Maastricht University Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is a competitive financial support programme for talented international students pursuing selected full-time master's degrees.

The scholarship combines two funding initiatives:

• High Potential Scholarship: Funded by the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund.

• NL Scholarship: Supported by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in cooperation with Dutch higher education institutions.

Together, these funding sources provide comprehensive financial assistance to selected non-EU/EEA students.

The programme supports students admitted to participating master's degrees at Maastricht University.

Maastricht University is a public research university located in Maastricht, the Netherlands. It is known for its international learning environment and Problem-Based Learning approach.

Students from different countries study together, participate in collaborative learning activities and develop skills relevant to international careers.

However, admission to a master's programme does not automatically guarantee a scholarship. Applicants must complete the separate scholarship application and pass a competitive selection process.

The NL-High Potential Scholarship offers extensive financial support for selected master's students.

1. Full Tuition-Fee Coverage

The scholarship covers the tuition fees for the participating master's programme.

This is particularly valuable for non-EU/EEA students, who would otherwise generally pay international tuition rates.

The tuition-fee payment is arranged through the university's International Services Desk.

2. Monthly Living Allowance of €1,550

Scholarship recipients receive a living allowance of €1,550 per month.

The university publishes two total living-expense amounts depending on the duration of the master's programme.

For a one-year master's programme:

• Funding duration: 13 months.

• Total living allowance: €20,150.

For a two-year master's programme:

• Funding duration: 25 months.

• Total living allowance: €38,750.

These amounts are intended to help students cover everyday expenses while studying in Maastricht.

3. Health and Liability Insurance

The scholarship covers health and liability insurance under arrangements managed by the university.

The published budget identifies approximately €700 for this benefit.

Students should follow the university's instructions regarding insurance registration and coverage.

4. Visa Application Costs

The scholarship covers applicable visa application costs.

The Maastricht University International Services Desk arranges and pays these costs according to the university's procedures.

5. Pre-Academic Training

Selected scholarship holders participate in a mandatory two-week Pre-Academic Training programme.

The training is scheduled to begin in the first week of August 2027.

Its costs are covered through the scholarship.

This programme helps students prepare for their studies and transition to Maastricht University's academic environment.

6. International Student Ambassador Programme

The scholarship includes support for the first block of the International Student Ambassador Programme.

Recipients are also expected to act as Maastricht University ambassadors during and after their studies.

This involves sharing their experiences with prospective students or other stakeholders.

7. Accommodation Arrangements

An allocated room is a mandatory part of the scholarship package.

For the 2027–2028 intake, the university states that accommodation will be allocated until 16 July 2028.

Accepting the scholarship means accepting the allocated room.

The scholarship application requires several supporting documents in addition to the master's admission materials.

The university accepts scholarship uploads in DOC, DOCX or PDF format.

1. Updated Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must upload an up-to-date CV.

Maximum length: two A4 pages.

The CV should include:

• Educational qualifications.

• Relevant employment experience.

• Internships or research activities.

• Academic achievements.

• Awards and prizes.

• Other relevant professional experience.

2. Motivation Letter

Applicants must provide a scholarship motivation letter.

The university requires applicants to use its official motivation-letter template.

The letter should focus on why the applicant is applying for the NL-High Potential Scholarship.

Applicants should follow the template rather than submit an unrelated general-purpose motivation letter.

The official template is linked from the scholarship application instructions.

3. Proof of Academic Excellence

Applicants must provide an official academic transcript or university document showing their latest GPA.

The GPA must be equivalent to at least 7.5/10.

Candidates must also submit a document explaining the grading system used by their university.

4. Personal Statement of Financial Need

The scholarship requires a personal statement explaining why financial assistance would benefit the applicant.

Applicants should describe their circumstances clearly and truthfully.

Relevant information may include:

• Financial difficulties.

• Family responsibilities.

• Caregiving obligations.

• Other circumstances affecting their ability to finance postgraduate study.

Applicants should disclose only information they are comfortable providing and that is relevant to their scholarship application.

5. One Recommendation Letter

Applicants must submit one reference letter.

The university provides official scholarship recommendation-letter guidelines.

The referee may be:

• A current or former professor.

• A lecturer.

• An employer.

Family members cannot serve as referees.

The letter must be dated no earlier than February 2026.

Applicants must upload the recommendation letter themselves.

The referee does not submit it directly to the scholarship portal.

6. Referee Contact Details

Applicants must provide contact information for one referee.

This includes:

• The referee's relationship to the applicant.

• Work telephone number, including country code.

• Institutional or work email address.

Recommendation letters supported only by a personal email address may be rejected.

