Applications for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES) at Utrecht University in the Netherlands are now open. The scholarship is for one year and will start on 01 September 2025. This program is one of the significant scholarships at a leading European university for non-EU/EEA students. If you are a non-EU/EEA national, or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway, apply now for your desired master’s degree at the University of Utrecht.

Details

• Application Deadline: 01 February 2026 (23:59 CET)
• Results Published: Mid-April 2026
• Program Start Date: 1 September 2026
• University: Utrecht University
• Duration: 1 year (extendable)
• Location: Netherlands
• Study Level: Master’s
• Funded By: Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES) Fund
• Fields of Study: Several

Benefits of the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship takes two forms:

• Student’s tuition fee, or
• Student’s tuition fee plus the income required for a one-year study;
• The income should be linked to a residence permit for the study program as determined by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants who wish to apply for a Utrecht Excellence Scholarship should meet the following criteria:

• Applicant should belong to the top 10% of their graduating class by demonstrating a letter or a class ranking certificate;
• Not hold an EU/EEA passport and not qualify for support under the Dutch system of study awards and loans;
• Have completed their secondary school and bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands;
  • Applicants must have applied for an international master’s program at the University starting 1 September 2025. Read more about Master’s programs here and check if UES relates to them.
• Applicants must apply for a Master’s program; otherwise, their UES application will not be successful.

Selection Criteria

Selection for a scholarship takes place based on the following criteria:

• Academic merit and commitment in the proposed field of study;
• Previous qualifications’ academic quality and results belong to the top 10% of the class; proofs can be a class ranking certificate, statement/reference letter signed and stamped by an earlier University, or GPA with grade distribution summary.
• The quality and significance of the motivation letter for the Master’s program (academic content, personal motivation, and intercultural and communication skills);
• The quality of the application for the existing Master’s scholarship itself (accuracy, completeness, and consistency);

Required Document

Applicants should provide the following required documents:

• The class ranking certificate shows that the applicant belongs to the top 10% of their class.
• Previous education papers such as certificates, transcripts, etc. (in English);
• Scan of passport valid at the start of the program;
• Proof of English language competency;
• Reference letter signed and stamped by the applicant’s University;
• Motivation letter;
• Any supporting documents are required.

How Do You Apply for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship?

Eligible applicants can apply online for this scholarship by following the steps below:

1. Applicants should apply for a UU master’s program that is covered by UES funding. After applying to a Master’s program, the applicant can apply for one Utrecht Excellence Scholarship through an online application.
2. The applicant will see the UES application(s) in their OSIRIS Online Application account dashboard.
3. Click View or Edit for the UES linked (related process) to the program the applicant wants to apply.
4. Then, upload the requested proof of belonging to the top 10% of your class, answer the questions, and submit the application.

Apply Now

For more details, please visit the Utrecht University – Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Official Website.

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