Utrecht University Master's Degree Scholarships for International Students - Full Tuition Fee Covered

Are you looking for a full scholarship to fund your studies in the Netherlands? Utrecht University is offering the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES) for international students with an exceptional academic background keen to pursue a Master's Degree of one to two years at the university. The scholarship is a prestigious one that is provided by the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Fund established by Utrecht University with contributions from the university's alumni. Scholarship awardees will be selected through an evaluation process which includes an appraisal of the applicant's academic background, the application's quality and gauging the applicant's potential in the field of study.

Utrecht University Master's Programs

The Master's Programme is of one or two years duration in the streams of Arts, Science, and Law. On completing the programme, the student is awarded a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MSc) or a Master of Laws (LLM) degree, as applicable, which are internationally recognized. The medium of instruction is English for most programmes and teaching is linked to research with students expected to participate in discussions and express their views.

Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Features

An applicant cannot apply for more than one UES. The full tuition fee of the Master's degree programme is covered. An option is to be awarded the scholarship award as the tuition fee + the income required for one year linked to a residence permit for study as determined by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).

The scholarship awardee can get a renewal for the second year of the two-year master’s programme.

Who can apply for UES-2025?

Talented international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), that is outside the EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, who are keen to pursue a Master’s degree at Utrecht University and are in the top 10% of their graduation class can apply for the 2025 Utrecht Excellence Scholarship programme.

Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant should be a non-EU/EEA citizen
• The applicant should not be eligible for support under the Dutch study grant and loan system
• The applicant should have completed secondary school and/or bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands.
• The applicant must have applied for an international Master’s programme which starts on 1st September 2025. Applicants are advised to check the official website to know the list of Master's programmes for which the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is applicable.
• The applicant should have excellent academic credentials, with a place in the top 10% of the graduating class.

Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Application Procedure

Applicants should first submit an online application for a UES-eligible Master’s programme, selecting one that is properly considered as per academic interest and a future career. Do not wait for the nth hour just before the scholarship application deadline! 

Then submit an application for one Utrecht Excellence Scholarship from 1st November 2024. The page to see the UES application will be accessible in the OSIRIS Online Application account dashboard. The applicant has to click on the 'view/edit' button for the UES linked to the programme she/he wishes to apply for, and then upload the relevant document as supporting proof of belonging to the top 10% of the graduating class. Next, answer the questions and submit the application. Ensure that all the details filled in the application are accurate. Inconsistent, inaccurate and incomplete applications will be rejected.

Documents Required

• To support finishing in the top 10% of the graduating class, the applicant can upload these official transcripts- the class ranking certificate, GPA with grade distribution summary, and the statement/reference letter signed and stamped by your university.
• A motivation letter.
• A Statement of Purpose (SOP).

Important dates

• Interested students can attend the online Master's Open Day on 9th October, from 4 p.m. to 8.45p.m. (CEST) to find out which programme is suitable for their career goals.
• The closing date for applications is 1st February, 23:59 Central European Time (CET). 
• The process to select eligible applicants for the scholarship will begin after the closing date to submit applications.
• The university will likely publish the results by mid-April.

Campus Address 

Utrecht University - Heidelberglaan 8, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands 

Ph: +31 (0)30 253 35 50 

Contact Information

You can send queries to study@uu.nl

For inquiries on upcoming Master's Open Days or other information events, send a WhatsApp message on 0641634378 (Monday to Friday: 9.00 - 17.00) / Call on (030) 253 2670 (Monday to Friday 10.00-12.00 & 14.00-15.00)

For more information visit the University Scholarship Portal