Application Deadline: 15 February 2026
The Faculty of Science at KU Leuven, in collaboration with its alumni association Science@Leuven, is delighted to announce the opening of applications for the prestigious Science@Leuven Scholarships. These scholarships are designed to support highly motivated and gifted international students who wish to pursue a master's degree at KU Leuven in Belgium.
Eligible Master’s Programs for the Science@Leuven Scholarship
International candidates aiming to enroll in one of the Faculty of Science’s international master’s programs at KU Leuven are encouraged to apply for this scholarship opportunity. The following master’s degrees qualify for the Science@Leuven Scholarship:
- Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology
- Master of Biology
- Master of Chemistry
- Master of Geography
- Interuniversity Master of Geology – Only applicants specializing in Geodynamics and Georesources or Surface Processes and Paleoenvironments are eligible for the scholarship. Students applying for other specializations, which require enrollment at Ghent University, will not be considered. For more information, please Click here.
- Master of Mathematics
- Master of Physics
- Master of Statiscs and Data Science
- Master of Sustainable Development (ICP)
Please note: Candidates applying for the QASS programme within the Master of Statistics are not eligible for the Science@Leuven Scholarship since that programme requires an existing master's degree, which conflicts with the scholarship’s eligibility criteria. Also, if your desired program is not listed above, you should not apply for this scholarship as your application will not be considered.
Scholarship Details and Financial Support
The scholarship offers financial aid up to €12,000 for one academic year. The final amount awarded will be determined by the Science@Leuven Fund’s Board based on the evaluation of applicants. Even if you receive the maximum scholarship amount, it is advisable to budget additional funds for living expenses. For an overview of the cost of living in Belgium, please visit Here.
Most of the eligible master programmes span two years. Continuation of the scholarship into the second year is contingent upon the recipient achieving excellent academic results during their first year.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following conditions to qualify for the Science@Leuven Scholarship:
- Must be a new student with no prior study or work experience at KU Leuven.
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized non-Belgian university that grants access to the intended master’s programme.
- Must not possess any master's degree or PhD at the time of starting the KU Leuven programme.
- Should demonstrate outstanding academic performance in previous studies.
- Must aim to achieve at least a Distinction grade during their studies at KU Leuven.
- Need to provide evidence of a strong command of English through one of the following tests:
- TOEFL: minimum overall score of 94 (internet-based) with at least 19 in Reading, 18 in Listening, 19 in Speaking, and 21 in Writing.
- IELTS: minimum overall score of 7.0 with at least 6.5 in Reading, 6.0 in Listening, 6.0 in Speaking, and 6.0 in Writing.
- Cambridge English Advanced or Proficiency Certificates: minimum score of 185, including at least 176 in Reading and 169 in Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
- Must exhibit strong motivation to pursue the master's programme at the Faculty of Science.
- Required to submit two reference letters from internationally recognized professors.
- Should be willing to serve as ambassadors for the KU Leuven master programme and the Science@Leuven initiative.
Application Process
To apply for the Science@Leuven Scholarship, follow these steps:
- Submit your application for the master’s programme of your choice through KU Leuven’s official application portal. Be sure to carefully review the application instructions.
- Upload the following documents via the KU Leuven admissions system:
- A detailed transcript of records listing all courses completed with credits (ECTS) and grades. If your grading scale differs, please provide an explanatory note.
- A concise description (approximately half a page) of the most relevant courses from your prior studies that prepare you for the chosen master’s program, structured according to ECTS study guide standards (see an example).
- Two recommendation letters from internationally reputed professors. These can be uploaded directly within the admissions tool or sent by referees via email to Miss Bieke Dutoit. Please ensure the candidate’s name and “Science@Leuven Scholarship” are mentioned in the email subject line.
- A letter of motivation detailing your reasons for applying to the master’s programme.
- After submitting your master’s programme application, you will receive a confirmation email indicating successful submission.
- Apply separately for the Science@Leuven Scholarship by submitting your application through this link. You must upload the confirmation email from your master’s programme application as part of your scholarship application.
- Your scholarship registration is considered complete only once you receive a confirmation email from KU Leuven acknowledging your Science@Leuven Scholarship application.
For further details or to start your application, please Click Here To Apply.
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