program per semester. To apply, kindly visit the scholarship link to view if your country is indicated and contact your department.

7. Radboud Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: Partial to full tuition fee exemption and it will also cover the fees for visa, residence permit, health insurance, and liability insurance.
• Eligible Degree: Graduate Studies

The Radboud Scholarship is offered to international students currently enrolled in the university’s graduate programs in the English language. Yearly, they select 25 recipients for the partial scholarship and 12 recipients for the full scholarship. They should be currently enrolled in the university while applying for this scholarship.

This scholarship in the Netherlands is highly selective, and the university chooses the recipients based on their academic performance and results. There are some documents you should present, such as recommendation and motivation letters. You can start your application during your admission process. In the university’s application system, you can indicate that you want to apply for this scholarship. The committee will decide whether you’ll get a full or partial scholarship. Lastly, take note of the deadlines, and submit the documents needed on time.

8. Holland – Zuyd Excellence Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: €5000 in the first year, then €3600 net discount on tuition fees for the rest of the study
• Eligible Degree: Undergraduate programs and graduate studies

The Zuyd Excellence Scholarship is a scholarship for international students to study at the University of Applied Sciences in Maastricht (Zuyd). This Scholarship was established to help international students who show excellence but cannot afford to pay the full tuition fees. The Scholarship will be awarded based on academic merit. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.5 from their previous studies and a high English proficiency level. The Zuyd Excellence Scholarship is awarded for one year and can be extended for up to 3 years if necessary.

Download and complete the form on their website to apply for this Scholarship. Then submit all the required documents to the specified email before the deadline.

9. Maastricht – Chengdu Friendship Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: Maximum €8700 per academic year
• Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s or Master’s programs

The Maastricht – Chengdu Friendship Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship for students from China. The Scholarship is for students who have completed at least one year of college in Chengdu, China, and are applying to study abroad at a university in the Netherlands.

The Scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, including application fees, health insurance, and living expenses. It also provides a stipend for travel to and from China plus journeys within the Netherlands during the academic year.

To apply, download and complete the application form and submit the required documents to the specified email address.

10. Orange Tulip Scholarship Programme

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: €2000
• Eligible Degree: Undergraduate and graduate programs

The Orange Tulip Scholarship is part of the Dutch Government’s educational funding program for international students. The scholarship amount is €2,000 per year, and you may be awarded up to 4 years.

There are no restrictions on the number of recipients per year, but it’s first-come, first-served so apply early!

You can apply if you are a non-EU citizen or a Netherlands resident.

To apply for this scholarship in the Netherlands, submit an online application and send the required documents to the university to which you are applying.

11. Utrecht Excellence Scholarships for International Students

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: Full-tuition
• Eligible Degree: Undergraduate and postgraduate programs

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is a program aimed at international students. It was established by the University of Utrecht, one of the most ranked universities in the Netherlands. The scholarship program is available for all university undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.

The scholarships provide financial assistance to students who meet specific criteria. These criteria include being an international student from outside Europe, having excellent academic results, showing leadership qualities, and having a clear career goal after graduation.

Since it was launched in 2008, over 100 international students have been awarded this Scholarship annually. It makes it one of the most popular scholarship programs in the Netherlands for international students!

12. VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: €5,000 or €10,000 for one year
• Eligible Degree: Master’s Degree Programmes

The VU Amsterdam Fellowship is one of the best scholarships in the Netherlands. This scholarship allows international students to study at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and covers tuition fees and living expenses for up to one year and can be extended for a second year if necessary.

The fellowship is open to all international students who have been accepted into or are currently studying at the university as undergraduate students, master’s students, or doctoral candidates. However, it is only open to students applying for their first-choice program in the Netherlands. You cannot apply here if you’ve already applied elsewhere in Europe or beyond.

You must demonstrate your financial need by providing proof of income and other documentation proving your eligibility for this Scholarship before you will be considered for the fellowship.

13. Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: Full tuition fees, insurance, and accommodation fees
• Eligible Degree: Master’s Degree Programmes

The Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships are awarded to Dutch and international students eligible to receive a scholarship from the Netherlands Scholarship Foundation (NUFF).

The scholarships are awarded to university students who have been accepted for a full-time or part-time Master’s degree course. The scholarships cover tuition fees, social insurance, and accommodation costs for the duration of your studies. You will also receive an allowance for books and materials and additional support during your studies.

Scholarship recipients must be enrolled in a full-time or part-time degree course. Applicants can only apply once per academic year as determined by their university and will be assessed on their educational background, study plans, motivation letter, and English language proficiency score (TOEFL).

