Scholarship in Holland: All you need to know

If the canal-lined cities, tulip fields, rural villages and old windmills of the Netherlands catch your eye, reading our guide to the best scholarships to study in the Netherlands will help you learn about your options for 2025. The country isn’t only known for its natural beauty and innovative culture, but also for its quality education. In fact, it has established itself as one of the most attractive educational destinations in Europe, with some of the best universities in the world and a wide range of scholarships that facilitate access to quality education for international students.

Join us as we explore the best scholarship proposals for studying in the Netherlands in 2025. We tell you what are the requirements to apply for them, what facilities they offer, which are the best universities in the country and we give you tips that will help you increase your chances of being chosen as a beneficiary of the scholarship.

Why study in the Netherlands?

Before we tell you about the best scholarships to study in the Netherlands, we’ll introduce you to this wonderful destination and why you should consider it when thinking about a scholarship to study abroad.

The Netherlands has one of the oldest higher education systems in the world. In addition to the excellent reputation of the system itself, the universities have made their merit to be ranked among the best in the world. It’s therefore no surprise that it’s one of the most popular destinations in Europe for foreign students. In addition, its thriving and competitive economy increases the desire to stay in the country once you have completed your studies. From an agricultural nation to a modern tech hub where start-ups play a major role, in the Netherlands you’ll have more than one job opportunity that will allow you to implement what you have learnt in your studies. On top of that, its high quality of life, with a predominance of sports (especially cycling), makes studying in the Netherlands even more attractive.

Now, if you’re already looking forward to studying in the land of canals, you’ll be glad to know that its universities offer affordable tuition fees, a broad portfolio of English-language programmes and a vibrant student life. Even so, you may find the costs of studying abroad excessive. In this sense, having a scholarship to study in the Netherlands represents a significant saving in academic and living expenses.

By the way, another way to save money while studying abroad is with Holafly’s global internet plan. Not only will you be able to stay in touch with your family, but you will also be able to surf the web without the hassle and expense of international roaming. With this type of plan, participating in video calls without interruptions and downloading files (such as lectures or study material) will be very easy.

By 2025, the Netherlands will be a benchmark in terms of facilities for foreign students. From government scholarships to programmes offered by private institutions, there’s no shortage of options to support global talent. This, coupled with the quality of life, safety and dynamism of the labour market, makes the Netherlands an ideal destination for those looking to grow academically and professionally.

The 5 best scholarships to study in the Netherlands

Now that you know the reasons why studying in the Netherlands is an excellent idea, we are going to tell you about some of the most suitable scholarships for foreign students.

First, another thing you need to know is that the Netherlands has a binary system of higher education. This means that you’ll be able to choose between research-oriented programmes (offered by research universities) and higher professional education schemes, offered by universities of applied sciences. In both cases, they are financed by the State.

Now, let’s take a look at the top 5 scholarships to study in the Netherlands:

1. NL Scholarship

The NL Scholarship (formerly known as the Holland Scholarship) is one of the most popular scholarships for international students wishing to study in the Netherlands. It’s aimed at all foreign nationals living outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to study for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the country. The scholarship was designed by the Dutch government and is funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, as well as by research universities and Universities of Applied Sciences. It’s ideal for all foreign students looking to finance part of their studies in a highly prestigious institution.

Scholarship details

• General requirements:
  • Be a citizen of a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
  • Have an outstanding academic record.
  • Have been accepted in a Master’s programme at a Flemish university.
  • Not having previously studied in the Netherlands.
• Coverage and benefits:
  • A one-off grant of €5,000 ($5,234.83), paid during the first year.
  • It doesn’t cover tuition, accommodation or other expenses.
• Type of studies offered:
  • Undergraduate and Master’s programmes.
• Addressed to:
  • International students interested in various academic areas.
  • Young people with an outstanding academic record.
• How to apply?
  • Through the host university. Each institution has a specific process, so you should check their official website.
• Opening date: January.
  • The period of the call is from December to May. There are two closing dates: 1 February or 1 May 2025 (this varies between universities)

2. Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)

The Orange Knowledge Programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is another of the best scholarship options for studying in the Netherlands. It’s aimed at professionals who wish to improve their skills in the areas of agriculture, food security, health and governance, and aims to boost capacity building in developing countries.

