Top Scholarships in the Netherlands for International Students 2025

The Netherlands (Holland) is a progressive country with a reputation for high educational quality around the world. The Netherlands could be a wonderful alternative for you if you want to extend your horizons by studying abroad in a European country with excellent academic and job prospects. This country is an excellent place to lay a strong basis for a bright future in your chosen subject, thanks to its developing economy and impressive employment rate. The Netherlands played a pivotal role in the European Union’s foundation. For international students, studying in such a setting will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although education in the Netherlands is less expensive than in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, it is still a costly option for international students, thus it is recommended that they take advantage of the scholarships offered by Dutch universities.

The Netherlands stands out as a top study abroad destination for international students, thanks to its progressive society, high educational standards, and strong job market. Dutch universities are globally recognized, offering a wide range of English-taught programs and a welcoming, multicultural environment. While tuition and living costs are generally lower than in the US, UK, or France, studying in the Netherlands can still be expensive for non-European students. Fortunately, a variety of scholarships are available to help offset these expenses, making world-class education more accessible.

Key scholarships for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students include the NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship), which provides a one-time grant of €5,000 for the first year of study to non-EEA students pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees at participating Dutch institutions. Other notable options are the Orange Knowledge Programme (for mid-career professionals from developing countries), Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, and university-specific awards such as those from Leiden, Maastricht, Radboud, Utrecht, Groningen, TU Delft, University of Amsterdam, University of Twente, VU Amsterdam, and The Hague University of Applied Sciences. These scholarships vary in coverage, with some offering partial tuition support and others providing full tuition, living expenses, and additional benefits

Key Points in Netherlands

Charming view of an Amsterdam canal lined with bicycles, boats, and historic buildings.

The Netherlands is a top destination for international students in 2025, offering world-class education, vibrant student life, and a wide range of English-taught programs.

The NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) is one of the most popular scholarships, providing €5,000 for non-EEA students pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees at participating Dutch universities.

Dutch universities like University of Groningen, Maastricht University, University of Twente, Leiden University, and Utrecht University offer a variety of scholarships for international students for the 2025-26 intake.

Application deadlines for most scholarships fall between February and June 2025, so early preparation is key.

Scholarships are highly competitive and selection is based on academic excellence, motivation, and alignment with the university’s values.

Studying in the Netherlands opens doors to global career opportunities and a multicultural learning environment.

The NL Scholarship

The NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship) offers a €5,000 grant for non-EEA students in their first year of a bachelor’s or master’s program at participating Dutch universities.

Merit-based scholarships

Major Dutch universities provide their own merit-based scholarships, often covering tuition fees and sometimes living costs, for outstanding international students.

Orange Knowledge Programme

The Orange Knowledge Programme targets professionals from select developing countries, funding short courses and master’s programs, including living and travel expenses.

 EU-funded scholarships

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees offer generous EU-funded scholarships for joint programs across multiple European universities, including Dutch institutions.

Application periods

Application periods for most scholarships typically open between December and March, with deadlines ranging from February to June, depending on the university and program.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria commonly include non-EEA nationality, excellent academic records, admission to a Dutch program, and, in some cases, specific motivation letters or essays

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