About the opportunity
The Maastricht University (UM) NL-High Potential Scholarship programme offers 18 full scholarships each academic year for highly talented students from outside the European Union (EU) and EEA who have been admitted to a participating master’s programme at Maastricht University. The scheme combines the High Potential Scholarship, funded by the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund, and the NL Scholarship, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in conjunction with Dutch universities. It is designed to support international students pursuing a full degree programme in the Netherlands through comprehensive financial support, a mandatory pre-academic training programme, and accommodations.
Funding and benefits
- Full tuition fee waiver paid at cost
- Monthly stipend for living expenses amounting to €20,150 for 13-month programmes or €38,750 for 25-month programmes
- Health and liability insurance arranged and paid for at €700
- Visa application costs covered at cost
- Pre-academic training costs covered at cost
- International Student Ambassador Programme (ISAP) costs covered for the first block
- Mandatory housing allocated until 16 July 2028 for the first year
Who can apply?
- Hold nationality in a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or Suriname, and meet entry visa and residence permit requirements for the Netherlands
- Do not hold dual nationality from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland
- Applied for admission to a participating full-time master's programme at Maastricht University for the 2027-2028 academic year and submitted the complete application file by 10 December 2026
- Meet specific admission requirements of the chosen master's programme
- Have never participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands (exchange programmes are permitted)
- Preference given to candidates who have not yet obtained a master's degree
- Not older than 35 years of age on 1 September 2027
- Obtained prior education results demonstrating a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 or higher (or equivalent, such as 75% or 3 out of 4)
- Agree to become an active UM NL High Potential and UM ambassador during and after studies by participating in at least one information session
Required documents
- Curriculum vitae (maximum two A4 pages, including relevant education and experience, awards, and prizes)
- Letter of motivation using the official template focused on scholarship motivation
- Proof of academic excellence, including university transcripts showing a GPA of 7.5 or higher
- A document explaining the grading system of the home university
- Personal statement of financial needs explaining personal circumstances
- A reference letter from a former professor, lecturer, or employer dated no earlier than February 2026
- Contact details of one referee including work telephone number and institutional email address
When to apply
- Applications open on 1 October 2026
- Master's programme application and complete admission file deadline is 10 December 2026
- Scholarship application form deadline is 1 February 2027 at 23:59 hrs
How to apply
- Apply for a participating master's programme at Maastricht University via Studielink to obtain a student ID number
- Pay any required programme handling fees by 10 December 2026
- Log in to the online application portal using your UM account and fill out the scholarship application form
- Upload all required documents in .doc, .docx, or PDF format before submitting
- Sign and return the award letter to accept the scholarship if selected
Additional information
- Accepting the scholarship means accepting the allocated room; refusing the room results in cancellation of the scholarship
- Air tickets to the Netherlands are not included and must be paid by the candidate
- A cleaning fee of approximately €75 is not included and must be paid to Maastricht Housing upfront
- The scholarship is highly competitive with an approximate 2% success rate
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Exceptional academic achievers with a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 or higher who seek full financial coverage for a master's degree in the Netherlands
- International applicants from non-EU/EEA regions looking for structured support, including housing allocation and pre-academic training
- Candidates eager to engage in Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and willing to act as institutional student ambassadors
What should you think carefully about?
- Extremely competitive selection process with an approximate 2% acceptance rate, making admission and award highly uncertain
- Mandatory acceptance of the university-allocated room for the first year, which is unsuitable for partners, spouses, children, or pets
- Air travel costs and upfront cleaning fees are not covered by the financial package and must be self-funded
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This scholarship offers a comprehensive pathway for ambitious international students aiming to complete a funded master's degree at a research-intensive European university using Problem-Based Learning. It is well-suited for individuals seeking rigorous academic training combined with cross-cultural collaboration and ambassadorial engagement.
Our take
Candidates who meet the strict GPA threshold, require full financial support to study in Europe, and are prepared for a highly competitive selection process should apply. Those with families or pets should carefully consider the mandatory housing constraints before committing.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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