Utrecht Excellence Scholarships 2024

Applications are invited for the 2024 Utrecht Excellence Scholarships 2024. The application deadline to apply online for Utrecht Excellence Scholarships is February 1, 2024. Major subjects and specializations like social science, engineering, and computer science are available.The applicant will not be charged any application fee.

Each year, the Dutch government offers a large number of scholarships to international students. Among the greatest scholarships available to students pursuing master’s degrees is this one as well. The scholarship is only open to people from abroad. The partially funded scholarship covers all costs associated with studying in the Netherlands. If the candidate’s most recent education was in English, they do not need to take an IELTS for this scholarship. A test of English proficiency is only necessary for candidates whose prior education was not in the language.

About Utrecht University

The Illustrious School of Utrecht, founded in 1634, laid the foundation for Utrecht University on March 26, 1636. One of the best public universities in Utrecht, the Netherlands, is Utrecht University. According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, it is ranked 112th. Utrecht University offers a high-quality education in accordance with international standards. This university offers top-notch study spaces and fully furnished research labs.

Utrecht Excellence Scholarships Details

• Offered Degrees: Master 
• University Name:  Utrecht University
• Host Country: Netherlands
• Application Last Date: February 1, 2024

Scholarship Amount

• the tuition fee, or
• the tuition fee plus the income required for one year linked to a residence permit for study as determined by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).

Selection Criteria

We will select eligible candidates for a scholarship based on the following criteria:

• Academic quality and promise in the proposed field of study, as evidenced by your master’s application. 
• Academic excellence, as evidenced by proof of belonging to the top 10% of your graduating class (class ranking certificate, GPA with grade distribution summary, statement/reference letter signed and stamped by your university).
• The quality and relevance of your motivation letter for the master’s program (academic content, intercultural and communication skills, personal motivation).
• The quality of the application for the master’s program itself (completeness, accuracy, consistency)

Application Procedure

This page explains the steps you need to take to apply for a Master’s program at Utrecht University. We strongly suggest that you read through this guide thoroughly before starting your application. 

Fees

You must pay fees before you can start your master’s program as an international student. In the Netherlands, there are two types of fees: application fees and tuition fees. You must pay an application fee to apply for the program. You can find out more about fees and the rules that apply to you on the following two pages.

Application Fee

Applicants must pay an application fee of €100. Applications made without the fee being paid will not be considered. The application fee is non-refundable. You can access the online payment portal once you have uploaded your application documents.

The following do not need to pay the application fee:

• Students registered as refugees in the Netherlands.
• Students applying for a privately funded master’s program (Epidemiology Postgraduate, Bestuur en beleid voor professionals, Organisatie, cultuur en management, Strategisch management in the non-profit sector)
• Students who are currently or previously registered as exchange students at Utrecht University
• Students applying for admission based on a Dutch degree

Tuition Fees

Are you paying statutory tuition fees for the first time for a bachelor’s degree or a program in teaching in 2023-2024? Check the conditions on the website of the Government of the Netherlands. The government intends to stop halving the tuition fees for the academic year 2024–2025.

In the Netherlands, there are two types of tuition fees: the statutory tuition fee and the institutional tuition fee. Depending on your situation, one of the two fees applies to you:

Scholarships and Grants

Utrecht University, the Dutch Government, and other organizations offer scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Below is a list of the scholarships most commonly awarded to international students studying in Utrecht. Note that there are limited scholarship options for programs starting in February.

• Utrecht Excellence Scholarships
• Bright Minds Fellowships
• NL Scholarship
• Utrecht Sylff Scholarships: for outstanding graduates from University College Utrecht and Economics and Business Economics (UU)
• Student grant and loan system
• Tuition fee loan
• Erasmus+ Master loans
• Fullbright / NAF
• Canadian student loans
• US Federal Loans
• UES: Law, Economics, and Governance International Talent Scholarship
• Martijn Zwart Fund: for students with American or Canadian nationality who apply for an MA program at the Department of Dutch Language and Culture

Selective Admission

The aim of selective admission to graduate programs at Utrecht University is to ensure an optimal match between your abilities and aspirations and the Utrecht University learning environment. Utrecht University is committed to promoting excellence, providing equal opportunities, and enhancing the diversity of its student body.

The primary consideration is whether you will be able to complete the program in the time allotted. Prior academic achievement is a strong indicator used to make that determination. The program will decide which specific academic achievements with proven relevance for the assessment of your suitability for the degree program will be considered. These may include your GPA or grades, standardised test scores, proofs of proficiency, samples of work in the relevant subject area(s), relevant skills, and proficiency in the language of instruction. All master’s programs use at least two qualitative selection criteria.

After You Apply

As soon as you have applied for a program, the university will start to process your application. On this page, you can find more information about the process of your application and the documents you have to submit.

Step 1: Application File complete

After you’ve submitted your application, you will be able to track your progress in the OSIRIS Online Application, as well as accept or decline any admission offers. Once we receive your application, International Student Admissions will first check your application file for completeness. Is your application file complete?

Step 2: Admission Decision

If your master’s application is successful, you will receive an official letter of acceptance from the relevant graduate school. Make sure to read this letter, the accompanying email, and any other attachments thoroughly.

• If your offer is conditional, you will be admitted after fulfilling certain requirements. These requirements and your deadline to fulfill them are stated in your letter of conditional acceptance. If you fulfill all conditions before the specified deadline, you will receive a letter of unconditional acceptance, and you can officially enroll in the program.

Conditions Of Admission

A letter of conditional acceptance may contain one or more of the following conditions:

• I have to send proof of my diploma and transcript
• I have to send proof of my English proficiency
• I have to complete a course or pass a test

Step 3: Accepting Your Offer

When you receive a letter of conditional admission, you will be asked to accept your offer. By accepting the offer, you reserve your place in the Master’s programme. You can already accept the offer, even if you have yet to fulfill the conditions of admission.

We recommend that you accept the offer as soon as possible to make sure that you receive all relevant communication from us that will guide you through the process of enrollment.

Step 4: Applying For A Visa and/or Residence Permit

If you require a visa and/or residence permit to study in the Netherlands, our Visa Office will contact you after you accept our offer. You will receive detailed information about how to submit your application, which documents you need to arrange, as well as payment instructions for the visa/residence permit and tuition fees.

Eligibility Criteria

• You must belong to the top 10% of your graduating class.
• You must not hold an EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for support under the Dutch study grant and loan system.
• You must have completed your secondary school and/or bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands.
• You must have applied for an international master’s programme with a start date of September 1, 2024. Not all programmes participate. Please check Master’s Program > Tuition Fees and Financial Support to see if the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is mentioned as a scholarship opportunity.

Required Documents

• Academic Transcripts
• Motivation Letter
• Statement Declaring Purpose
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Application Deadline

The application deadline to apply online for Utrecht Excellence Scholarships is February 1, 2024.

How To Apply?

The best place to start if you want to learn more about the Utrecht Excellence Scholarships is the official website. Additionally, you can learn more about the university’s staff, faculty, research, and outreach initiatives. Along with other online resources, the website gives users access to course handbooks and academic calendars. If you want to learn more about the institution, whether you’re a potential or current student or you’re just curious, go to their official website.

Frequently Asked Questions