Scholarship details

• General requirements:
  • Be a national of an eligible country (listed on their website).
  • Relevant work experience.
  • Demonstrate competence in English or Dutch, depending on the programme.
  • Be admitted to a short course or master’s degree at a participating Dutch institution.
• Coverage and benefits:
  • Full enrolment.
  • Subsidies for travel, accommodation, food and medical insurance.
  • Financial support for academic materials.
• Type of studies offered:
  • Short courses and master’s programmes.
• Addressed to:
  • Professionals in key sectors with at least two years of work experience.
• How to apply?
  • Through the selected educational institution, managed by Nuffic.
• Opening and closing date and closing date
  • The call for applications for the programme opens in February each year. The closing date is between March and June and depends on each institution,

3. Utrecht Excellence Scholarships

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is a scholarship offered by the prestigious University of Utrecht, which is one of the best in the country. It’s designed for international students with an outstanding academic record, with a focus on excellence and comprehensive coverage for advanced programmes.

Scholarship details

• General requirements:
  • Be a non-EEA citizen.
  • Have an outstanding academic record (you must be in the top 10% of your graduating class).
  • Have completed secondary school and/or a bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands.
  • Be accepted in a master’s programme at the University of Utrecht.
• Coverage and benefits:
  • Full or partial exemption from tuition fees.
  • Allowance of up to €11,000 ($11,516.64) per year for living expenses.
• Type of studies offered:
  • Master’s degrees in various disciplines.
• Addressed to:
  • International students with outstanding academic performance.
• How to apply?
  • By completing the university application form, you automatically participate in the selection process.
• Opening and closing date and closing date
• The deadline to apply for the scholarship is 1 February. After this time the application portal closes and the selection process begins. The results will be published in mid-April.

4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)

The Erasmus Mundus programme is a European Union initiative that allows students to pursue joint master’s degrees at multiple European universities, including many Dutch institutions. It’s perfect for those seeking a multicultural experience and interdisciplinary training.

Scholarship details

• General requirements:
  • Not be a resident of any of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein.
  • Have been accepted in a Master’s programme at a Flemish university.
  • Meet the established language requirements.
  • You haven’t carried out your main activity (be it studies, work, tourism, etc.) for more than 12 months in the last five years in one of the countries of the European Union, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein.
• Coverage and benefits:
  • Full payment of tuition fees.
  • Travel and living allowance ($1,400 per month)
  • Health insurance included.
• Type of studies offered:
  • Joint Master’s Degrees.
• Addressed to:
  • International students from any country interested in mobility experiences.
• How to apply?
  • Directly to the consortium of the selected programme.
• Opening and closing date
  • The opening date of the call for applications is in October and the deadline for applications is between January and March, although this may vary from one university to another.

5. TU Delft Excellence Scholarships

The Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) offers this scholarship for international students pursuing master’s degrees in areas related to engineering and technology. Globally recognised, this institution stands out for its innovation.

Scholarship details

• General requirements:
  • Academic excellence.
  • To be admitted to a Master’s programme at TU Delft.
  • Submit a letter of motivation and academic references.
• Coverage and benefits:
  • Full enrolment.
  • Allowance of up to €30,000 ($31,409) per year for living expenses.
• Type of studies offered:
  • Master’s degrees.
• Addressed to:
  • International students with outstanding academic performance.
• How to apply?
  • Via the application form for Master’s degrees at TU Delft.
• Opening and closing date
  • The call for applications for the scholarship starts in October and the deadline is between December and January.

How to win a scholarship to study in the Netherlands? 10 practical tips

It’s normal that fears or insecurities arise when applying for a scholarship. You may also find the process confusing or competitive. To make the task easier, here are some tips to help you submit a solid application and feel more confident and secure during the process. The aim is that if you have the possibility to apply for one of the scholarships to study in the Netherlands, don’t miss it. On the contrary, you can make the most of your potential and stand out from the rest of the participants.

Take note of these 10 tips to win a scholarship to study in the Netherlands:

1- Research scholarships that match your profile and objectives

It’s recommended to compare several options and choose the one that fits your needs and budget. To do this, take the time to study each scholarship, paying special attention to the requirements and benefits of each case. Note that, for example, the NL Scholarship is aimed at undergraduate and Master’s programmes, while the Orange Knowledge Programme is designed for professionals.

A personalised application demonstrating that you fit the profile of the programme will greatly increase your chances of success.

2. Highlight your academic record

Don’t be afraid to be arrogant, universities and scholarship programmes in the Netherlands place a high value on academic excellence. Therefore, if you have a good GPA, awards or distinctions, don’t forget to mention it. In fact, these requirements are often indispensable to become a beneficiary, so be sure to include certificates and documents supporting your academic performance. Additional achievements such as publications, outstanding projects or academic recognition can make a difference.

