Introduction

The Maastricht University Scholarship 2027-2028 provides fully funded support for international students pursuing eligible master’s degrees in the Netherlands. Offered through the UM NL-High Potential Scholarship programme, it combines a tuition fee waiver with financial assistance for living expenses and other specified costs. Applicants must complete their master’s admission application before applying for the scholarship, with separate deadlines for the two stages.

Scholarship Overview

The programme offers 18 full scholarships for the 2027-2028 academic year. Funding lasts 13 months for a one-year master’s programme or 25 months for a two-year master’s programme. The scholarship deadline is 1 February 2027, while the complete master’s application must be submitted before 10 December 2026.

The funding arrangement includes support from the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund and the NL Scholarship. The NL Scholarship is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, together with Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences. The programme is intended to support international students undertaking a full degree at Maastricht University.

Host Country

The scholarship supports study in the Netherlands. Recipients undertake their eligible master’s programme at Maastricht University while living in the country during their studies. Applicants must meet the requirements for obtaining an entry visa and residence permission for the Netherlands.

Host Institution or Organization

Maastricht University, also known as UM, hosts the scholarship and the participating degree programmes. The university has more than 16,000 students and approximately 4,000 staff members. Its academic environment has an international orientation, bringing together students and scholars from different backgrounds.

Degree Level

This opportunity is available for full-time master’s study in participating programmes for 2027-2028. The eligible options include taught master’s degrees, research master’s degrees, and specified advanced master’s programmes. Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen programme as well as the scholarship criteria.

Available Fields of Study

Participating programmes span six faculties or schools at Maastricht University. The options include social sciences, law, health, psychology, business, and science-related disciplines. Applicants should check that their intended programme appears among the scholarship-eligible options before starting their admission application.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

• Master Globalisation and Development Studies
• Master Media Studies: Digital Cultures
• Research Master Cultures of Arts, Science & Technology
• Research Master European Studies

Faculty of Law

• LLM European Law School: European Business Law; General Programme; European Public Law & Governance; Law for a Sustainable Europe; Law & AI
• LLM Globalisation and Law: Corporate and Commercial Law; General Programme; International Trade and Investment Law; Human Rights
• LLM Forensics, Criminology and Law
• LLM International and European Tax Law: General Programme; Tax and Technology; Customs and International Supply Chain Taxation
• LLM Advanced Master in Intellectual Property Law and Knowledge Management
• MSc Advanced Master in Intellectual Property Law and Knowledge Management

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences

• MSc Global Health
• MSc Epidemiology
• MSc Health Education and Promotion
• MSc Governance and Leadership in European Public Health
• MSc Health and Digital Transformation
• MSc Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management
• MSc Human Movement Sciences: Sports and Nutrition; Health and Rehabilitation

Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience

• MSc Psychology: Neuropsychology

School of Business and Economics

• MSc Econometrics and Operations Research
• MSc Global Supply Chain Management & Change
• MSc International Business: Strategic Corporate Finance; Strategic Marketing

Faculty of Science and Engineering

• MSc Systems Biology and Bioinformatics
• MSc Imaging Engineering
• MSc Biobased Materials

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship provides a full tuition fee waiver and a living-expense stipend. Living support totals €20,150 for 13 months or €38,750 for 25 months, depending on programme duration. Health and liability insurance coverage amounts to €700.

Visa application costs are also covered by the scholarship. Maastricht University’s international services desk covers the cost of pre-academic training for international students. However, any handling or application fee required by the master’s programme must be paid by the applicant and is not covered by the scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be under 35 years old on 1 September 2027. The stated citizenship criterion covers applicants with citizenship in a non-EU/EEA country, Switzerland, or Surinam, while separately excluding applicants holding dual nationality from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland. Applicants must also meet Dutch entry visa and residence requirements.

• Apply to an eligible full-time UM master’s programme for 2027-2028 and submit the complete admission file before 10 December 2026.
• Meet the admission requirements of the selected programme.
• Have outstanding academic results, with a GPA of at least 7.5 out of 10.
• Have no previous enrolment in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands; previous exchange participation is permitted.
• Agree to serve actively as a UM NL-High Potential and UM ambassador during and after study.

Preference is given to candidates who have not already earned a master’s degree. Selection is highly competitive, with the supplied information indicating that approximately 2% of applicants receive an award. Meeting the eligibility criteria therefore does not guarantee selection.

Required Documents

Applicants must upload their supporting documents in .doc, .docx, or PDF format. The CV must be no longer than two pages. Referee contact details must also be included and checked carefully before submission.

• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter
• Proof of academic excellence or transcript
• Personal statement of financial needs
• Reference letter
• Referee contact details

Application Process

Begin through Maastricht University’s official website by checking the registration instructions for an eligible master’s programme. Submit the complete programme application, meeting all admission requirements, before 10 December 2026. If the programme charges a handling or application fee, pay it yourself by 10 December 2026.

After applying through Studielink, applicants receive a student ID number for use in the scholarship application. Log in to the UM account, complete the scholarship application form, and upload the required documents, including evidence of a GPA of at least 7.5. The scholarship application can be submitted only once, so review all documents and referee details before submitting.

Important Dates and Deadline

The complete master’s admission application must be submitted before 10 December 2026. Any required programme handling or application fee must be paid by 10 December 2026. The scholarship application deadline is 1 February 2027, and the age criterion is assessed on 1 September 2027.

Tips for Applicants

As general preparation advice, create separate checklists for programme admission and scholarship submission. Request transcripts and contact your referee early so that document preparation does not delay either application. Keep copies of submitted materials and check that every uploaded file opens correctly.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

As general writing guidance, use the motivation letter to explain your academic interests and their connection to your selected programme. Support your points with accurate examples rather than broad claims about your abilities. In the financial-needs statement, describe your circumstances clearly and consistently, without exaggerating or introducing unsupported information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many scholarships are available?

The programme offers 18 full scholarships for 2027-2028. They support eligible master’s study at Maastricht University. Selection is competitive, and eligibility alone does not secure an award.

Can previous exchange students in the Netherlands apply?

Yes, previous participation in an exchange programme in the Netherlands is permitted. This differs from previous enrolment in a degree-seeking higher education programme there, which is excluded. Exchange applicants must still satisfy the other eligibility conditions.

Does the scholarship cover the programme application fee?

No, programme handling or application fees are not covered. Applicants must pay any required fee themselves by 10 December 2026. This is separate from the visa application costs covered by the scholarship.

Conclusion

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship supports eligible master’s students through tuition coverage, living assistance, insurance, and specified additional costs. Applicants should first confirm programme eligibility and complete the admission stage before proceeding to the scholarship form. Careful document preparation is particularly important because the scholarship application allows only one submission.