MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY
Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship
full · masters
- About 24 awards per yearScholarships available
- ~€30,000 total (est.)Value per award
- Full tuition coveredTuition support
- €12,350 to €23,750Living-cost contribution
- Age 35 or underMaximum age
- Non-EU/EEA studentsWho it is for
At a glance
full
Funding
€30k
Max amount
Feb 1, 2027
Deadline
All countries outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname
Country
Maastricht University
Provider
The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is a full Master's award for students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname who plan to study a participating full-time programme at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. The university funds about 24 awards each cycle, and each package is worth roughly €30,000 in total. It combines two funding streams: the High Potential Scholarship from the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund and the NL Scholarship financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The award covers tuition, a living-cost contribution paid as €12,350 over a 13-month programme or €23,750 over a 25-month programme, health and liability insurance of €700, the €210 visa application fee, and any required pre-academic training. Applicants must be no older than 35 at the start of the cycle, must not already hold a degree from a Dutch institution, and must rank academically near the top of the applicant pool. Because the number of awards, the exact amounts and the deadline are reset each year, confirm the current 2026/2027-cycle figures on the official Maastricht University scholarship page before applying.
What's covered
- Living-cost contribution — A living allowance of €12,350 for a 13-month programme or €23,750 for a 25-month programme, paid out through the UM International Services Desk.
- Tuition fees — Full tuition for the participating Master's programme is covered for the standard duration of study; the exact amount depends on the programme cost.
- Health and liability insurance — The cost of health and liability insurance, around €700, is paid and arranged by the UM International Services Desk.
- Visa application fee — The visa application fee of about €210 is covered and processed through the UM International Services Desk.
- Pre-academic training — Any pre-academic training required by the chosen programme is arranged and paid for by the university.
- Practical support — Administrative support from the UM International Services Desk for visa, insurance and arrival logistics throughout the funded period.
How to apply
You apply for admission and for the scholarship through Maastricht University's own systems during the published application window.
- Apply for admission — Submit an application for admission to a participating full-time Master's programme at Maastricht University for the 2026/2027 intake.
- Check eligibility — Confirm you meet the non-EU/EEA nationality, age, and prior-education conditions before starting the scholarship form.
- Submit the scholarship application — Complete the NL-High Potential Scholarship application and upload the academic-excellence evidence and any required statements.
- Provide supporting documents — Attach your most recent transcript or an academic-excellence certificate, proof of admission, and identity documents.
- Submit before the deadline — Send your complete application before the published closing date; incomplete or late applications are not assessed.
Eligibility
NationalityYou must hold citizenship of a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname and be able to meet the entry visa and residence-permit requirements for the Netherlands.
No dual EU nationalityYou must not also hold a nationality of an EU/EEA country.
Programme applicationYou must have applied for admission to a participating full-time Master's programme at Maastricht University for the relevant academic year.
Prior educationYou must not have previously taken a degree-seeking higher-education programme in the Netherlands; completed exchange programmes do not disqualify you.
Age limitYou must be no older than 35 at the start of the cycle.
Academic standingYou must show excellent academic results; in ties the university prioritises applicants in the top 5 percent of the scholarship pool.
Only certain Master's programmes participate in the scheme; check that your chosen programme is on the participating list before relying on the scholarship.
Eligible countries
All countries outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname
Deadlines
2026/2027 (September 2026 intake)~1 February 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed primarily on academic excellence shown in transcripts and academic-excellence documents. Where several applicants are equally qualified, Maastricht University gives priority to those whose records place them in the top 5 percent of the scholarship applicant pool for the cycle, alongside meeting all eligibility conditions.
Verified sources
- Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarshipmaastrichtuniversity.nlofficial
About the provider
Maastricht University, founded in 1976 in Maastricht in the Netherlands, is known for its Problem-Based Learning method and a strongly international student body drawn from over 100 countries. It offers Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral programmes across faculties spanning health, law, business, science and the humanities.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the NL-High Potential Scholarship?
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Students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname who have applied to a participating full-time Master's programme at Maastricht University and meet the age and prior-education conditions.
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
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About 24 full scholarships are offered each cycle; confirm the current number on the official Maastricht University page.
How much is the scholarship worth?
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Each award is worth roughly €30,000 in total (est.), combining tuition, a living-cost contribution, insurance and the visa fee.
What living-cost contribution will I receive?
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You receive €12,350 for a 13-month programme or €23,750 for a 25-month programme, paid through the UM International Services Desk.
Does the scholarship cover tuition?
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Yes. Full tuition for the participating Master's programme is covered for the standard duration of study.
Is there an age limit?
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Yes. You must be no older than 35 at the start of the cycle.
Can I apply if I already studied in the Netherlands?
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No degree-seeking study in the Netherlands is allowed beforehand, but a completed exchange programme does not disqualify you.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
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Yes. You first apply for admission to a participating programme, then submit the dedicated NL-High Potential Scholarship application.
Are health insurance and visa costs covered?
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Yes. Health and liability insurance of about €700 and the visa application fee of about €210 are both covered.
Which programmes are eligible?
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Only participating full-time Master's programmes; check the official participating-programmes list before applying.
When is the deadline?
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The deadline is usually around 1 February (about 1 February 2026, est.); confirm the exact date on the official page.
Where do I confirm the official details?
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On the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship page, which lists the binding amounts, participating programmes and deadlines for each cycle.