Closing Date: 1 February 2027
Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–2028: Fully Funded Master’s in the Netherlands
Are you an international student looking for a fully funded master’s scholarship in Europe? The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–2028 offers outstanding students from outside the European Union an opportunity to pursue an eligible master’s degree in the Netherlands with financial support covering tuition fees, living expenses, health and liability insurance, and visa costs.
Maastricht University offers 18 full scholarships each academic year through this programme. The scholarship combines the university’s High Potential Scholarship with the Dutch government’s NL Scholarship, making it a competitive opportunity for academically excellent students who need financial assistance.
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year are open from 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027. However, applicants must submit their complete master’s programme admission application by 10 December 2026.
About the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship
The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship supports talented international students who want to pursue a full-time master’s degree at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
The programme is intended for students with excellent academic records, demonstrated financial need and the potential to contribute positively to their communities. Scholarship recipients are also expected to act as university ambassadors during and after their studies.
The scholarship is highly competitive. According to Maastricht University, only around 2% of applicants receive an award, so meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
Scholarship Benefits and Financial Support
Successful applicants receive financial support for the duration of their eligible master’s programme. The scholarship lasts 13 months for a one-year master’s degree or 25 months for a two-year master’s degree.
The benefits include:
- Living expenses: €20,150 for a 13-month programme or €38,750 for a 25-month programme.
- Tuition fees: Covered in full for the eligible programme.
- Health and liability insurance: Arranged and paid for by the university.
- Visa application costs: Covered at cost.
- Pre-academic training: The costs of the mandatory programme are covered.
- International Student Ambassador Programme: Costs are covered for the first block.
The published living allowance is equivalent to €1,550 per month. The university also arranges accommodation, with a room allocated until 16 July 2028. Students on two-year programmes must arrange their own accommodation for the second year.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the scholarship conditions and the admission requirements of their chosen master’s programme.
The main eligibility requirements for 2027–2028 include:
- Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname.
- No EU/EEA or Swiss dual nationality: Applicants must not hold dual nationality from one of these areas.
- Age limit: Applicants must be no older than 35 on 1 September 2027.
- Academic excellence: Applicants need a recent grade-point average of at least 7.5 out of 10, or an equivalent result under their university’s grading system.
- Previous study in the Netherlands: Applicants must not have participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands. Previous exchange students may still apply.
- Master’s admission: Applicants must apply to an eligible full-time master’s programme and meet its admission requirements.
- Financial need and commitment: Applicants must explain their financial circumstances and agree to contribute to the university community as ambassadors.
Preference is given to candidates who have not yet obtained a master’s degree.
Not every master’s programme at Maastricht University qualifies. Check the official list of participating programmes before applying.
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare the following documents for the scholarship application:
- An up-to-date CV of no more than two A4 pages.
- A motivation letter using the university’s prescribed template.
- An official university transcript or document showing a GPA of at least 7.5 out of 10.
- An explanation of the grading system used by the previous university.
- A personal statement explaining financial need and circumstances.
- A reference letter from a former professor, lecturer or employer.
- Contact details for one referee, including an institutional email address and work telephone number.
Reference letters must follow the university’s guidelines and be dated no earlier than February 2026. Applicants should ensure all documents are complete because the scholarship application can only be submitted once.
How to Apply for the Maastricht University Scholarship
Follow these steps to apply:
Step 1: Choose a participating master’s programme for the 2027–2028 academic year.
Step 2: Apply for admission through the university’s designated admission process, including Studielink where required.
Step 3: Complete your master’s application and submit all required admission documents by 10 December 2026.
Step 4: Once you receive your Maastricht University student ID, log in to your UM account and complete the scholarship application form.
Step 5: Upload all required scholarship documents and submit your application before the scholarship deadline.
Step 6: If shortlisted, participate in the university’s online interview process.
The university expects to communicate final scholarship decisions by early May 2027 at the latest.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–2028 is 1 February 2027 at 23:59 Central European Time (CET).
However, the complete application for admission to the master’s programme must be submitted by 10 December 2026. Applicants should begin early to allow enough time to obtain transcripts, secure a suitable reference and prepare their financial-need statement
The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is a valuable opportunity for academically strong international students who need financial assistance to study in Europe. Since the selection process is extremely competitive, applicants should verify their eligibility carefully, prepare a strong application and submit all documents before the relevant deadlines.
