Maastricht University - Maastricht University High Potential Scholarship

What you get

You will receive full scholarship of 1,550 EUR per month to cover your living costs. The grant runs for 13 months (for a one-year Master’s programme) or 25 months (for a two-year Master’s programme). In addition to the monthly payments, the scholarship covers your full tuition fees, your health and personal liability insurance (approx. 700 EUR), your visa costs and a compulsory two-week preparatory programme before the start of your studies. Accommodation will be arranged for you at the start; if you are undertaking a two-year Master’s programme, you will need to find your own accommodation in the second year. Maastricht University awards 18 of these scholarships each year; they are funded by the university’s scholarship fund and the Dutch Ministry of Education. Airfares are not included.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled on a full-time Master’s programme at Maastricht University in the Netherlands in one of the participating degree programmes.
• Degree level: You are applying for a Master’s degree programme. Preference will be given to applicants who do not yet hold a Master’s degree.
• Nationality: You are a national of a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland or Suriname and do not also hold an EU/EEA or Swiss passport. You must meet the requirements for a Dutch student visa and a residence permit.
• New to the Netherlands: You have never completed a full degree programme in the Netherlands. A previous exchange visit there is acceptable.
• Age: On 1 September 2027, you will be no older than 35.
• Grades: Your current school report shows an average mark of at least 7.5 out of 10 (approximately 75% or the equivalent).
• Field of study: Any subject, provided your degree programme is on the list of participating degree programmes.
• Ambassador role: You agree to talk about your experiences to students or other people in at least one event, both during and after your studies.

How to apply

First, apply via Studielink for a participating Master’s programme by 10 December 2026. This will give you a UM student account. You should then submit the separate online scholarship application between 1 October 2026 and 1 February 2027 (23:59 CET). Selected applicants will be invited to an online interview towards the end of March. All applicants will receive a response in April or early May.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is highly sought-after: according to the university, only around 2% of the applicants receive one of the 18 scholarships. If you achieve the minimum mark of 7.5 out of 10, you will have cleared the first hurdle; however, the selection process will take into account your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community involvement and financial need, all of which will be weighed up together. A compelling, well-supported application that covers all these aspects and is submitted well before the deadline gives you the best chance of success.