Scholarships for incoming Master's students

Scholarships offered by VU Amsterdam

• VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP)

  The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) offers talented prospective non- EU/ EEA students the unique opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. VU Amsterdam has committed to providing approximately 1 million euros towards attracting highly motivated and excellent students. 

  Eligible candidates  

  • You hold a non- EU/ EEA passport and you are not eligible for the lower tuition fee.
  • You do not have the Dutch nationality.
  • You can prove your academic excellence (GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8).
  • You are conditionally or unconditionally admitted to the first year of a full-time English-taught Master’s programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam starting per September 2025. Please note that:
    • students starting in February cannot apply,
    • joint programmes where VU Amsterdam does not administer the admission process are excluded from VUFP.
  • The degree with which you are seeking admission has not been obtained in the Netherlands.
  • You do not need to complete a preparatory programme before the start of your Master.

   Information about GPA requirements

  We base our grade conversion on data collected by expert institutions, such as ECCTIS (UK). The comparison between the Dutch and foreign grade is based on grade distribution statistics, so how often a certain grade is given. This methodology ensures that a student who is successful in one country will be regarded as equally successful in another country. This way, we ensure all applications are treated fairly and equally. It is important to realize that grade comparison is not as simple as calculating that the grade 8 out of 10 is equivalent to, for example 80%, 16/20 or 3.2/4.

  Furthermore, a grade 8 or higher is considered a very high and therefore a quite rare grade in the Netherlands, as a result of Dutch grading culture. This means that only a small portion of students will graduate with a GPA of at least an 8 out of 10. Thus, when we compare Dutch grades to foreign grades, only a small portion of the distribution of foreign grades qualifies for the minimum GPA requirement to apply for the VUFP Scholarship. Moreover, meeting the minimum GPA requirement is only a minimum that should be reached so we accept and process your application, and is by no means a guarantee to actually be offered the VUFP Scholarship. The total score used to rank all applicants is based on several factors, of which GPA is only one. 

  Other factors (such as your motivation for this university/specific programme, future ambitions, extracurricular activities, etc. – please see the application form for more detail) also play a significant part in the scoring process. In addition, as we can offer only a small number of scholarships to a large number of applicants, only a very small percentage of all VUFP Scholarship applicants are offered this scholarship in the end.

   VUFP and 2 year programmes

  The VUFP scholarship can be granted for a one or two-year Master’s programme. The scholarship will only be extended for the second year of a two-year Master’s programme if 100% of the ECTS of the first year have been achieved.

  Students already enrolled in a two-year Master’s programme who have not been awarded the VUFP scholarship in 2024/2025 are not eligible to apply for the VUFP scholarship for 2025/2026.

  Scholarship amount 

  The VUFP scholarship covers the tuition fees only. It does not provide any additional allowance towards study or living costs, like rent, food, insurances. Be aware that you must be able to finance these living expenses by yourself.

  Combining the VUFP with the NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship Programme)

  When applying for the VUFP scholarship, you automatically also apply for the NL Scholarship (formerly HSP). No separate application is necessary. 

  NL Scholarship is a contribution towards the costs of living. It is €5,000 EUR or €10,000 for the entire duration of your study period. Please note:

  • The NL Scholarship is awarded only for the first year of your study programme. You will not receive the NL Scholarship for the second year of your studies even if you are following a two-year study programme.
  • We have around 20- 25 NLS scholarships available. Only a few of the VUFP awardees will get the NL Scholarship.

  Application procedure

  Step 1: Register for a Master’s programme (from 1 October 2024)  
  Register for a Master's programme in Studielink and after that in your personal dashboard on vu.nl. Here you can find more information on how to apply for one of our English-taught Master’s programmes. Please note that you must have been already conditionally admitted to the Master’s programme before you can apply for the VUFP scholarship.
  Advised deadline Master's programme application: 1 December 2024

  It is essential that you submit your programme application in time if you wish to apply for the scholarships. Realistically, you should aim to submit your programme application no later than 1 December. And if your programme’s admission procedure includes an intake/assessment, we advise you to submit your complete programme application even earlier.
  
  Step 2: Submit VUFP application (from 1 November 2024)
  Submit your VUFP application in your personal VU dashboard. 

