Are you an ambitious student from outside the EU/EEA looking to pursue a full-time master’s degree in the Netherlands? The Maastricht University (UM) NL-High Potential Scholarship programme 2026-2027 offers an extraordinary opportunity for high-achieving international students to study at one of the most prestigious Dutch universities completely free of cost.
Each year, 21 full scholarships worth €34,000 are awarded to talented students from non-EU countries. This amount includes a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend to cover living expenses during the entire study period.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship for the academic year 2026-2027, including eligibility criteria, benefits, application process, and deadlines.
Overview of the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2026-2027:
The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship combines two funding sources:
● High Potential Scholarship, funded by the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund.
● NL Scholarship, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
Together, these scholarships support international students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Surinam who have secured admission into a participating master’s programme at UM. This initiative aims to attract top academic talent and foster global diversity in Dutch higher education.
Scholarship Duration:
● 13 months for one-year master’s programmes.
● 25 months for two-year master’s programmes.
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Scholarship Value and Financial Coverage:
The total value of the scholarship is approximately €34,000, depending on the programme duration. Here’s what the scholarship covers:
● Living Expenses: €15,925 (for 13 months) or €30,625 (for 25 months), paid directly to the student.
● Health and Liability Insurance: €700, arranged and paid by UM.
● Visa Application Fees: Paid by UM.
● Tuition Fees: Covered fully by UM.
● Pre-Academic Training Costs: Covered by UM.
● International Student Ambassador Programme (ISAP): First block cost covered by UM.
Note: All amounts are subject to change for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Mandatory Housing Requirement:
All scholarship recipients will be assigned accommodation by the university. Accepting this accommodation is mandatory, and declining the housing offer will result in cancellation of the scholarship. The accommodation is not suitable for partners or children, although religious and cultural preferences will be considered.
Monthly Living Allowance Breakdown:
The €1,225 monthly allowance is designed to cover the following expenses:
1. Housing: €600.
2. Groceries & Hygiene: €160.
3. Telephone: €60.
4. Travel: €100.
5. Books & Study Materials: €90.
6. Clothing, Hobbies & Social Life: €125.
7. Miscellaneous: €90.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2026-2027, you must meet all the following requirements:
1. Non-EU/EEA Nationality: You must hold a passport from a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or Surinam.
2. Visa Requirements: You must meet the requirements to obtain an entry visa (MVV) and residence permit for the Netherlands.
3. No Dual Citizenship: You must not hold dual citizenship with an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
4. Admission to UM Master’s Programme: You must apply for and be conditionally admitted to a participating full-time master’s programme at Maastricht University.
5. No Prior Dutch Degree: You must not have studied in a degree-seeking programme in the Netherlands. Exchange students are eligible.
6. Age Limit: You must be 35 years or younger.
7. Academic Excellence: You must have a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 (75% or 3.0 out of 4.0 scale) or higher in your most recent academic programme.
8. One Submission Only: You may only apply once. Incomplete or incorrect applications will not be accepted.
Note: This is an extremely competitive scholarship. Only 2% of applicants are selected.
Required Documents:
● Curriculum Vitae (CV): Maximum two A4 pages, include education, work experience, and any awards.
● Motivation Letter: Use the provided template focusing on your motivation for the scholarship.
● Proof of Academic Excellence: Recent GPA document (minimum 7.5/10).
● Personal Statement of Financial Need: Describe your financial circumstances, such as economic hardship, refugee status, health conditions, etc.
● Reference Letter: Must be from a former professor, lecturer, or employer. Personal references or letters from relatives are not accepted.
● Referee Contact Details: Full name, institutional email, work phone number, and relationship to you.
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Selection Process:
Step 1: Document Review
UM International Services Desk verifies if your application is complete after the deadline.
Step 2: Faculty Shortlisting
Each faculty reviews eligible applications and shortlists the top 5% of candidates.
Step 3: Final Review & Interviews
Shortlisted candidates undergo a final check and are invited for online interviews by March 2026.
Step 4: Final Decision
Around April you’ll be informed whether you have been selected or not.
Pre-Academic Training and Award Letter
Selected students must participate in the Pre-Academic Training, a mandatory two-week preparatory programme starting in August 2026. Award letters must be signed and returned to officially accept the scholarship.
How to apply for Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2026-2027?
Step 1: Apply for a Master’s Programme at UM
Begin by applying for a participating master’s programme at Maastricht University. After applying, you’ll receive a student ID, which is required for the scholarship application.
● Only selected programmes are eligible for the scholarship.
● Check your programme’s page for admission deadlines and handling fees (if any). The scholarship does not cover handling fees.
● Ensure you meet all programme requirements (except legal residence) by the scholarship deadline.
● You must also provide:
1. An official GPA document (7.5/10 or equivalent).
2. A document explaining your university’s grading system.
Step 2: Submit the Scholarship Application Form
Once you have your UM student ID, log in to the scholarship application portal and upload the required documents. You can only submit once, so be sure everything is accurate.
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Application Timeline:
● Applications Opens: October 2025.
● Scholarship Deadline: Around early February 2026 (tentative).
● Pre-Academic Training: Around first week of August 2026.
Conclusion:
The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is a golden opportunity for academically excellent, motivated, and financially needy students from non-EU countries to study in the Netherlands tuition-free. If you aspire to grow academically and make an impact globally, start preparing your application today. With only 21 spots available and thousands of applicants, this is one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships in Europe. Applications open in October 2025 mark your calendar, prepare early, and aim high. So to apply and know more visit Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2026-2027 official link here.