The Ultimate Netherlands Scholarship Guide for Indian & International Students

The Netherlands offers scholarships for international students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Dutch universities. Depending on the award, funding may help with tuition fees, living expenses, travel, or other study costs.

Indian students are eligible for many scholarships open to non-EEA applicants, provided they meet the university, program, academic, and scholarship requirements.

This guide covers scholarships in the Netherlands for international students for the 2026-27 and upcoming application cycles, including funding, eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines.

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Scholarships in the Netherlands for International Students: Quick Overview

Scholarships in the Netherlands are offered by the Dutch government, universities, and international programs such as Erasmus Mundus. Most major awards for international students are aimed at master’s applicants, although selected funding opportunities are also available for bachelor’s students. Indian students are eligible for several scholarships as non-EEA applicants.

Most scholarships are competitive and have separate eligibility, admission, and application requirements, so receiving university admission does not automatically guarantee scholarship funding.

Note: Scholarship amounts, eligibility criteria, and deadlines can change by academic year and university. Always check the official scholarship page before applying.

Scholarships in the Netherlands for International Students

Here’s a closer look at popular scholarships available to international students in the Netherlands, including their eligibility requirements, deadlines, and funding benefits.

NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship)

The NL Scholarship is designed for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree at participating Dutch higher education institutions. The scholarship provides €5,000 in the first year of study and should not be considered a full-tuition scholarship.

Eligibility:

Open to non-EEA students (including Indian students) enrolling in a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a participating Dutch higher education institution.

Deadline:

There is no single deadline for all applicants. Application dates are set by participating institutions, so students should check the deadline for their chosen university and academic year.

Amount / Benefits:

€5,000 in the first year of study. This is a contribution toward study costs, not a full-tuition scholarship.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programs delivered by consortia of universities across multiple countries. Some programs include universities in the Netherlands, making Erasmus Mundus relevant to students who want to complete part of their master’s studies at a Dutch institution.

Eligibility:

Eligibility varies by individual Erasmus Mundus Joint Master program. Applicants generally need a relevant bachelor’s degree and must meet the academic, language, and program-specific admission requirements.

Deadline:

Deadlines vary by program and application cycle. Applicants should check the individual Erasmus Mundus program catalog rather than relying on one universal deadline.

Amount / Benefits:

Erasmus Mundus scholarships can provide an individual scholarship contribution of €1,400 per month for up to 24 months. Funding is intended to support participation and expenses such as travel, visa, installation, and living costs according to the applicable program rules.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) is a merit-based scholarship for eligible international students applying to selected master’s programs at Leiden University.

Eligibility:

Non-EEA students applying to an eligible Leiden University master’s program. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement.

Deadline:

The application deadline depends on the program and intake. Check Leiden University’s current scholarship deadline for your intended academic year.

Amount / Benefits:

The LExS is awarded for the duration of the master’s program across five award levels: €10,000, €15,000, €17,500, €18,500, or €19,000 off the tuition fee, depending on the applicant’s academic profile and the program applied to.

TU Delft Education Fellowship

The TU Delft Education Fellowship is a popular scholarship for international students in the Netherlands, particularly for those pursuing engineering, technology, and applied sciences.

Eligibility:

Outstanding non-EEA students applying to a TU Delft master’s program. Applicants are expected to be among the top graduates from their home institution.

Deadline:

The application deadline depends on the scholarship and academic intake.

Amount / Benefits:

Full tuition waiver + €30,000 per year living allowance.

University of Twente Scholarship (UTS)

The University of Twente Scholarship is offered by the University of Twente. The University of Twente Scholarship is available to eligible international students applying for selected master’s programs to attract talented non-EEA students for its master’s programs. It is a strong option for students interested in technology, engineering, business, and behavioral sciences.

Eligibility:

Non-EEA students applying to an eligible University of Twente master’s program. Must demonstrate strong academic performance, typically a GPA equivalent to a Dutch 7.0 or above.

