Master’s Scholarships 2025 Planning to pursue a master’s degree in the Netherlands but concerned about the cost? You’re not alone. While tuition for non‑EU/EEA students often ranges from €10,000 to €25,000/year, top scholarship programs—including those fully funded—are available to help outstanding candidates make their study abroad dreams come true.
✅ Why Study in the Netherlands on a Scholarship?
- World‑class universities with English‑taught master’s programs
- Strategic location and strong international networks
- Opportunities for prestigious, fully funded awards
- Scholarships tied to academic excellence and global leadership
🌍 Top Master’s Scholarships for International Students in 2025
Below are the most competitive and valuable scholarship options:
1. Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship)
- Eligible For: Non‑EEA master’s or bachelor’s applicants
- Award: One‑time grant of €5,000 toward first year tuition
- Deadline: Varies by institution (commonly Feb–Apr 2025)
- Note: Not full funding, but a helpful start
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2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)
- Eligible For: Global students applying to Erasmus Mundus consortium master’s programs
- Award: Full tuition, monthly stipend (~€1,100–1,200), travel & insurance
- Deadline: Typically Jan–Feb 2025
- Example Hosted at: Radboud University, TU Delft, others
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3. Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
- Eligible For: Outstanding non‑EEA students admitted to Leiden master’s programs
- Award: €10,000 or €15,000 tuition waiver—or full tuition minus home fee
- Deadline: 1 February (Sept intake) or 1 October (Feb intake) 2025
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4. Maastricht University Holland High Potential Scholarship
- Eligible For: Exceptional non‑EEA candidates in master’s or professional programs
- Award: Full tuition + monthly living stipend + visa & insurance costs
- Deadline: 1 February 2025
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5. TU Delft Excellence Scholarships (Justus & Louise van Effen)
- Eligible For: Top-performing non‑EEA MSc applicants at TU Delft
- Award: Full tuition plus a living allowance (approx. €18,000–€30,000/year)
- Deadline: Usually before 1 December 2024 for 2025 intake
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6. University of Twente Scholarships (UTS)
- Eligible For: Both EU/EEA and non‑EEA candidates applying to UT master’s programs
- Award: €3,000–€22,000 per year; renewable second year based on performance
- Deadline: Often 1 May 2025 (some tracks Feb)
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7. Radboud University Scholarship Programme
- Eligible For: Non‑EEA students in master’s programs at Radboud University
- Award: Partial tuition waiver to EEA level; includes visa, residence, and insurance
- Deadline: Mainly February 2025
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8. University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (Amsterdam Excellence/AMS)
- Eligible For: Non‑EEA applicants to UvA master’s programs
- Award: Up to €25,000 toward tuition and/or living expenses
- Deadline: Typically January–February 2025
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9. VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme
- Eligible For: High‑achieving non‑EEA students at VU
- Award: Around €15,000 tuition support; competitive
- Deadline: Varies by department, generally early 2025
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10. Eric Bleumink Fund Scholarships (Univ. of Groningen)
- Eligible For: Students from developing countries applying to master’s programs at Groningen
- Award: Full tuition, travel, living stipend, books, and health insurance
- Deadline: Typically 1 December 2024 for 2025 intake
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📊 At a Glance: Comparison Table
| Scholarship | Level | Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland Scholarship | MSc/BSc | €5,000 one-time | Feb–Apr 2025 |
| Erasmus Mundus (EMJMD) | MSc | Full tuition + stipend + travel | Jan–Feb 2025 |
| Leiden Excellence (LExS) | MSc | €10–15K or full tuition waiver | Feb / Oct 2025 |
| Maastricht High Potential | MSc | Full tuition + stipend + visa/insurance | Feb 1, 2025 |
| TU Delft Excellence | MSc | Full tuition + living stipend | Dec 1, 2024 |
| University of Twente (UTS) | MSc | Up to €22K/year | May 1 / Feb 2025 |
| Radboud Scholarship | MSc | EEA-level tuition waiver + extras | Feb 2025 |
| UvA Merit / Amsterdam Excellence | MSc | Up to €25K | Jan–Feb 2025 |
| VU Fellowship | MSc | ~€15K tuition support | Early 2025 |
| Bleumink Fund (Groningen) | MSc | Tuition, living, travel, insurance | Dec 1, 2024 |
🧠 Insider Tips: Maximizing Your Application Strategy
✔️ Apply Early
Most deadlines cluster between December 2024 and March 2025, depending on the scholarship and university.
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✏️ Submit University Admission First
Nearly all scholarships require admission confirmation before evaluation.
💼 Emphasize Academic Excellence & Leadership
Strong transcripts, recommendations, and compelling motivation letters are key.
🗣️ Prepare Language Scores & Documents
Include IELTS/TOEFL, CV, project proposals, and letters of support.
🌐 Use Nuffic & Study in Holland Resources
Community portals and Nuffic’s site help match local scholarship opportunities in your region.
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🏠 Plan Beyond Funding
Scholarships rarely cover housing and visa processing—budget ahead.
⚠️ What to Know: Common Realities
- Scholarships are highly selective—only a few slots per institution.
- Limited availability for MSc funding compared to domestic subsidies.
- Some Reddit users highlight that “scholarships are very rare, competitive and small.”
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✨ Real‑World Scholarship Scenario
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master at Radboud’s ILGSPD programme (International Law of Global Security, Peace & Development) includes study at Radboud among partners and covers full tuition, travel, insurance, and cost of living via EMJMD funding.
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✅ Final Thoughts: Your Roadmap to a Funded Dutch Master’s in 2025
Studying in the Netherlands with a scholarship is possible, but requires careful planning, outstanding credentials, and timely applications. While funding availability is limited and competitive, elite programs like Erasmus Mundus, TU Delft, Maastricht, Leiden, and Groningen offer meaningful support to international scholars.
📌 FAQs
Q: When should I apply for 2025 intake scholarships?
A: Most applications open from Oct–Dec 2024, with deadlines until Feb–May 2025.
Q: Are scholarships guaranteed if I’m accepted to a university?
A: No—scholarships are merit-based and awarded separately from admission.
Q: Do scholarships cover living costs?
A: Some (e.g. EMJMD, Maastricht, TU Delft, Groningen) offer full living stipends, but others (like Holland Scholarship) do not.
Q: Can EU/EEA students apply?
A: Most are reserved for non‑EEA applicants, though some (e.g. UTS) include EU/EEA in eligibility.
Q: Where can I learn more?
A: Visit official university scholarship pages and the Study in Holland / Nuffic portals for verified updates.
