Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Fellowship Programme

What you get

If you are enrolled on an English-taught Master’s programme at Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam in the Netherlands, you will be awarded a full tuition-fee waiver based on your academic performance. The exemption applies for the duration of your Master’s programme, i.e. for one or two years. For a two-year programme, the exemption will only continue to apply in the second year if you earn 100% of the credit points required for the first year. When you apply, you will automatically be considered for the separate NL grant, a one-off contribution of 5,000 EUR to 10,000 EUR towards living costs in the first year. No separate application is required for this. The VU Amsterdam allocates around 1 million euros to the programme each year. The exemption applies only to tuition fees; you must therefore cover the costs of rent, food, insurance and other living expenses yourself.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You have been admitted (conditionally or unconditionally) to the first year of a full-time Master’s programme taught in English at VU Amsterdam, which begins in September 2027.
• Nationality: You hold a non-EU/non-EEA passport, are not a Dutch national and pay the higher tuition fees for non-EU/non-EEA students.
• Field of study: Any degree programme is eligible, provided that VU Amsterdam conducts the admissions procedure itself. Joint degree programmes for which it does not grant admission are excluded.
• Grades: Your grade point average corresponds to a Dutch 8, a high mark that very few applicants achieve.
• Prior degree: You did not obtain your qualifying qualification in the Netherlands, do not hold a degree from a Dutch higher education institution, and are not currently enrolled on a Dutch Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme.
• Start date: Your Master’s programme must start in September. If you are starting in February, you cannot apply.

How to apply

First, apply for a Master’s programme via Studielink (from 1 October 2026), ideally by 1 December 2026. You should then submit your VUFP application via your personal VU Dashboard by 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET. Selection is based on your academic achievements and your motivation. Your faculty will put forward candidates, and a central committee will make the final decision. There will be no interview, and you will receive a response around mid-March.

How realistic are your chances?

The academic requirements are high: a Dutch equivalent of 8 is rare, so only a few applicants meet the grade requirements on their own. If you can achieve this grade with ease, secure a place on a Master’s programme at VU Amsterdam and write a compelling personal statement, your prospects are good, as the scholarship is restricted to students from non-EU/non-EEA countries at a single university. Apply early to ensure your admission to the programme is confirmed before the February deadline.