Utrecht University Scholarships for International Students

Utrecht University is one of the most active universities solving global problems and issues through research. Established in 1636 in Utrecht, Netherlands, Utrecht University consistently ranks among the top 70 universities globally and top 1 nationally. With over 35,000 students, 8,000 staff, 650 professors, and over 195,000 alumni, it has one of the most robust academic communities that welcome international students.

The tuition fees and the cost of living in the Netherlands are relatively lower than in other European countries. For non-EU/EEA students, the tuition fees for undergraduate programs at Utrecht University start at €8,000 to €20,000. On the other hand, Postgraduate tuition fees vary from €10,000 to €25,000. Listed below are some of the best scholarships at Utrecht University for international students to help you fund your education.

Utrecht University Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships at Utrecht University

1. British Council – IELTS Award

  • Scholarship Amount: £3,000 up to £10,000
  • Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be 18 years old above and must have achieved a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for all components of the IELTS test. Applicants must have taken the IELTS exam at any British council center in Germany.
  • Scholarship Link

Funded by the British Council in Germany, the IELTS Award aims to help exceptional international students pursue their studies. Usually, only one awardee receives this exclusive scholarship, but other candidates may receive this grant if the successful candidate’s tuition fee is lower than the allocated scholarship amount.

To apply for this scholarship available at Utrecht University, you must take the IELTS examination at any British Council Centre in Germany. Make sure to submit the official test report form (TRF) on or before the Award’s application deadline. After forwarding the TRF, you need to complete the IELTS Award online application form. Once the council shortlisted you for the grant, you must submit the acceptance letter from Utrecht and a personal statement before the IELTS Award’s timeline.

2. Utrecht Excellence Scholarships

  • Scholarship Amount: €5,000 to €17,000
  • Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be of non-EU/EEA origin, and they must not have taken their secondary education at any Dutch institution. Applicants must belong to the top 10% of graduating class. Furthermore, applicants must have gotten a Bachelor’s degree offer from Utrecht University.
  • Scholarship Link

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarships is one of the most exclusive scholarships offered for high-caliber prospective students from non-EU/EEA countries. The scholarship is highly selective. Candidates would be considered based on their academic excellence, their potential to contribute in their chosen field of study, and their application’s credibility. The scholarship does not cover the costs of the tuition fees, so it is still necessary that the applicants have other means to finance their education.

To apply for this Utrecht University scholarship, you must meet the eligibility criteria and complete your application at Utrecht University before May. There is no need to send an application form. The scholarship committee will review your application and notify you once you have qualified for the scholarship.

At Utrecht University, there are only 13 undergraduate programs taught in English. If you are interested in any of these programs, we encourage you to apply for the scholarships mentioned above. If you want to know more about other financial aids offered at Utrecht University for international students, you may visit their undergraduate scholarships page.

Postgraduate Scholarships at Utrecht University

1. Holland Scholarship

  • Scholarship Amount: €5,000
  • Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must not be citizens of EU/EEA countries, and they must have never enrolled at any school in the Netherlands before. Applicants must have completed the application at their chosen master’s program before the scholarship deadline. To check if your master’s program is eligible for Holland Scholarship, you may check Utrecht University’s Master’s programme page.
  • Degree Offered: Master’s
  • Scholarship Link

Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science department, and several Dutch research universities, the Holland Scholarship is one of the most sought-after scholarships for international students to study in the Netherlands. Yearly, 2,000 applicants receive this grant. You can only receive this scholarship once, and it lasts for one year of study.

To apply for this scholarship at Utrecht University, you must first complete your master’s program application. Once you have completed your application at Utrecht University, you may now log in to the Osiris Application page and create a new application. When prompted, upload your financial statement, answer the questions, and review your application before finally submitting it. Make sure to complete your application on or before the scholarship’s deadline.

2. Utrecht Excellence Scholarship

  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition fee or Tuition fee + income required for one year
  • Eligibility Criteria: Scholarship is open for international students outside EU/EEA countries who belong to the top 10% of the graduating class. Furthermore, applicants must have received an acceptance letter from the eligible graduate programs specified on the scholarship’s page.
  • Degree Offered: Master’s
  • Scholarship Link

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship offers an avenue for talented international students to continue their studies abroad. This highly selective scholarship greatly prioritizes students with excellent academic backgrounds and experience. 

To apply, you must first complete your application at Utrecht University and receive an acceptance letter to a qualified master’s program. After submitting your application for the program, you will then have the opportunity to apply once for UES. Secure all the documents needed, such as your proof of belonging to the top 10% of the class. Do not forget to submit before the scholarship deadline.

3. UES – Law, Economics and Governance International Talent Scholarship

  • Scholarship Amount: €11,000 or Tuition fee + €11,000
  • Eligibility Criteria: All nationals are welcome to apply. The committee will evaluate the applicants based on their academic excellence, vision, and involvement in extracurriculars. Applicants must not have taken secondary education at any Dutch institution. Only applicants admitted at Utrecht University’s Graduate school of Law, Economics, and Governance, are welcome to apply.
  • Degree Offered: Master’s
  • Scholarship Link

The UES-LEGITS is exclusive to students taking master’s programs at the graduate school of Law, Economics, and Governance. Unlike UES, UES-LEGITS welcomes citizens from EU/EEA countries to apply. This Utrecht University scholarship amount is €11,000 for EU/EEA students, while for non-EU/EEA students, the scholarship covers the tuition fee and grants an additional €11,000. You can apply for both UES and UES-LEGITS at the same time. However, if you are from EU/EEA countries, you can only apply for UES-LEGITS.

To apply for this scholarship, you must apply for any of the specified Master’s programs. Then, you must proceed to Osiris Online application, enter your credentials, and create a new application. Answer the questions and upload the necessary documents before submitting your scholarship application.

4. NN Future Matters Scholarship

  • Scholarship Amount: €5,000 for EU/EEA, and up to €20,000 for non-EU/EEA
  • Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must come from the selected countries specified on the scholarship’s page. Applicants must also choose an eligible master’s program specified on the scholarship’s page. Furthermore, your parents must have never attained a bachelor’s degree, and you must have never experienced working or studying abroad. Applicants who received this scholarship before are welcome to reapply.
  • Scholarship Link

The NN Future Matters Scholarship is granted to deserving international students from selected countries to help them build their economic capabilities. To be considered for this scholarship, you must complete your application to an eligible master’s program at Utrecht University. Afterward, you must secure the following documents: diploma/overview of study results, motivation letter, financial budget, curriculum vitae, admission letter, copy of your passport or ID, and at least two reference letters. Once you have secured these documents, you may now proceed with your Utrecht University scholarship application. Check the scholarship’s official page to get updated with the academic year’s scholarship timeline.

There are more postgraduate scholarships offered at Utrecht University that we have not mentioned in this article. If you are eligible for any of the scholarships mentioned above, we encourage you to apply. If you are interested in other postgraduate scholarships offered at Utrecht University, feel free to visit Utrecht’s official Postgraduate scholarships page.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page.