Scholarships for International Students in the Netherlands

TL; DR? Highlights 

• Top universities in the Netherlands offer scholarships for both bachelor’s and master’s international students, including the NL Scholarship, Maastricht University NL-High Potential, Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, TU Delft Excellence, Radboud, Leiden, and University of Twente Scholarships. 
• Most scholarships in 2025-2026 provide substantial financial support, covering tuition, health insurance, living costs, and sometimes a one-time stipend. 
• Applications require strong academic records, proof of English proficiency, and early submission deadlines typically fall between December 2024 and March 2025.
• When you come to the Netherlands, don’t forget that international students from around the world will be able to apply for Dutch RVO scholarships. These scholarships provide free tuition fees and are reserved exclusively for people that are stateless. 

Introduction:

A scholarship in the Netherlands is a type of financial aid or reward provided to a select group of people. It is mainly used by students or individuals to fund their way through school. These scholarships are given by various organizations within the country, as well as foundations, companies, and even governments, to help meet the basic necessities of international students who reside in the Netherlands. Scholarships in the Netherlands are those awarded to international students that promise financial support. Most Scholarships amount to around $2000 USD and contribute towards tuition, books, and other educational-related materials, or even a monthly stipend, just to name a few. Some scholarships at the university level are for particular majors, like medicine; in this case, your scholarship will be automatically converted into credits towards your degree once it ends. 

Studying in the Netherlands is a great option for international students. Take advantage of the numerous opportunities and competitive admission rates. You can combine higher education with employment options, do internships during your studies, and enjoy one of Europe’s highest salaries. There are also scholarships available for International students and students with certain skills to study for free in the Netherlands. 

#Some of the top Scholarships in the Netherlands: 

1. Holland Government Scholarship: The Holland Government Scholarship is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, and it is awarded to students who come 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: 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 for 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 resulted from the English language tests, meeting the required scores.
3. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship: 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 and behavioral sciences programs.
4. Maastricht University Holland-High Potential scholarship: 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 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 be eligible for a Dutch government scholarship, the student should have an excellent academic record and adequate English language skills. You will need to apply online, while in the Netherlands or once you have already arrived – whichever is easier for you. You will need to show that your home country requires a scholarship for international students, as well as show proof of acceptance into a Dutch study program. Enclosed with your application must be additional documents from institutions and documentation about support networks in the Netherlands. 

So, having the right qualifications is essential in finding a scholarship with Dutch universities, but just because you have the necessary skills doesn’t mean you will be familiarized with or have easy access to applying. Just like everything else in life, though, time is always on your side. So start now and keep giving it your all. 

Authors Takeaways 

• Scholarships for international students in the Netherlands in 2025 cover a wide range of disciplines (engineering, business, arts, sciences, etc.) across top Dutch universities. Most are open to non-EEA students who have not studied in the Netherlands before. 
• Make sure to check university-specific eligibility! Required documents include academic transcripts, a motivational letter, CV, reference letters, and proof of English skills. 
• Scholarship amounts vary; some, like NL Scholarship, offer 5,000 for your first year, while others like Maastricht University may cover up to 34,000, including tuition and living expenses. Missing deadlines means missing out. 
• Double-check the official university scholarship pages for application dates, as many close as early as February or March 2025. 
• Studying in the Netherlands gives you access to high-quality education, career opportunities in Europe, and the advantage of a multicultural, safe environment

#FAQs