Overview
The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is available for all full-time Master’s degree programs .
Description
The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is available for all full-time Master’s degree programs .
Eligibility
To be eligible for this scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Non-EU/EEA nationality: Applicants must not hold an EU/EEA, Swiss, or Surinamese nationality.
Entry visa requirements: Applicants must meet the criteria for obtaining an entry visa (MVV) and a residence permit for the Netherlands.
Application for a UM Master’s Program: Students must have applied for a full-time master’s program at Maastricht University for the 2025-2026 academic year.
No previous degree-seeking education in the Netherlands: Students who have completed exchange programs in the Netherlands are eligible, but those who have pursued a full degree in the Netherlands are not.
Age limit: Candidates should not be older than 35 years of age by September 1, 2026.
Academic excellence: Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic performance with a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 or higher.
Single application submission: Ensure that all documents are correctly submitted as the application can only be submitted once.
Additional Information
Degree Level
The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is available for all full-time Master’s degree programs .
Available Subjects
The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is available for all full-time Master’s degree programs at Maastricht University that participate in the scheme. Eligible fields include:
Business and Economics
Arts and Social Sciences
Law and International Relations
Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences
Psychology and Neuroscience
Science and Engineering
Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Sustainability Studies
Duration:
13 months for a one-year Master’s program
25 months for a two-year Master’s program
All programs begin in September 2026.
Benefits
The scholarship covers: Living expenses: €15,925 (for 13 months) or €30,625 (for 25 months). Health & liability insurance: €700. Visa application costs: Covered by the UM International Services Desk. Tuition fees: Covered in full. Pre-Academic Training costs: Covered by the UM International Services Desk. Note: Scholarship recipients are provided with accommodation, which is mandatory to accept. However, it is not suitable for partners or children.
Eligible Nationalities
This scholarship is open to international students of all nationalities. (except EU/EEA, Swiss, or Surinamese nationality)
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Non-EU/EEA nationality: Applicants must not hold an EU/EEA, Swiss, or Surinamese nationality.
Entry visa requirements: Applicants must meet the criteria for obtaining an entry visa (MVV) and a residence permit for the Netherlands.
Application for a UM Master’s Program: Students must have applied for a full-time master’s program at Maastricht University for the 2025-2026 academic year.
No previous degree-seeking education in the Netherlands: Students who have completed exchange programs in the Netherlands are eligible, but those who have pursued a full degree in the Netherlands are not.
Age limit: Candidates should not be older than 35 years of age by September 1, 2026.
Academic excellence: Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic performance with a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 or higher.
Single application submission: Ensure that all documents are correctly submitted as the application can only be submitted once.
Application Procedure
The application process for the 2026–2027 Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship consists of two main steps:
Step 1: Apply for Admission to a Master’s Program
Apply for one of the eligible Master’s programs at Maastricht University via Studielink.nl before 8 December 2025 .
After applying, you’ll receive a student ID number, required to complete the scholarship application.
Step 2: Apply for the Scholarship
Complete the online scholarship application form using your UM account.
Upload the required documents (in PDF or DOC format):
Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
Motivation letter (using the UM template)
Proof of academic excellence (latest transcript + grade system explanation)
Personal statement of financial need
Reference letter (from professor, lecturer, or employer; dated after February 2025)
Referee contact details (with work email and phone number)
Application deadline: 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)
The application portal opens on 1 October 2025.
Selection Procedure
February 2026: UM checks if all applications are complete.
March 2026: Faculties shortlist and rank their top 5 candidates.
Late March 2026: Shortlisted applicants are invited for online interviews.
April–May 2026: Final results are announced (selected, waitlisted, or rejected).
August 2026: Selected students participate in the mandatory Pre-Academic Training program before the start of their studies.
Please note that the UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is highly competitive — only about 2% of applicants are awarded the scholarship each year.
Why Apply For The Um Nl High Potential Scholarship 2026 2027
Study at one of Europe’s top international universities.
Receive €34,000 in full financial support.
Join a global academic community in a world-class research environment.
Gain access to career-building networks and professional training.
Experience life and study in the heart of Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Can I apply if I have studied in the Netherlands before? No, only students who have never completed a degree-seeking program in the Netherlands are eligible. However, former exchange students may apply.
What GPA do I need to qualify? A minimum GPA of 7.5 out of 10 (equivalent to 75% or 3.0/4.0) is required for eligibility.
Does the scholarship cover airfare or family expenses? No, airfare and family expenses are not covered. The scholarship only supports the selected student.
What happens if I refuse the provided accommodation? Refusing the accommodation offered by UM will lead to cancellation of the scholarship, as accepting the room is mandatory.
How competitive is the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship? Extremely competitive — only around 2% of applicants receive the scholarship each year.
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Card
Funding
Fully Funded
Organization
Maastricht University
Degree
Masters
Subjects
All Subjects
Nationality
International Students
Country
Netherlands
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.