14. Eric Bleumink Scholarships at the University of Groningen

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: tuition fee, costs of international travel, and health insurance
• Eligible Degree: Master’s Degree Programmes

The Eric Bleumink Scholarship at the University of Groningen is an excellent option for international students who need financial assistance. This Scholarship supports applicants outside the European Union and is available to master students in social sciences, humanities, arts, and law.

The application process is straightforward to apply for this Netherlands scholarship. You’ll need to submit an essay on your personal experiences with migration and a resume. You’ll also have to write a letter of motivation explaining why you’d like to study at the University of Groningen.

15. World Citizen Talent Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: €5000
• Eligible Degree: Master’s programs

The World Citizen Talent Scholarship is a scholarship the Dutch government gives to students who are citizens of other countries. The award allows you to study at any Dutch university, college, or vocational school for free.

The award is based on your talent and skills, not your nationality or financial situation. To qualify for this Scholarship, you must be an international student who has been accepted into a full-time Master’s degree program at a Dutch university or college.

To apply, you must first be enrolled in a Master’s Program. Then submit the required application form and specific documents to the university.

16. Orange Knowledge Programme

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: Full-tuition
• Eligible Degree: Master’s programs

The Orange Knowledge Programme is an initiative of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science. It aims to attract high-performing students from around the world to study in the Netherlands. The scholarship in the Netherlands offers full tuition fees and living expenses for up to two years of study at one of over 300 Dutch universities.

Orange Scholars are given a special place at their university, which includes a mentor who helps them settle in and access to a wide range of events, activities, and mentorship programs designed specifically for them.

In addition to these benefits, Orange Scholars also have opportunities to apply for additional funding from other sources, such as scholarships or grants offered by their university or other institutions such as NGOs or businesses.

17. Study for a Master’s in Europe Scholarship

• Scholarship Amount: €5000
• Eligible Degree: Postgraduate programs

The Study in Europe Scholarship by Education.com is a one-year scholarship that provides partial tuition assistance to students studying abroad in Europe. The Scholarship is open to graduate students. The applicant must be enrolled or accepted into an accredited college or university program in Europe.

The Scholarship is worth up to €5000 per year and is awarded on merit. To apply, applicants must submit a 500-word essay about why they want to study abroad and what opportunity it will provide them for personal growth and professional development. Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need and those who plan on studying in countries where English isn’t the primary language.

18. Visiting Fellowship Programme

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: Full tuition and accommodation
• Eligible Degree: Postgraduate programs

The Visiting Fellowship Programme is a scholarship program that offers students the opportunity to study in the Netherlands. In addition, the program provides opportunities for students interested in pursuing research and academic development at one of the participating universities or institutes.

The fellowship is meant to allow students to participate in research projects related to their field of interest, which will help them contact professors and other researchers and learn more about Dutch culture.

The Programme aims to provide scholars with an opportunity to visit the Netherlands to conduct research or complete a project for up to one year. The Programme is open to all disciplines, including the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and engineering. The applicants should have completed their PhD no more than five years before the application deadline.

19. Africa Scholarship Programme at Wageningen University & Research

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: Tuition fee and accommodation
• Eligible Degree: Master’s programs

Africa Scholarship Programme at Wageningen University & Research is a scholarship program for excellent students from Sub-Saharan Africa who are interested in pursuing a Master’s Degree at Wageningen University & Research. This scholarship in the Netherlands is aimed at students from Sub-Saharan Africa who want to pursue a Master’s Degree in the Netherlands.

The Programme aims to contribute to the long-term development of Sub-Saharan Africa by supporting its most talented students, who will return home after graduation and help strengthen their home countries’ economies and societies.

The Programme offers full tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs for one academic year. The Scholarship is made possible through funding by the Ministry of Education Culture and Science (OCW), Wageningen University & Research.

20. Rotary Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: €2,500
• Eligible Degree: Master’s programs

If you are a student or professional in the water and sanitation field, this Scholarship is for you. The Rotary Club of the Hague will award a prize of €2,500 to a student or professional working in the water and sanitation sector.

Applicants must be enrolled in an academic program (e.g., college or university) at the time of application and must be able to demonstrate how their academic studies relate to their career goals in water and sanitation. The Scholarship is available only to students who are not receiving any other scholarships from Rotary Clubs worldwide.

Applicants must be members of Rotary International or hold membership with a Rotary club in another country where they will attend school or work after graduation (the applicant’s home country).

I hope that this article on the Netherlands scholarships was helpful.