Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Masters
- Participation costs including tuition
- Monthly living allowance (€1,400/month)
- Travel and installation costs
Deadline: January–March (varies by programme)
🇳🇱
Europe
Scholarships in Netherlands for International Students
2 verified scholarships · 1 fully funded · Including Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, Holland Scholarship
Netherlands is a top study destination renowned for its centuries-old academic traditions, affordable tuition programs, and rich cultural diversity. We've compiled 2 scholarship opportunities — including 1 fully funded programs — to help international students fund their education in Netherlands in 2026.
2
Total Scholarships
1
Fully Funded
2
Degree Levels
2
Open to All Nations
All Scholarships in Netherlands
Holland Scholarship
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Undergraduate
- €5,000 one-time grant (first year)
Deadline: February 1 (most universities)
Why Study in Netherlands?
The Netherlands runs more English-taught programmes per capita than any other non-English-speaking country: over 2,100 programmes are delivered in English, and most Dutch graduates speak English fluently. Dutch universities are research-intensive, internationally minded, and grouped tightly in global rankings: 13 of the country's 14 research universities sit in the global top 200. Tuition for non-EU students is moderate (€8,000–€20,000/year at most institutions), and the country's compact size, cycling infrastructure, and strong post-study orientation year make it especially welcoming to international Master's students.
Top Universities in Netherlands for International Students
These universities anchor the country's scholarship pipeline and are routinely the destination institutions for the funded programmes listed above.
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Delft
Engineering, architecture, aerospace
University of Amsterdam (UvA)
Amsterdam
Social sciences, business, humanities
Utrecht University
Utrecht
Veterinary medicine, life sciences, geosciences
Leiden University
Leiden
Law, history, area studies (oldest Dutch university)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Business (Rotterdam School of Management), economics, public administration
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
Eindhoven
Electrical engineering, data science, industrial design
University of Groningen
Groningen
Astronomy, theology, chemistry
Wageningen University
Wageningen
Agriculture, food sciences, environment (world #1 in agronomy)
Tuition and Cost of Living in Netherlands
Fully funded scholarships normally cover both tuition and a monthly living allowance, but knowing the underlying costs helps you choose between full and partial funding offers.
Annual Tuition (Self-Funded Rate)
- Undergraduate
- €8,000–€20,000 per year (non-EU)
- Master's
- €10,000–€25,000 per year (non-EU); MBA programmes €40k+
- PhD
- Salaried position (~€2,400/month gross starting); PhDs are employees, not students
EU/EEA students pay the statutory rate of €2,530/year. Holland Scholarship gives non-EU students a one-time €5,000 grant toward first-year costs.
Monthly Living Budget (€1,000–€1,500)
- Rent
- €450–€800 (Amsterdam easily €700–€1,000; Groningen and Enschede cheapest)
- Food
- €220–€300
- Transport
- €30–€90 (student OV-chipkaart is heavily subsidised for Dutch nationals; international students pay full price)
Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam are the most expensive cities. Enschede, Groningen, Maastricht, and Leiden are 25–35% more affordable for housing.
Student Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Pathway
Visa rules and post-graduation work rights vary dramatically between destinations — for many applicants they matter as much as the scholarship itself.
Residence Permit for Study (MVV + VVR)
- Visa Fee
- €243 (combined entry visa + residence permit)
- Processing Time
- 2–4 weeks through your Dutch university (universities act as recognised sponsors)
- Financial Proof Required
- €14,304/year (2024) deposited into a Dutch bank account or held by your university
- Health Insurance
- Required: students who work in NL must take Dutch public insurance (~€140/month); others can use international student insurance (~€500/year)
- Work While Studying
- 16 hours/week during term or full-time during June–August; same conditions as Dutch students if you take a part-time job
Post-Study Work Rights
Zoekjaar (Orientation Year) gives you 1 year of unrestricted work rights after graduation. After finding a skilled job paying €2,793/month (under-30 graduate rate, 2024), you can switch to a Knowledge Migrant residence permit and apply for permanent residence after 5 years.