  Please note that you can apply for the VUFP only for one master programme! This means that if you apply for several master degrees, when submitting your VUFP application you must choose for which master programme you wish to do so. 

  Deadline VUFP application: 1 February 2025 (23:59 CET)

  To apply please fill out the VUFP-NLS application form and at the end of it paste the GPA proof/ programme transcript and a grading scale explanation. Once done, save it as a one file in .PDF format and upload it in the Scholarship section of your personal dashboard on vu.nl (located on the Complete Registration page).

  Answer all questions and include the GPA proof/ programme transcript. Not answering one or more questions or not including the GPA proof/ programme transcript will result in your application being considered incomplete.

  Please note that you can submit your application only once. Make sure to double check if your application is complete and sufficient before submitting it. You will not be allowed to submit it again!

  Extra information regarding proof of excellence (programme transcript or a GPA proof) and a grading scale
  Please upload the transcript and grading scale of your bachelor’s degree with a clear explanation of the GPA calculation. Excellence in previous (bachelor) education is proven if the grade point average achieved is at least equivalent to the Dutch grade of an 8.0 on the Dutch grading scale 1 – 10. 

  You do not need to convert your grades to the Dutch ones. The VUFP Scholarship Committee will do that by deciding on the local grade equivalents for the Dutch grade of an 8.0.

  Please note:

  • Even if you have already completed a Master’s degree, for VUFP application purposes, we will look only at your GPA from your bachelor’s degree. This is to ensure that all applicants have a fair chance.
  • If you haven’t yet officially graduated, please provide us with the GPA proof/ programme transcript showing your most up- to- date grades.

  Step 3: Decision
  The Central VUFP Committee decides which students will be offered a VUFP scholarship. All VUFP applications received by 1 February 2025 (23:59 CET) will be reviewed by the faculty of the applied for Master’s programme. Faculties will then nominate applicants to the Central Scholarship Committee, which will subsequently award scholarships to the most talented students. The results will be based on the academic performance and motivation.
  
  Step 4: Results
  All students will receive an e-mail/ notification informing them of the Central Scholarship Committee’s decision concerning their application. Expected date: mid-March 2025 (6 weeks after the deadline).
  
  Step 5: Acceptance of VUFP or NL Scholarship offer
  Selected candidates accept/decline the VUFP and NL Scholarship offer in their personal VU dashboard. Deadline: end of March 2025 (2 weeks after the results have been published).

  Kindly note the following:

  • You can accept/decline the offer in your personal VU dashboard on vu.nl.
  • If you do not take action within 2 weeks after receiving the results, the offer will be withdrawn.
  • There are fewer NL scholarships than VUFP. This means that not all VUFP recipients will receive NL Scholarship.
  • If you have not been awarded VUFP, you also have not been awarded NL Scholarship.
  • A scholarship granted for one academic year cannot be postponed to another academic year.

  VUFP and Semester in Amsterdam

  One VUFP scholarship will be reserved for an applicant who previously completed a semester or full academic year abroad at VU Amsterdam via the Semester in Amsterdam programme and who is now applying for a full-time Master's programme at VU Amsterdam. If you are applying as a Semester in Amsterdam alumnus or alumna, please complete the regular application procedure and then email semesterinamsterdam@vu.nl to inform the staff that you applied for a VUFP scholarship. 

  Conditions VUFP Scholarship Programme

  The conditions for the VUFP Scholarship Programme can be found here.

  Current VUFP scholars

  VUFP scholars enrolled in a two year Master’s programme do not need to re-apply for the VUFP scholarship for the second year. Their VUFP will be extended for the second year if they have obtained 100% of the ECTS of the first year. We will email you around July- August to let you know if your scholarship will be extended or not. If you have not obtained 100% of the required ECTS due to circumstances outside of your control, please contact us as soon as possible. 

  Complaint procedure

  If you do not agree with the decision of the Scholarship Committee, you may file a written complaint to scholarships.incoming@vu.nl Complaints regarding the application procedure (not the results!) should be addressed to the student ombudsman by e-mail and must include:

  • Your name and full address.
  • Details of the selection procedure that you do not agree with.
  • The grounds for complaint: why are you unable to accept the selection procedure?
  • Date and signature.