Deadline:

February 1st for programs starting in September.

Amount / Benefits:

The University of Twente Scholarship ranges from €3,000 to €22,000 for one year. The university describes the award as financial support toward study-related costs. Students remain responsible for arranging payment of costs such as tuition fees themselves.

UM NL-High Potential Scholarship

The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is offered by Maastricht University to talented students from outside the EU/EEA who have been admitted to an eligible master’s program. It combines the NL Scholarship with Maastricht University’s High Potential Scholarship.

Eligibility:

Non-EEA students applying to an eligible master’s program at Maastricht University. Must have a strong academic record and meet the program’s admission requirements.

Deadline:

Deadlines vary by faculty and program.

Amount / Benefits:

A fully covered package including tuition fees, health insurance (€700), visa costs, and living expenses of €20,150 (13 months) or €38,750 (25 months).

Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

Amsterdam Merit Scholarship availability, eligibility, and award value depend on the UvA faculty and program. Students should therefore check the scholarship information for their specific master’s program rather than treating the award as a university-wide fixed scholarship.

Eligibility:

Non-EEA students applying to a full-time UvA master’s program. Must have outstanding academic results and a compelling motivation.

Deadline:

Deadlines vary by faculty and program. Check your chosen UvA program for the applicable scholarship deadline.

Amount / Benefits:

Scholarship availability and funding vary by faculty and program. Check the relevant faculty’s scholarship page for the current award amount.

Which Netherlands Scholarship Is Right for Your Study Level?

• Bachelor’s applicants: Start by checking the NL Scholarship and university-specific bachelor’s funding at your shortlisted institutions.
• Master’s applicants: Check the NL Scholarship, LExS, UTS, Maastricht scholarships, UvA faculty scholarships, and relevant university-specific awards.
• Students considering multiple European universities: Check Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters that include a Dutch institution in their consortium.
• Indian students: As India is outside the EEA, Indian applicants may be eligible for scholarships aimed at non-EEA students, including the NL Scholarship and selected university scholarships. Always check the specific program, nationality, admission, and scholarship requirements before applying.

How to Apply for Scholarships in the Netherlands

1. Shortlist your course and university. Check whether the program participates in the scholarship.
2. Review scholarship eligibility. Confirm nationality, degree, academic and English-language requirements.
3. Check whether admission is required first. Some university scholarships require you to apply for or secure program admission before scholarship consideration.
4. Prepare your documents. Gather all required academic, identification, language, and supporting documents before the scholarship deadline.
5. Submit before the scholarship-specific deadline. Do not assume the university admission and scholarship deadlines are the same.
6. Track your application. Monitor university emails and portals for additional document or interview requests.

Documents Required for Netherlands Scholarship Applications

Requirements vary by scholarship, but international students may commonly need:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Valid passport
• CV or résumé
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) or motivation letter
• Letters of recommendation
• IELTS, TOEFL, or other accepted English proficiency scores
• University admission or application details

Please refer to each scholarship program requirement, as some universities require extra academic and financial documents.

Some students may also want to explore scholarships without IELTS, but English-language requirements depend on the university and program.

Do Scholarships Cover the Full Cost of Studying in the Netherlands?

This is not always the case. Scholarships from the Netherlands could be for a lump sum payment only, and sometimes may consist of a considerable amount toward tuition and maintenance. Before accepting the offer, make sure to consider your tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, visa costs, transportation, and general maintenance.

If your scholarship does not cover the complete cost, you may need to combine personal funds with an education loan or another permitted funding source.

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Conclusion: Plan Your Netherlands Study Funding Early

Scholarships in The Netherlands may help to relieve the cost of studying abroad, although the extent of the scholarship, conditions for eligibility, how to apply for it, and deadline all differ greatly depending on the program. Begin with considering scholarships based on the level of study and nationality, then cross-check requirements from the primary source.

If a scholarship covers only part of your study expenses, Nomad Credit can help you explore study abroad funding options and understand education loan choices for your Netherlands education journey.

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