Bursary Description
Scholarship Description:
The Maastricht University (UM) NL-High Potential Scholarship program provides 24 full scholarships per academic year, each valued at €30,000. This includes covering tuition fees and providing a monthly stipend. These scholarships are intended for exceptionally talented students from non-European Union (EU) countries who have gained admission to a master’s program at UM.
The scholarship program is a combination of the High Potential Scholarship, which is supported by the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund, and the NL Scholarship, which is funded through the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in collaboration with Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences. It specifically targets international students from outside the EU/EEA who aspire to pursue a complete degree program in the Netherlands.
About the University:
Maastricht University (UM) is a prestigious academic institution located in the historic city of Maastricht, the Netherlands. Established in 1976, it has quickly earned a reputation for excellence in both research and education. UM is known for its innovative Problem-Based Learning (PBL) teaching method, which fosters active student engagement and critical thinking. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines, with a particular focus on internationalization and interdisciplinarity. Maastricht University has consistently ranked among the top universities in the world and is recognized for its strong emphasis on societal impact and addressing global challenges through research and education.
Maastricht University places a strong emphasis on internationalization, with a diverse and inclusive student body that hails from over 100 different countries. This international perspective is reflected in the university’s programs, research initiatives, and collaborations. UM’s commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in its various research centers and projects that tackle complex global issues, including health, sustainability, and technological advancements. The university’s campus is situated in the heart of Maastricht, a vibrant and picturesque city known for its rich history and cultural diversity, making it an ideal setting for students to thrive academically and personally.
Maastricht University is recognized for its commitment to making a positive impact on society. Its focus on research that addresses real-world challenges and its dedication to providing scholarships and opportunities for talented students from around the world demonstrate its dedication to social responsibility. With a combination of academic excellence, a multicultural environment, and a forward-thinking approach to education and research, Maastricht University stands as a respected institution in the global academic landscape.
Degree Level:
Maastricht University NL- High Potential Scholarship 2024, Netherlands. (Fully Funded) is available to undertake Masters level programs at Maastricht University.
Available Subjects:
Following subject are available to study under this scholarship program.
- All Subjects
Scholarship Benefits:
- Living expenses for 13 months amount to €12,350, and for 25 months, it’s €23,750. These funds are disbursed to students by the UM International Services Desk.
- Health and liability insurance cost €700, and this expense is covered and arranged by the UM International Services Desk.
- The cost of visa application is €210, and this process is facilitated and paid for by the UM International Services Desk.
- Tuition fees will be based on the specific costs applicable to the program, and these fees will be handled and paid for by the UM International Services Desk.
- Pre-Academic Training costs will also be determined based on the program’s requirements, and these expenses will be arranged and paid for by the UM International Services Desk.
- Please note that the mentioned amounts are subject to change for the academic year 2024-2025.
Eligible Nationalities:
This scholarship is open to international students.
Eligibility Criteria:
All candidates must meet the following requirements:
- You hold nationality in a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland or Surinam and meet the requirements for obtaining an entry visa and residence permit for the Netherlands.
- You do not hold a double nationality from an EU/EEA country.
- You have applied for admission to a participating full-time master programme at Maastricht University (participating programmes) for the 2024-2025 academic year.
- You meet the specific admission requirements of the UM master programme to which you have applied.
- You have never participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands. Students who have completed exchange programmes in the Netherlands are welcome to apply.
- You are not older than 35 years of age on 1 September 2024.
- You have obtained excellent results during your prior education programmes, as demonstrated by your latest grade transcript or certified by academic excellence. If several applicants are equally qualified, UM will give preference to applicants whose academic transcript or certified letter of academic excellence demonstrate that they are among the top 5% of the 2024-2025 scholarship programme applicants.
Please note, this is a very competitive scholarship, only 2% of the applicants get awarded the scholarship.
Application Procedure:
Step 1: Register for one of the participating master programmes at UM (participating programmes)
For further details on how to register for a master programme at UM, please see your prospective programme’s webpage. Once you have submitted your application via Studielink, you will receive a student ID number for UM. You will need a student number in order to complete and submit the Scholarship Application Form (see Step 2 below).
Please note: only the master programmes in the list above are eligible for a UM NL-High Potential Scholarship.
Please note: you first have to apply for the master programme at UM to receive your student ID, as soon as you have your student ID you can apply for the scholarship. However, you must be conditionally approved for admission to your master programme in order to be awarded a scholarship.
Please note: if your study programme requires the payment of a handling fee as part of your programme’s admissions procedure, the UM International Services Desk does not cover handling fees. You are responsible for paying any handling fee your programme may require by 1 February 2024. To check whether your programme requires the payment of a handling fee, please check your programme’s webpage under the menu tab ‘Admission requirements’.
Step 2: Please fill in the application form, you need to log in with your UM account
Please use this link to fill out the application form. We can only accept applications via the application form.
Upload the following documents in .doc, .docx or PDF format, and submit your application. Please note that you will only be able to submit your application once, so please ensure that all of your documents and referee contact details are up-to-date. If you have applied for multiple UM study programmes, the UM International Services Desk will ensure that your complete scholarship application is considered for all eligible programmes for which you have a conditionally approved or approved admissions status.
- Curriculum vitae
Your CV should be up-to-date, contain relevant information about your education and (job) experience, and should not be longer than two A4 pages. - Letter of motivation
Please use the template for the motivation letter. This template will focus on your motivation for the scholarship. - Proof of academic excellence
You may upload one of the following documents in order to prove your academic excellence:
1. Your university transcript that explicitly states your grade point average or class ranking (i.e. first class honours) for your entire study programme; or,
2. A letter signed by your institution’s Head of Department or Registrar stating that you are one of the top 20 students in the graduating year of your study programme. Please ensure that the letter contains the contact details of your Head of Department or Registrar. Personal statement of financial needs. Please explain why you would benefit from being awarded a scholarship and describe your personal circumstances such as financial difficulty, sole parent/caretaking responsibilities, medical condition, disability, refugee status etc.
A reference letter. We have prepared scholarship reference letter guidelines; please forward them to your referee, as they will help your referee to write a good reference letter on your behalf. Please note that referees must be (former) professors, lecturers, or employers, and not family members. Recommendation letters should be dated and written no earlier than February 2024.
- The contact details of one referee
Please note that we might check the authenticity of your referee by contacting your referee. Therefore, ensure that you take the following steps when choosing a referee and submitting their details:
– Relationship to applicant; indicate your referee’s connection to you. Is this your professor, thesis supervisor, employer? Please remember that family members may not function as referees.
– Work telephone number of your referee; be sure to include the applicable country calling code.
– Work or institutional email address of your referee. Letters referencing only a personal email address will be rejected.