7. Master's Programme Admission Documents

Applicants must also satisfy the separate document requirements of their chosen master's programme.

These may include academic transcripts, degree certificates, language evidence or other programme-specific materials.

The exact admission checklist depends on the programme.

Applicants must meet all the published eligibility conditions.

1. Nationality Requirements

Applicants must hold nationality in a country outside:

• The European Union.

• The European Economic Area.

• Switzerland.

• Surinam.

Applicants must also satisfy the requirements for obtaining a Dutch entry visa and residence permit.

Dual nationals holding EU/EEA or Swiss nationality are not eligible.

Applicants who already hold a residence permit for another Schengen country must check the programme's additional visa conditions.

2. Admission to an Eligible Master's Programme

Candidates must apply for a participating full-time Maastricht University master's programme for the 2027–2028 academic year.

Not every master's programme is eligible.

Applicants must check the university's official participating-programmes list before submitting an admission application.

3. Age Requirement

Applicants must be 35 years old or younger on 1 September 2027.

Candidates exceeding this age limit are not eligible under the published rules.

4. Academic Excellence

Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic results.

The university requires a minimum GPA equivalent to 7.5 out of 10.

Depending on the grading system, this may correspond to:

• At least 75 out of 100.

• At least 3.0 out of 4.0.

Applicants must submit official evidence of their GPA and an explanation of their university's grading system.

5. Previous Education in the Netherlands

Applicants must not have previously participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands.

Students who completed an exchange programme in the Netherlands may still apply.

6. Previous Master's Degree

Preference is given to candidates who have not already obtained a master's degree.

Having a previous master's qualification is therefore a disadvantage in selection, although the published wording describes a preference rather than an absolute exclusion.

7. University Ambassador Commitment

Scholarship recipients must agree to become active Maastricht University ambassadors.

They are expected to share their study experiences during at least one information session or comparable activity.

8. One Scholarship Application Only

The university states that candidates can submit only one scholarship application.

Applicants must make sure all uploaded documents are complete and correct because submitted documents cannot subsequently be replaced or added.

Are African Students Eligible for Maastricht University Scholarship 2027?

Yes. Eligible applicants from African countries may apply, provided they satisfy the nationality, academic, age and programme requirements.

For example, qualified applicants from countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Africa may be eligible.

However, eligibility depends on each individual's circumstances.

Applicants must also meet the admission requirements for their selected Maastricht University master's programme.

The scholarship is not restricted to African students; qualified applicants from other eligible non-EU/EEA countries may also apply.

The application process has two separate stages.

You must first apply for an eligible master's programme before submitting the scholarship application.

Step 1: Review the Official Scholarship Requirements

Visit the official Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship page.

Read the eligibility conditions, financial benefits and application instructions.

Step 2: Choose an Eligible Master's Programme

Find a programme on the official participating-programmes list.

Confirm that you meet the academic and English-language admission requirements.

Step 3: Apply Through Studielink

Submit your master's admission application through Studielink, the Netherlands' higher education registration system.

You must complete the master's admission application by 10 December 2026.

This includes submitting the required admission documents and meeting the programme's application conditions.

Step 4: Obtain Your Maastricht University Student ID

After submitting your Studielink application, Maastricht University will issue a student identification number.

You need this number to access and complete the scholarship application.

Step 5: Prepare Your Scholarship Documents

Gather the following:

• Updated CV of no more than two A4 pages.

• Motivation letter using the official template.

• Official academic transcript or GPA document.

• Explanation of your university's grading system.

• Personal statement of financial need.

• Recommendation letter following the official guidelines.

• Referee's professional contact information.

Step 6: Open the Scholarship Application Form

Access the scholarship application through the official Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship page.

Log in using your Maastricht University account.

Step 7: Complete the Scholarship Form

Provide the requested personal, academic and programme information.

Enter your student number and referee details carefully.

Step 8: Upload All Required Documents

Upload the documents in DOC, DOCX or PDF format.

Make sure the files are complete, readable and consistent with the university's instructions.

Step 9: Review Your Application

Before submitting, confirm that:

• Your selected master's programme is eligible.

• Your admission application was completed by 10 December 2026.

• Your GPA meets the minimum requirement.

• Your CV does not exceed two A4 pages.

• You used the official motivation-letter template.

• Your financial-need statement is included.

• Your recommendation letter meets the date and referee requirements.

• Your referee's work contact details are correct.

Step 10: Submit the Scholarship Application

Submit the scholarship application by 1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET.

Important: Maastricht University does not allow applicants to add or replace scholarship documents after submission.