English Language Requirements
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 is standard; TU Delft, Erasmus, and Amsterdam programmes frequently want 7.0+. TOEFL iBT 90 (TU Delft) to 100 (Erasmus MBA) is also accepted. Many universities accept Cambridge C1/C2 certificates.
Application Timeline for Netherlands Scholarships
Most scholarship deadlines are 8–14 months before the programme start date. Backwards-plan from your target intake to avoid missing key dates.
- 1
12 months before
Search programmes on StudyinNL.org; verify English requirements and tuition.
- 2
10–11 months before
Take IELTS/TOEFL; prepare transcripts and motivation letter.
- 3
8–10 months before
Apply via Studielink (most deadlines: January 15 for September intake).
- 4
6–8 months before
Apply for Holland Scholarship, Orange Tulip, and university-specific funds.
- 5
3–5 months before
Receive admission, apply for MVV through your university, book accommodation (start early — Dutch housing is tight).
How to Win a Scholarship in Netherlands
Dutch scholarships are decentralised — the Holland Scholarship (€5,000 one-time) is the most accessible non-EU award, applied for directly through your chosen university by its internal deadline. Orange Tulip Scholarship is country-specific (administered by Nuffic Neso offices in 14+ countries) and bundles tuition discounts with university support. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters consortia hosted by Dutch universities offer the most substantial funding (€1,400/month + tuition + travel) but are EU-administered. PhD students in the Netherlands are paid employees, so the relevant question is whether the supervisor has funded a position rather than whether scholarships exist. Housing is the hardest practical challenge — secure accommodation through your university the moment your offer arrives, not after.
Netherlands Scholarships at a Glance
- PhD students in the Netherlands are paid employees (gross €2,400/month starting) — not on stipends.
- Over 2,100 English-taught programmes are offered across Dutch institutions.
- TU Delft is consistently ranked among the world's top 3 engineering universities.
- Holland Scholarship is non-renewable and applies only to first-year tuition.
Scholarships in Netherlands by Student Nationality
Find scholarships in Netherlands tailored to students from your home country. Select your nationality to see specific opportunities and eligibility requirements.
🇵🇰 Pakistani Students 🇮🇳 Indian Students 🇳🇬 Nigerian Students 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Students 🇰🇪 Kenyan Students 🇬🇭 Ghanaian Students 🇵🇭 Filipino Students 🇪🇬 Egyptian Students 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Students 🇳🇵 Nepali Students 🇻🇳 Vietnamese Students 🇮🇩 Indonesian Students 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Students 🇹🇿 Tanzanian Students 🇺🇬 Ugandan Students
Explore Other Study Destinations
Considering other countries? Browse scholarships in these popular study destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in Netherlands
Yes, Netherlands offers several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes even travel costs. Government-sponsored programs and university-specific awards provide comprehensive funding for international students at all degree levels.
Competition varies by program. Prestigious government scholarships tend to be highly competitive with acceptance rates under 5%, while university-specific funding and partial scholarships are more accessible. Starting your application early and maintaining strong academic credentials significantly improves your chances.
Most English-taught programs require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100) scores. Many European universities also offer programs in the local language, with preparatory language courses included in some scholarship packages.
Start researching and preparing at least 12–18 months before your intended start date. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and March for programs starting the following September. Early preparation gives you time to gather recommendation letters, write strong personal statements, and take standardized tests.
Most student visa categories in Netherlands allow part-time work during term time (typically 15–20 hours per week) and full-time work during holidays. However, many fully funded scholarships provide sufficient living allowances, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.
TheScholarSphere currently lists 2 scholarship programs in Netherlands for the 2026 academic year, ranging from fully funded government scholarships to partial university grants. New opportunities are added regularly, so subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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