Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–28Fully Funded Master’s in the Netherlands
Full tuition + €1,550/mo for top master's students in Netherlands
Apply for the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–28 to pursue an eligible master’s degree in the Netherlands with comprehensive financial support.
- Host
- Maastricht University
- Mode
- Full-time, on-campus study
- Age limit
- Not older than 35 on 1 September 2027
- Degree
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent qualification that meets the chosen master’s programme’s admission requirements
- Experience
- None
Can you apply?
Applicants must meet all the following general requirements.
1. Nationality
Applicants must hold nationality from a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname. They must also meet the Netherlands’ entry visa and residence permit requirements.
Applicants holding dual nationality from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland are not eligible under the stated rules.
2. Admission to an eligible master’s programme
Applicants must apply to a participating full-time master’s programme at Maastricht University for the 2027–28 academic year.
The complete master’s application file must meet the programme’s admission requirements by 10 December 2026. Not every master’s programme at Maastricht University is eligible.
3. Previous study in the Netherlands
Applicants must not have previously participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands. Students who have completed an exchange programme in the Netherlands may still apply.
4. Age requirement
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger on 1 September 2027.
5. Academic excellence
Applicants must have a latest grade transcript showing a GPA of at least 7.5 out of 10, or the equivalent required under the university’s grading assessment.
The university requests official documentation of the GPA and a document explaining the grading system used by the previous institution.
6. Scholarship ambassador commitment
Recipients must agree to become active UM NL-High Potential and university ambassadors during and after their studies. This includes participating in at least one information session for students or other stakeholders.
7. Master’s degree preference
Preference is given to candidates who have not already obtained a master’s degree. Applicants who hold a master’s degree should not assume they are automatically excluded, but they may receive lower priority in selection.
What you get
The scholarship provides financial support for tuition, living expenses and specified study-related costs.
1. Monthly living allowance
Recipients receive €1,550 per month for living expenses.
The university’s published funding breakdown for 2027–28 lists the following totals:
- One-year master’s: €20,150 over 13 months
- Two-year master’s: €38,750 over 25 months
The living allowance is intended to contribute towards accommodation, groceries, personal hygiene, telephone, local travel, books, study materials and other everyday expenses.
2. Tuition fees
The university arranges and pays the tuition fees for the eligible master’s programme under the scholarship.
3. Health and liability insurance
The scholarship covers health and liability insurance, with the published budget listing approximately €700.
4. Visa application costs
Eligible visa application costs are arranged and paid by the university’s International Services Desk.
5. Pre-academic training
Recipients must attend a mandatory two-week pre-academic training programme, scheduled to begin in the first week of August 2027. The university covers the specified training costs.
6. International Student Ambassador Programme
The scholarship includes the International Student Ambassador Programme for its first block, with the university covering the specified programme costs.
7. Accommodation arrangement
A room is allocated to scholarship recipients until 16 July 2028. Accepting the scholarship means accepting the allocated accommodation.
Students enrolled in a two-year master’s programme must arrange and finance their accommodation for the second year themselves. The university states that the allocated accommodation is not suitable for partners, spouses, children or pets.
Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Scholarship applications open | 1 October 2026 |
| Complete master’s admission application deadline | 10 December 2026 |
| Scholarship application deadline | 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET |
| Faculty selection and ranking | February–March 2027 |
| Interviews and final selection | March–April 2027 |
| Final status expected | By early May 2027 |
| Mandatory pre-academic training begins | First week of August 2027 |
Applying
Step 1: Choose an eligible master’s programme
Review Maastricht University’s list of participating programmes for 2027–28. Check the course-specific academic qualifications, admission requirements and any handling fee.
Step 2: Apply for admission
Submit your application through the Dutch higher-education application system, Studielink. Follow the master’s programme’s instructions to complete your admission file.
Your Maastricht University student ID is needed to complete the scholarship application.
Step 3: Prepare your scholarship documents
Prepare your CV, motivation letter, academic records, grading-system explanation, financial-need statement, reference letter and referee contact details.
Step 4: Submit the scholarship application
Log in using your university account and complete the official scholarship application form. You can submit only one application for one scholarship, so review every document carefully before submitting.
Step 5: Meet both deadlines
Complete your master’s application file by 10 December 2026. Submit the scholarship application by 1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET.
Step 6: Wait for the selection outcome
The university checks applications after the scholarship deadline. Faculties rank their strongest candidates, and selected applicants are invited to an online interview. The university expects to inform applicants of their status by early May 2027 at the latest.
Common questions
Is the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship fully funded?
Yes, it is a full scholarship for eligible recipients, covering tuition, a living allowance, insurance, visa costs and specified training expenses. However, international airfare, an initial accommodation cleaning fee, any programme-specific handling fee and certain personal expenses are not covered.
Can Indian students apply?
Indian nationals can apply if they meet the nationality rules, have not previously participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands, meet the academic and age requirements, and apply to an eligible master’s programme.
Can students who are still pursuing their bachelor’s degree apply?
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of their chosen master’s programme. Final-year bachelor’s students may apply if the programme permits it and they can satisfy all applicable admission conditions and deadlines. Check the specific programme’s requirements before applying.
Is work experience mandatory?
The scholarship does not impose a universal work-experience requirement. However, a particular master’s programme may require relevant work experience.
Is there an application fee?
The scholarship application page does not list a separate scholarship application fee. However, an eligible master’s programme may require an admission handling fee, which is not covered by the scholarship.
Can I apply if I already have a master’s degree?
The university gives preference to candidates who have not yet obtained a master’s degree. Having one does not automatically make an applicant ineligible under the general rules, but it may affect competitiveness.