  For pressing questions regarding the VUFP scholarship, please email: scholarships.incoming@vu.nl.
  The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) is financially supported by VUvereniging: a social network of people who are connected to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

• NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship Programme)

  The NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship Programme) is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Dutch research universities, and universities of applied sciences. Students eligible for this scholarship are students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who are applying for the first year of a Master’s programme in the Netherlands. Students from Suriname and Switzerland are not eligible to apply for the NL Scholarship. This is because they pay the lower (statutory) tuition fee.

  Scholarship amount

  NL Scholarship is a contribution towards the costs of living. It is €5,000 or €10,000 for the entire duration of your study period. Please note:

  • The NL Scholarship is awarded only for the first year of your study programme. You will not receive the NL Scholarship for the second year of your studies even if you are following a two-year study programme.
  • We  have around 20- 25 NL Scholarships available. Only a few of the VUFP awardees will get the NL Scholarship.

  Application criteria

  When applying for the VUFP scholarship, you automatically apply also for the NL Scholarship. No separate application is necessary. Eligibility criteria for the NL Scholarship are the same as for the VUFP.

  Application procedure

  1. Follow the VUFP scholarship application (from 1 November 2024)
  Please follow the VUFP application process as described above. 

  Deadline: 1 February 2025 (23:59 CET)
  
  2. Decision
  The Central Scholarship Committee decides which students will be offered NL Scholarship.
  
  3. Results
  All students will receive an e-mail/ notification informing them of the Central Scholarship Committee’s decision concerning their application. 

  Expected date: mid-March 2025 (6 weeks after the deadline).
  
  4. Acceptance of NL Scholarship offer
  Selected candidates accept/decline the NL Scholarship offer in their personal VU dashboard. 

  Deadline: end of March 2025 (2 weeks after the results have been published).

  Kindly note the following:

  - You can accept/decline the offer in your personal VU dashboard on vu.nl.

  - If you do not take action within 2 weeks after receiving the results, the offer will be withdrawn.

  - There are fewer NL Scholarships than VUFP. This means that not all VUFP recipients will receive NL Scholarship.

  - If you have not been awarded VUFP, you also have not been awarded NL Scholarship.

  - A scholarship granted for one academic year cannot be postponed to another academic year.

  Conditions NL Scholarship

  The conditions for the NL Scholarship can be found here.

  Contact

  For any further questions please contact us through: scholarships.incoming@vu.nl

  The NL Scholarship is financially supported by VUvereniging: a social network of people who are connected to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

• Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS)

  This scholarship is no longer available.

• Fulbright scholarship

  The Fulbright Center welcomes 20 to 25 students from the U.S. to the Netherlands each year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Our programs have been changing lives for 70 years, but we have remained unchanged in our commitment to fostering transformative experiences through education and the promotion of mutual understanding between citizens of the United States and the Netherlands. 

  Eligibility

  Only students from the U.S. can apply for the Fulbright scholarship. U.S. students currently residing in the Netherlands will not be considered for any awards to the Netherlands. Also, U.S. students with both U.S. and Dutch citizenship are excluded. In addition, this grant is also not available for US students with another EU nationality who intend to study at the VU on the basis of their EU nationality, or a spousal EU visa.

  Institution profile

  Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is ranked among Europe’s top research universities and provides an internationally oriented community in which students can develop their full potential. A high level of ambition characterizes research and education at this university. Free and open communication of ideas, strongly oriented toward people and society, are encouraged. The university seeks renewal, using the strength of the variety of academic disciplines, nationalities, ideologies and social convictions that exist in the environment.
  
  VU Amsterdam offers a competitive range of research and academic graduate programs, covering all major academic disciplines. The university is located in one of the most dynamic and fast-growing business districts in the Netherlands in which employees with an international background are widely appreciated. Amsterdam is the most culturally diverse city in the world, boasting 179 different nationalities, where English is widely spoken.

  Language

  Some knowledge of Dutch is useful at the time of arrival in the Netherlands, but not mandatory. The grants are available only for Master’s programmes taught in English.

  Grant period

  12 months, starting 1 September.

