Radboud University in the Netherlands has officially opened the Radboud Scholarship Programme 2026, a highly selective partial tuition scholarship designed for outstanding non-EU / non-EEA international students aiming to begin an English-taught Master’s degree in the 2026–2027 academic cohort. This opportunity remains available for applications until January–February 2026, making it one of the most competitive European scholarships to target early.
This article breaks down what the Radboud Scholarship Programme 2026 offers, who it is meant for, which faculties are involved, how much financial relief it provides, and what international applicants must prepare to remain eligible for selection.
What Type of Opportunity Is This?
The Radboud Scholarship Programme is a merit-based, faculty-selected Master’s scholarship offered by Radboud University, Netherlands, exclusively for talented students from outside the EU/EEA. It supports full-time enrolment in eligible English-taught Master’s programmes starting 1 September 2026.
The scholarship does not fund living expenses but significantly reduces tuition fees and covers key immigration-related costs, making Dutch higher education far more accessible for high-achieving international students.
What Does the Radboud Scholarship 2026 Offer?
Selected scholars for the 2026–2027 academic year receive a substantial tuition fee reduction, lowering the standard non-EEA tuition fee to €2,695 for the year. In addition to this reduction, the scholarship also covers the costs of a Dutch visa, residence permit, health insurance, and liability insurance through the Aon Student Insurance scheme.
While living and study expenses in the Netherlands are not covered, the Radboud Scholarship remains one of the most financially impactful partial scholarships in Europe due to its tuition reduction value.
For the 2026–2027 intake, up to 33 scholarships will be awarded across the following faculties:
- Faculty of Arts (4)
- Faculty of Law (4)
- Nijmegen School of Management (6)
- Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies (3)
- Faculty of Science (8)
- Faculty of Social Sciences (8)
For students admitted to two-year Master’s programmes, continuation of the scholarship into the second year depends on successfully passing all first-year courses.
Eligibility Checks – Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet all eligibility conditions to be considered for the Radboud Scholarship Programme 2026. Candidates must hold a non-EU / non-EEA passport and must not be eligible for the lower EU/EEA tuition fee for any reason. They must have completed, or be on track to complete, a Bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands, with no previous degree obtained in the Netherlands and no prior Dutch education, except for short exchange programmes that were part of a foreign Bachelor’s degree.
Applicants must fully meet the English language proficiency requirements of their chosen Master’s programme and must receive formal admission to an eligible English-taught Master’s degree at Radboud University starting 1 September 2026. They must also be able to comply with Dutch visa and residence permit conditions and commit to full-time enrolment at Radboud University for the academic year and programme for which the scholarship is awarded.
All English-taught Master’s programmes are eligible except Erasmus Mundus and joint-degree programmes.
How Selection Is Made?
Scholarship recipients are selected at the faculty level and assessed individually. Selection is based on academic excellence, including outstanding grades, academic achievements, publications, and the relevance of the applicant’s prior degree to the chosen Master’s programme. The ranking and reputation of the applicant’s previous university are also considered.
Beyond academics, strong emphasis is placed on ambition and motivation, evaluated through the Master’s programme motivation letter, prior achievements, professional experience, internships, volunteering, and extracurricular activities. The quality of two reference letters, preferably academic, plays a critical role in final selection decisions. Some programmes may include interviews as part of the evaluation process.
Admission to a Master’s programme does not automatically guarantee selection for the scholarship, as both processes are assessed separately.
Apply: https://www.ru.nl/en/education/scholarships/radboud-scholarship-programme
Application Deadlines for Radboud Scholarship 2026
Applicants must submit their Master’s and scholarship application through the OSIRIS Application System.
The final deadline to submit the initial application in OSIRIS is 31 January 2026 at 23:59 CEST. After submission, applications are reviewed by the Student Admissions Office, and applicants may be asked to correct or complete documents and pay the handling fee.
The absolute deadline for a fully complete application is 14 February 2026 at 23:59 CEST. Incomplete applications will not be considered for the scholarship selection. Applicants are strongly advised to submit proof of English language proficiency before this final deadline.
Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be informed of the final scholarship decision before mid-April 2026, subject to minor scheduling changes.