Maastricht University Scholarships for International Students (Non-EU/EEA) 2026 | Apply Now

Maastricht University Scholarships for International Students (Non-EU/EEA) 2026 | Apply Now

Maastricht University (UM) offers full scholarships to academically excellent students from outside the European Economic Area (EU/EEA) to pursue a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree.

These programs aim to attract talented individuals with leadership potential and a strong commitment to becoming university ambassadors.

Scholarship Highlights

Eligibility Requirements (General)

To be considered for the main UM full scholarships (NL-High Potential and Global Studies), candidates must meet the following criteria:

• You must hold a nationality from a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or Suriname.
• You must not hold dual nationality from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
• You must have applied for admission to a participating full-time degree program at Maastricht University for the 2026-2027 academic year.
• You must meet the specific admission requirements of the UM study program you applied to.
• You must have never participated in a degree-seeking higher education program in the Netherlands (exchange students are still eligible).
• You must be under 35 years of age on September 1, 2026.
• You must have demonstrated academic excellence during your previous education, generally a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 or higher.

Also Apply: Link to Apply | Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2025

Scholarship Options and Benefits

1. Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship (Master’s)

This scholarship is for highly talented students seeking a Master’s degree. It combines funding from the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund and the NL Scholarship.

Eligible Master’s Programs (Partial List):

The scholarship is available for numerous Master’s programs across multiple faculties, including:

• Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences: Master Globalisation and Development Studies, Master Media Studies: Digital Cultures, Research Master European Studies.
• Faculty of Law: LLM European Law School (various specialisations), LLM Globalisation and Law (various specialisations).
• Other Faculties: Programs in Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Psychology and Neurosciences, Science and Engineering, and Business and Economics.

2. UM Global Studies Scholarship (Bachelor’s)

This is a single, fully funded scholarship for an outstanding student from a Global South country who wishes to pursue the Bachelor’s in Global Studies.

Key Specific Eligibility:

• You must hold the nationality of a country in the Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean – as per the OECD eligible list).
• You must apply for admission to the Bachelor’s program in Global Studies.
• You must not hold a previous higher education degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree.

3. UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship (Master’s)

This scholarship is for Master’s students whose program is offered at one of the Maastricht University satellite campuses (Brightlands Campuses in Venlo, Geleen, or Heerlen).

• Benefits: Covers Tuition fees, living expenses, Health & liability insurance, Visa application costs, and Pre-Academic Training costs.
• Duration: 13 or 25 months.
• Eligible Master’s Programs (Examples): Health Food Innovation Management (Campus Venlo), Biobased Materials (Chemelot Campus), Global Supply Chain Management and Change (Campus Venlo), Data Science for Decision Making (Smart Services Campus).

Also Apply: Call for Applications: Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) Cohort 4 Fellowship Programme for Young Nigerians 2025

Application Guidelines

The application for both the academic program and the scholarship must be completed online.

Step 1: Apply for Admission to the Study Program

1. Register via Studielink: Apply for your chosen Master’s or Bachelor’s program at Maastricht University through the Dutch national application system, Studielink.
2. Complete UM Application: After registering on Studielink, you will receive your UM student ID number and access to the MyApplication Portal where you will complete your program application, including uploading required admission documents (transcripts, motivation letter for the program, etc.).
3. Meet Program Admission Deadline: The recommended admission deadline for Master’s programs is December 8, 2025, to ensure a conditional admission offer before the scholarship deadline.

Step 2: Apply for the Scholarship

Once you have your UM student ID and have submitted your program application, you can proceed with the scholarship application.

1. Access the Scholarship Application Form: Log in to the online application system using your UM account details to find and complete the specific Scholarship Application Form.
2. Upload Required Documents: You must upload the following supporting documents:
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Maximum two A4 pages, detailing education and experience.
   • Letter of Motivation (Scholarship): Use the specific template provided by UM, arguing clearly why you should be selected and why the scholarship is essential for you. It should be no longer than one A4 page.
   • Proof of Academic Excellence: Your official university transcript showing a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 or higher, or a certified letter from your institution’s Head of Department or Registrar.
   • Personal Statement of Financial Needs: Explain why you require financial assistance to pursue your studies at UM.
   • Reference Letter: A dated reference letter (written no earlier than February 2025) from a former professor, lecturer, or employer.
3. Submission: Submit the completed scholarship application and all required documents before the final deadline.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026, 23:59 CET.