Job Overview

Maastricht University in the Netherlands is offering 18 full scholarships for international students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Surinam to pursue a Master's degree in the 2027–2028 academic year. The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship combines the university-funded High Potential Scholarship and the Dutch NL Scholarship, making it one of the most comprehensive funding packages available for Master's study in Europe.

This is a fully funded scholarship that covers full tuition fees, living expenses, health and liability insurance, visa application costs, pre-academic training, and accommodation. The scholarship is intended for academically outstanding international students who want to study at one of Europe's leading universities.

Maastricht University is known for its innovative problem-based learning approach, international outlook, and strong research reputation. The scholarship is available for participating full-time Master's programmes for 2027–2028.

If you are searching for scholarships for international students, fully funded Master's scholarships in Europe, or study opportunities in the Netherlands, the UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is an exceptional opportunity. It is best suited for academically excellent graduates from outside the EU/EEA who have a strong GPA, leadership potential, and a genuine need for financial support to pursue their Master's degree.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is more than just financial aid. It is a gateway to a world-class education, a vibrant international community, and a launchpad for your future career.

What makes this opportunity valuable:

• Full financial coverage. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a living allowance of €20,150 for a 13-month Master's programme or €38,750 for a 25-month programme, health and liability insurance, visa application costs, pre-academic training, and the first block of the International Student Ambassador Programme.

• Accommodation provided. A room is allocated as a mandatory part of the scholarship until 16 July 2028. This removes the stress of finding housing in a new country. For two-year Master's programmes, students must arrange their own accommodation for the second year.

• Comprehensive support. Beyond tuition and living costs, the scholarship covers insurance, visa costs, and pre-academic training. This level of support is rare and ensures you can focus entirely on your studies.

• World-class education. Maastricht University is consistently ranked among the top universities in Europe. Its problem-based learning model, international student body, and strong research output make it an excellent choice for ambitious students.

• Ambassador programme. Scholarship recipients participate in the International Student Ambassador Programme, which provides opportunities to develop leadership skills, represent the university, and share their experience with future students.

• Career growth. A Master's degree from Maastricht University, combined with the prestigious NL-High Potential Scholarship, enhances your CV and opens doors to international career opportunities.

• International network. You will join a diverse community of students, researchers, and professionals from around the world. These connections can last a lifetime and open doors to future collaborations.

• Netherlands experience. Studying in the Netherlands gives you access to one of Europe's most dynamic and innovative economies. The country is known for its high quality of life, international outlook, and strong graduate employment prospects.

Application Tips

Competition for the UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is intense—only approximately 2% of applicants receive the scholarship. To give yourself the best chance, follow these practical tips.

• Check your eligibility first. You must:

  • Hold a nationality outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Surinam and meet the Netherlands' visa and residence requirements.

  • Have no dual nationality from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.

  • Apply to a participating full-time Master's programme for 2027–2028.

  • Submit a complete admission application by 10 December 2026.

  • Meet the admission requirements for your selected Master's programme.

  • Never have participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands (previous exchange studies are permitted).

  • Be no older than 35 on 1 September 2027.

  • Have a latest GPA of at least 7.5 out of 10, or an equivalent grade.

  • Agree to participate as a university scholarship ambassador and share your experience.

• Apply for admission early. The deadline for a complete Master's admission application is 10 December 2026, while the scholarship application closes on 1 February 2027. Do not wait until February to begin the admission process. Start early to ensure everything is in order.

• Choose an eligible Master's programme. Review the official participating programmes for 2027–2028 before applying. Make sure your chosen programme is eligible for the scholarship.

• Prepare your documents well in advance. You will need:

  • Updated CV (no longer than two A4 pages).

  • Motivation letter (using the university's official template).

  • Academic transcript or official GPA document showing the required academic results.

  • Grading-system explanation (an official document explaining how your university calculates grades).

  • Personal statement of financial need.

  • Reference letter from a former professor, lecturer, or employer.

  • Referee contact details, including relationship, work telephone number with country code, and institutional or work email address.

• Note the reference letter requirements. Reference letters must be dated no earlier than February 2026. Family members cannot serve as referees. You must upload the reference letter yourself.

• Submit your scholarship application once. The scholarship form can only be submitted once, and the university does not allow documents to be replaced after submission. Review everything carefully before submitting.

• Highlight your academic excellence. The scholarship is for academically outstanding students. Make sure your transcripts and GPA clearly demonstrate your academic achievement.

