Scholarship of the month: NL Scholarship
The NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship) is designed for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the Netherlands.
Seeta Bhardwa
Share
Applications for the NL Scholarship 2025-26 are currently open. Deadlines are specific to each participating institution so make sure you check your chosen university website for further information.
This scholarship, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science along with various Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences, offers an opportunity for students worldwide to study in the Netherlands.
The scholarship grants a one-off payment of €5,000 to recipients in the first year of their studies. It’s important to note that this scholarship does not cover the full tuition fees.
To be eligible for the NL Scholarship, applicants must meet several criteria. First, they must be a non-EEA national. Second, they need to have applied for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s programme at one of the participating Dutch higher education institutions.
Additionally, applicants must ensure they meet the specific requirements set by their chosen institution, which can be found on the institution’s website. These may include specific application forms, recommendation letters, personal statements and questionnaires, depending on individual programmes.
Finally, applicants should not already hold a degree from an educational institution in the Netherlands.
Students can apply through their chosen university’s website and can contact their university for any further details.
Best universities in the Netherlands
Everything you need to know about studying in the Netherlands
The cost of studying at a university in the Netherlands
The list of participating institutions may vary each year.
The participating research universities for 2025-26 include:
- Utrecht University
- University of Groningen
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Maastricht University
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- Radboud University Nijmegen
- Delft University of Technology
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- University of Twente
- Theological University Apeldoorn
- Theological University Kampen
The participating universities of applied sciences include:
- Aeres University of Applied Sciences
- Amsterdam University of the Arts
- ArtEZ Institute of the Arts
- Breda University of Applied Sciences
- Codarts Rotterdam
- Design Academy Eindhoven
- Fontys University of Applied Sciences
- Gerrit Rietveld Academie
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences
- Hanze University of Applied Sciences
- Hotelschool The Hague
- Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
- University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
- HAN University of Applied Sciences
- HKU University of Applied Sciences
- HZ University of Applied Sciences
- NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
- Saxion University
- University of the Arts, The Hague
- Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
Find out more about scholarships for international students here.