3. Demonstrate your command of the language

Most programmes in the Netherlands require an advanced level of English. Therefore, if you don’t feel confident in this respect, try to take a preparatory course to gain confidence. Note that tests such as TOEFL or IELTS not only prove your language skills, but are often a requirement for applying for some scholarships. Preparing properly for these tests and scoring well will increase your chances.

4. Write an exceptional cover letter

Most scholarships to study in the Netherlands will ask you to submit a letter of motivation. Basically, you have to tell why you want to study in the country and how that aligns with your personal goals. This is your moment to shine, to stand out from the rest of the applicants.

Try to be original or concise in your reasons why you choose the Netherlands and how you plan to contribute to your community or field of study after graduation. Avoid generic phrases and use concrete examples that reflect your goals and aspirations. You can even ask a teacher or mentor to review your letter before sending it.

5. Prepare solid references

To strengthen your application you can include letters of recommendation from teachers, employers or mentors. Nothing better than people who know you well to highlight your strengths in a detailed and convincing way. Let them know in good time and provide them with information about the scholarship so that they can adapt the letter to the specific requirements.

6. Be proactive with documentation and meet the time lines for each grant

Another key aspect that will help you win the scholarship is to submit all the required documentation correctly. These often require various documents, such as academic certificates, language test results, passport and more. Therefore, a good tip is to make a list of everything you need to submit to make sure you are not missing anything. Having everything in order and ready before the deadline can avoid last-minute setbacks.

In addition to this, make sure you submit your documentation within the stipulated deadlines. It’ll do you no good to have all your documents in order if you submit them after the closing date. Although we provide details of the call dates for each scholarship, we recommend that you check this once you have chosen the institution or programme.

7. Research the university or institution

This is another key point, since the first thing you need to do is to get to know the university or institution where you are going to study. In addition, showing that you have a thorough knowledge of the university or academic programme can set you apart from other candidates. Explain why you chose that institution and how its values or approach are aligned with your personal goals. Also try to include specific details about the institution’s programmes, professors or projects that interest you.

8. Participate in extracurricular activities

The Netherlands is looking for students with well-rounded profiles. If, in addition to a good academic record, you can show that you’re involved in volunteering, associations, social projects or extracurricular activities, you will have a better chance of being selected. Seek to highlight activities that show leadership, teamwork and social commitment.

9. Seek professional support

If you feel overwhelmed by the process, consider seeking career guidance. There are consultants and platforms to help you prepare your application and maximise your chances. In addition, many universities offer free counselling services for prospective students. Take advantage of these resources!

10. Be persistent and patient

As the famous phrase goes, “persevere and you will succeed”. Winning a scholarship is a competitive process and, although rejection may be part of the journey, it doesn’t mean that you should give up. Learn from each attempt and improve your application for the next call. In addition, you can always resort to a plan B and apply for multiple scholarships to increase your chances.

Which are the best universities in the Netherlands?

It isn’t only important to know the best scholarship options for studying in the Netherlands, but it also helps to know which are the most prestigious universities in the country. The good news is that there are many outstanding institutions in the country, some of them even leading the world rankings. Therefore, you can rest assured that in either case you will have access to quality educational institutions.

According to the QS World University ranking, the University of Amsterdam is ranked number 1 in the Netherlands and 62nd in the world. With more than 30,000 students and an annual budget of €600,000,000 ($628,180,164) it’s one of Europe’s largest in the field of research. In fact, it’s a leading member of the European League of Research Universities. Its academic offer includes more than 200 English language programmes, including master’s, bachelor’s and doctoral courses.

Second place goes to the University of Leiden. Founded in 1575, it’s the oldest university in the Netherlands. It’s among the best institutions for law, political science and medicine, while focusing on research. It’s located in a quiet university town, but close to major cities such as Amsterdam and The Hague. Its multicultural atmosphere is very friendly, with students from all over the world attracted by its English-language master’s programmes.

In third place, we find the University of Utrecht. Renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, it’s one of the largest and most prestigious institutions in the Netherlands. It has the highest graduation rate in the country and multiple global awards for its research and teaching quality. It offers a wide range of programmes in English, including master’s and doctoral options, and provides many research opportunities for international students. Its focus is mainly on sustainability, climate change and life sciences.

Scholarships to study the Netherlands, tips and frequently asked questions

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