• Write a compelling motivation letter. Use the university's official template and explain why you want to study at Maastricht University, how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals, and how you will contribute to the university community.

• Demonstrate financial need. The personal statement of financial need is an important part of the application. Explain your financial circumstances and why the scholarship would make a difference.

• Show your leadership potential. The scholarship is not just about academic excellence. It is also about leadership and community engagement. Share examples of how you have led, created change, or served your community.

• Prepare for the interview. Selected candidates will be invited for interviews. Prepare by practising your answers to common questions about your academic background, motivation, and career goals.

• Meet the deadlines. The Master's admission deadline is 10 December 2026. The scholarship application deadline is 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET. Missing either deadline means missing the opportunity.

• Contact the university if you have questions. For questions, the official contact email is hhp.scholarship@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Responsibilities

As a UM NL-High Potential Scholarship recipient, you will be expected to:

Academic Commitment

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout your Master's programme.

• Engage fully with your coursework, research, and academic community.

• Contribute to the intellectual life of Maastricht University.

Ambassador Programme

• Participate in the International Student Ambassador Programme.

• Share your experience with future students and represent the university positively.

• Engage with the university's outreach and promotional activities.

Community Engagement

• Contribute to a diverse and inclusive university community.

• Support fellow students and participate in university events and activities.

• Uphold the values of Maastricht University and the NL-High Potential Scholarship.

Requirements

• Hold a nationality outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Surinam and meet the Netherlands' visa and residence requirements.

• Have no dual nationality from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.

• Apply to a participating full-time Master's programme for 2027–2028 and submit a complete admission application by 10 December 2026.

• Meet the admission requirements for your selected Master's programme.

• Never have participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands. Previous exchange studies are permitted.

• Be no older than 35 on 1 September 2027.

• Have a latest GPA of at least 7.5 out of 10, or an equivalent grade.

• Agree to participate as a university scholarship ambassador and share your experience.

• Applicants who have not yet obtained a Master's degree receive preference.

Required Application Documents

• Updated CV (no longer than two A4 pages).

• Motivation letter (using the university's official template).

• Academic transcript or official GPA document.

• Grading-system explanation.

• Personal statement of financial need.

• Reference letter (dated no earlier than February 2026).

• Referee contact details (relationship, work telephone number with country code, institutional or work email address).

Other Conditions

• Reference letters must be dated no earlier than February 2026.

• Family members cannot serve as referees.

• You must upload the reference letter yourself.

• The scholarship form can only be submitted once.

• Documents cannot be replaced after submission.

• Air tickets are not included.

• An upfront cleaning fee of approximately €75 is excluded.

• Accepting the scholarship means accepting the allocated room.

  
  

  
  

• Full Tuition Fees

  • Covered for the eligible Master's programme.

  Living Expenses

  • €20,150 for a 13-month Master's programme.

  • €38,750 for a 25-month Master's programme.

  Other Covered Costs

  • Health and liability insurance.

  • Visa application costs.

  • Pre-academic training.

  • First block of the International Student Ambassador Programme.

  Accommodation

  • A room is allocated as a mandatory part of the scholarship until 16 July 2028.

  • For a two-year Master's programme, students must arrange their own accommodation for the second year.

  Not Included

  • Air tickets.

  • Upfront cleaning fee of approximately €75.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to apply for the UM NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–2028:

1. Choose an eligible Master's programme. Review the official participating programmes for 2027–2028 and select the one that best fits your academic background and career goals.

2. Apply for admission. Submit your Master's application through Studielink and complete the university's admission requirements by 10 December 2026.

3. Obtain your Maastricht University student number. You need this number to access the scholarship application form.

4. Prepare your application documents. Gather your CV, motivation letter, academic transcript, grading-system explanation, personal statement of financial need, reference letter, and referee contact details.

5. Submit the scholarship application. Use the official NL-High Potential scholarship page and follow the application-form link in its application procedure section.

6. Wait for selection. The university checks applications after the February deadline, conducts selection and interviews, and expects to communicate results by early May 2027.

7. Prepare for the outcome. If selected, you will receive information about accommodation, visa, insurance, and other arrangements. Start your preparations early.

8. Meet both deadlines. Remember that the Master's admission deadline is 10 December 2026, while the scholarship application closes on 1 February 2027. Do not wait until February to begin the admission process.