Apply For Utrecht Excellence Scholarships 2025

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES) is sponsored by Utrecht University in the Netherlands. It is a highly selective program for talented international students from outside the European Union Economic Area who wish to undertake a master’s degree program at a higher institution.

Utrecht University is a high-standing research institute established in 1636, making it one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands. In 2023, it had an enrollment of 39,769 students. The UES scheme, which offers fully funded support to students, currently accepts applications from interested and qualified candidates for a master’s program at Utrecht University.

Eligibility Criteria

For an applicant to be eligible for a Utrecht Excellence Scholarship, you must:

• Belong to the top 10% of your graduating class.
• Not hold an EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for support under the Dutch study grant and loan system.
• Have completed secondary school and/or a bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands.
• Have applied for an international master’s program starting September 1, 2025.

Tuition Fees

At Utrecht University, there are two types of tuition fees: the institutional tuition fee – which usually applies to international students, and the statutory tuition fee. Depending on your situation, one of the two fees applies to you.

However, international student tuition fees at Netherlands universities range from €16,000 to €18,500. Some Masters degrees for foreigners in the country cost less than €18,500, while others cost as high as 27,000 EUR per year.

Kindly note that as a non-EU/EEA student, you are eligible for the statutory fee if you:

• Receive a UAF grant (for refugee students in the Netherlands), or if you.
• Meet the nationality requirement for a government study grant from DUO.

Eligible Courses

• Arts and Culture
• Biomedical Science
• Criminology
• History
• History of Art and Film
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Media
• Music
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Social Science
• Sociology

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients can be awarded the grant as a tuition fee or the tuition fee and the income required for one year linked to a residence permit for study as determined by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). The Utrecht Excellence Netherlands Scholarship covers the candidate’s tuition and living expenses. The scholarship can be renewed for the second year of a two-year master’s program.

The sum comes from the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Fund, established by Utrecht University, and contributions from Utrecht University alumni. The UES also offers undergraduate scholarships ranging from €5,000 to €17,000 annually.

Application Procedure

Step 1: Apply for admission to a master’s program.

Step 2: After submitting an application (or applications) for a UES-eligible master’s program before the stated deadline, non-EU/EEA students can submit an application for one Utrecht Excellence Scholarship from November 1, 2024.

Step 3: You will see the UES application(s) in your OSIRIS Online Application account dashboard.

Step 4: Click view/edit for the UES linked (related process) to the program you wish to apply for, upload the requested proof of belonging to the top 10% of your class, answer the questions, and submit the application.

Deadline/Expiration: February 1, 2025

Find other scholarship programs currently open for application