  Fulbright scholars that have been granted the scholarship for a two year Master's programme will be eligible to receive a VUFP scholarship for the second year, if they have achieved 100% of the credits of the first year.  

  Candidate profile

  Applicants must have strong motivation and excellent study results. Candidates must be admitted (at the time of application or later during the selection process for the Fulbright grant) to English-taught Master’s degree programs at VU Amsterdam. U.S. students currently residing in the Netherlands will not be considered for any awards to the Netherlands.

  Grant benefits

  The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of €1,300. International travel will be reimbursed to a maximum of €1,000. The cost of the residence permit (approximately €250) will be covered as well. Tuition fees are not waived, but differ per program.

  Dependents

  No dependent allowance is available.

  Application procedure

  Apply for the Fulbright grant by the deadline of 8 October 2024. Here you can find more information on how to apply.

  After the application for the Fulbright grant the students prepare their application for the VU Fulbright award and submit this before 15 January 2025 at the latest.

  Decisions

  The Fulbright Commission and the VU programs in the Netherlands will make their decision, and once both decisions have been taken, the student will be informed, usually in March or April.

  Contact

  For further information about the Fulbright grant, please contact Ms. Linda Pietersen - l.pietersen@fulbright.nl. For more information about the programs of VU Amsterdam contact scholarships.incoming@vu.nl.

  • Homepage Fulbright Center (Dutch)   
  • Homepage Fulbright Student Programme
  • Fulbright Grant Amounts

Other scholarship options

• Scholarships for students from Latin-America

  Colfuturo (for Colombian  students)

  COLFUTURO is a Colombian non-profit foundation that was established in 1991 with the support of the National Government and some of the most important companies of the private sector in the country at that time. Its main objective is to provide financial support and increase the possibilities of Colombian citizens to access high-quality postgraduate study programs abroad. With a total population of 47 million inhabitants, only 4% of Colombia’s professionals have postgraduate degrees, of which only 2% have Master’s degrees and less than 1% have Doctorate-level degrees. Thanks to this initiative, students, after finishing their postgraduate studies, return to the country and encourage the promotion of constant social, economic and cultural transformation in Colombia.

  FINANCIAL SUPPORT MODEL:

  The financial support model we use is a Scholarship-Loan. COLFUTURO offers each student up to US $50,000, which may be requested in full, even if the program is one year. Students may be awarded scholarships for 80% of the loaned amount, provided they accomplish these requirements: (1) be awarded their postgraduate degree, (2) return to Colombia, and (3) remain in the country for three to five years.

  APPLICATION:

  Information how and where to apply for this scholarship- loan can be found on Colfuturo website: https://www.colfuturo.org/

  REQUIREMENTS:

  To participate in COLFUTURO’s yearly application process, students shall follow the regular admission process to the program in the educational institution in the country of their choice. COLFUTURO does not get involved in the different universities’ or in their study programs’ application and selection processes. Additionally, applicants shall demonstrate advanced proficiency in a foreign language and hold an undergraduate degree, except for those students applying to double degree programs.

  SELECTION:

  The selection process considers three main criteria: academic quality of students, the quality of the study program, and the comparison amongst all applicants, maintaining each student’s anonymity. The academic quality of students is assessed with three aspects: undergraduate GPA (Grade Point Average), ranking position within their graduating class and an essay.

  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  Colfuturo students are entitled to a 30% discount on the tuition fees at VU Amsterdam. We provide individual invoices for all students clearly stating the original tuition fee and 30% discount offered by us. Students need to upload it in Colfuturo system to arrange the payments.

  Students who are nominated for the Colfuturo have 2 years to make use of it (enroll at the selected university). For example list of nominated students we have received for 2020- 2021 is still valid for 2021- 2022 and 2022- 2023 academic years.

  QUESTIONS?

  For questions about the application, documents, eligibility criteria, results etc. please contact Colfuturo. In order to request your invoice or in case of questions regarding the payment of tuition fee please contact: scholarships.incoming@vu.nl

  FUNED (for Mexican students)

  FUNED is a private operating foundation that promotes the professional careers of future Mexican leader through higher education providing complementary financial aid and scholarships for Mexicans pursuing Master's degrees abroad at one of the best 200 universities and 100 best programs worldwide.