Is accommodation included?
A room is allocated to scholarship recipients until 16 July 2028, and the living allowance includes a housing budget. Students in two-year master’s programmes must arrange and pay for housing after the allocated accommodation period.
How competitive is the scholarship?
Maastricht University states that approximately 2% of applicants receive the scholarship. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection.
Full description
Apply for the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–28 to pursue an eligible master’s degree in the Netherlands with comprehensive financial support. The scholarship is designed for talented international students from outside the EU/EEA and combines a tuition-fee waiver with a monthly living allowance, health and liability insurance, visa costs, and other specified study-related expenses.
Maastricht University offers 18 scholarships each academic year through this programme. The award is highly competitive, and applicants must meet strict academic, nationality, age and programme-specific requirements.
Applications are open from 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027. However, applicants must complete their application for an eligible master’s programme by 10 December 2026 to qualify for scholarship consideration.
What Is the NL-High Potential Scholarship?
The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship combines the university’s High Potential Scholarship with the Dutch NL Scholarship. It supports talented international students pursuing eligible full-time master’s programmes at Maastricht University.
The programme aims to attract academically outstanding students who can contribute to the university’s international community. In addition to financial assistance, recipients participate in preparatory training and are expected to act as scholarship ambassadors during and after their studies.
Only eligible master’s programmes are included. Applicants must check the university’s official list before submitting their applications.
Are There Hidden Charges?
Although the scholarship is advertised as fully funded, some expenses are not covered. Applicants should budget for these before accepting an offer.
| Expense | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Covered |
| Monthly living expenses | €1,550 allowance |
| Health and liability insurance | Covered |
| Visa application costs | Covered at cost |
| Pre-academic training | Covered at cost |
| International Student Ambassador Programme | Covered for the first block |
| International flights | Not covered; the student pays |
| Initial accommodation cleaning fee | Approximately €75, payable upfront |
| Programme-specific handling fee | Not covered if required |
| Accommodation after 16 July 2028 for a two-year master’s | Student must arrange and pay for it |
| Personal expenses exceeding the allowance | Student pays any excess |
Important costs to plan for
International airfare: Flights to and from the Netherlands are not included in the scholarship. Applicants should budget for their own travel.
Accommodation cleaning fee: The university states that an initial cleaning fee of approximately €75 must be paid upfront to Maastricht Housing. This is separate from the scholarship allowance.
Programme handling fee: Some master’s programmes may require a handling fee during admission. The university’s International Services Desk does not cover it. Check the admission requirements of your chosen programme and pay any required fee by 10 December 2026.
Second-year housing: Students receiving the scholarship for a two-year master’s programme must find and finance accommodation after the allocated room arrangement ends on 16 July 2028.
Personal expenses: The €1,550 monthly allowance is a budget for living expenses, not an unlimited expense account. Costs above the allowance may need to be paid from personal funds.
Bottom line: The scholarship covers major study and living costs, but students should have sufficient funds for airfare, the initial cleaning fee, any programme-specific handling fee and expenses not covered by the allowance.
Required Application Documents
Prepare the following documents for the scholarship application:
- Curriculum vitae: An up-to-date CV, no longer than two A4 pages.
- Motivation letter: Use the university’s official scholarship motivation-letter template.
- Proof of academic excellence: An official transcript or document showing a GPA of at least 7.5/10 or an accepted equivalent.
- Grading-system explanation: A document explaining how your university calculates grades.
- Personal statement of financial need: Explain your circumstances and why receiving the scholarship would make a difference.
- Reference letter: A dated letter from an eligible professor, lecturer or employer, following the university’s reference guidelines. The letter must be dated no earlier than February 2026.
- Referee contact details: Include the referee’s relationship to you, work telephone number and institutional or work email address.
The university requires applicants to upload the reference letter themselves. It does not accept family members as referees. Ensure every document is complete before submitting because the university states that applications cannot be amended after submission.
Final Note
The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is a valuable opportunity for academically strong international students seeking a master’s degree in the Netherlands. It covers tuition and major living expenses, but applicants must account for airfare, the initial cleaning fee, any programme-specific handling fee and housing costs after the allocated accommodation period for two-year programmes.
Before applying, confirm that your chosen master’s programme participates in the scholarship, complete the admission application by 10 December 2026 and submit the scholarship application by 1 February 2027.
Explore more scholarships, fellowships, internships and global opportunities on Potenue.
All quick facts
- Opportunity Type
- International master’s scholarship
- Host Institution
- Maastricht University
- Location
- Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Duration
- 13 months for a one-year master’s; 25 months for a two-year master’s
- Mode
- Full-time, on-campus study
- Nationality
- Non-EU/EEA applicants, excluding nationals of Switzerland and Suriname
- Minimum Degree Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent qualification that meets the chosen master’s programme’s admission requirements
- Degree Timeline
- Applicants must have applied to an eligible master’s programme for 2027–28 and meet its admission requirements; final-year bachelor’s students may apply if they satisfy the programme’s conditions
- Age Limit
- Not older than 35 on 1 September 2027
- Academic Requirement
- Latest transcript must show a GPA of at least 7.5/10 or an equivalent grade, such as 75% where applicable
- Work Experience
- None
- Application Deadline
- 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET
- Master’s Admission Deadline
- Complete application file by 10 December 2026
- Application Fee
- Depends on the master’s programme; any required programme handling fee is the applicant’s responsibility
- Stipend / Salary / Financial Support
- €1,550 per month for living expenses, tuition-fee coverage, health and liability insurance, visa application costs, pre-academic training and specified programme costs