  APPLICATION:

  Information how and where to apply for this scholarship- loan can be found on FUNED website: https://www.funedmx.org/

  REQUIREMENTS:

  To apply for FUNED funding you need to meet the following requirements:

  - Be a Mexican national.

  -Have achieved a GPA of 8.0 minimum of 10 point scale in their first degree program (i.e., Licenciatura) and to hold a first degree Mexican "Título."

  - Submit to FUNED an official Certificate of Admission issued by VU Amsterdam.

  - Submit your application to FUNED no later than 90 days before leaving to study their Master's degree.

  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  FUNED can be combined with funding from CONACYT for studies in the field of Health. It can also be combined with funding from EdukPro.

  FUNED students are entitled to a 30% discount on the tuition fees at VU Amsterdam. We provide individual invoices for all students clearly stating the original tuition fee and 30% discount offered by us. Students need to send them to FUNED to arrange the payments.

  QUESTIONS?

  For questions about the application, documents, eligibility criteria, results etc. please contact FUNED. In order to request your invoice or in case of questions regarding the payment of tuition fee please contact: vufp@vu.nl.

• Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme

  The Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme, a project funded by the EU, aims at increasing the number of experts in the EU field and supporting Turkey’s administrative capacity building efforts for the effective implementation of the EU acquis within the framework of Turkey’s negotiation process for the full membership to the EU. The Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme began in the 1990-1991 academic year and is one of the longest running projects in Turkey.
  
  Within the scope of the Scholarship Programme, Turkish public officials, graduate students (master/PhD), academic and administrative staff of the universities in Turkey as well as employees of the private sector and NGOs may apply. Scholars shall only conduct academic studies at graduate or research level at a university or similar institution in one of the EU member countries for periods of minimum 3, maximum 12 months. Academic studies longer than 12 months will not be supported even if the scholars are willing to fund the remaining period.
  
  Scholarships are granted exclusively for academic studies directly related to Turkey’s EU harmonisation process and the EU acquis. The Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme plays an important role in developing a better understanding of EU standards, legislation and implementation of EU acquis in EU member states among scholars who are believed to take an active role in the accession process of the Turkey to the EU. What is more, the Scholarship Programme aims to increase cultural exchange and intercultural dialogue that are essential to the development of EU-Turkey relations. 
  
  For more information about the application process please visit www.jeanmonnet.org.tr.

• Cultural Heritage Scholarship

  The Cultural Heritage Scholarship Programme is a one-year scholarship for a Heritage Master's programme in the Netherlands, for applicants from selected countries.

  This programme offers students and young professionals from Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Suriname the opportunity to follow a one-year master’s programme in the Netherlands related to their cultural heritage, specifically related to objects stolen during the Dutch colonial era. The programme offers 15-20 scholarships to students from participating countries for one-year master’s programmes in the Netherlands, starting in September 2024. Are you ready for the chance of a lifetime? Apply for the Cultural Heritage Scholarship now!

  Deadline

  The deadline to submit an application is Monday 8 April 2024 (16.00 CEST).

  For more information about the application process, see the Study in NL webpage.

• Aon Scholarship

  For decades, Aon has been actively involved in insuring international talent who come to the Netherlands for their education. To provide some of these students with additional financial support, Aon has established the Aon Scholarship Programme in collaboration with Nuffic. This programme offers scholarships of €6,000 to students whose studies focus on environmental topics. Eligible programmes include the Master’s in Environment and Resource Management, Ecology and Evolution, and Spatial, Transport and Environmental Economics.

  The primary target audience for the Aon Scholarship Programme is:

  • Students from a non-EU/EEA or EU/EEA country who, as of the 2024-2025 academic year, are enrolled as students at VU Amsterdam.
  • Students who are working on a thesis or dissertation as part of their Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD programme in the 2024-2025 academic year.

  Application

  If you are interested in applying, please send an email to scholarships.incoming@vu.nl. Nuffic will review and assess the applications based on the list of nominees and the information provided by the student. If necessary, Nuffic will consult with the educational institution. After the selection process, Nuffic will provide a recommendation to Aon. Aon will then announce the scholarship recipients, in principle, within two weeks of receiving Nuffic's recommendation.

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