18 Maastricht Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 in Netherlands: 2 Applications Required

Start with admission, not the scholarship form. Your complete master’s application has an earlier deadline. Use this guide to choose a suitable programme, prepare your evidence and submit both applications in order.

01. Why consider Maastricht for your career?

Choose Maastricht when its subject specialisation and active learning style match your goals. Problem-Based Learning develops discussion, teamwork and analytical skills through an international classroom. For applicants who enjoy explaining ideas and solving problems collaboratively, that is useful preparation for professional work.

The Netherlands also offers eligible Dutch-degree graduates a separately applied-for, one-year orientation residence permit to seek work. Current IND rules allow applications within three years of qualifying graduation and permit work without an employer work permit. This is a career-exploration route, not a job guarantee; rules must be checked again when you graduate.

My recommendation: identify a role or research direction first, then compare the eligible curriculum with the skills it requires.

02. Who qualifies, and what costs remain?

Applicants need eligible nationality, excellent grades and programme admission eligibility. Nationalities outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname qualify; EU/EEA or Swiss dual nationality excludes you. You must be no older than 35 on 1 September 2027, meet Dutch immigration conditions and have no previous Dutch degree-seeking higher-education participation; exchanges are allowed.

UM requires GPA 7.5/10 or its stated equivalent, supported by your institution’s grading explanation. First-master’s candidates receive preference. English requirements belong to the selected programme; do not assume an IELTS waiver.

Rent comes from the living budget. Accepting the allocated room is compulsory; two-year scholars arrange second-year housing. Airfare, the approximate €75 cleaning charge and any admission handling fee remain personal costs. The allocated room cannot accommodate family or pets.

03. How do you apply for the Maastricht scholarship?

Complete programme admission first, then submit the separate scholarship application using your UM account.

1. Match your degree. Use the official 2027–2028 participating-programme list, then review that programme’s entry and English requirements. Not every UM master’s qualifies.
2. Apply for admission. Register through Studielink, obtain your UM student number and finish the university application tasks, including any handling fee, by the earlier deadline.
3. Build your scholarship file. From the official scholarship page, use the motivation template and reference guidelines. Prepare a maximum two-page CV, transcript/GPA and grading explanation, financial-needs statement, reference letter and referee contacts.
4. Submit once. Follow that page’s scholarship-form link and log in with your UM account. Upload DOC, DOCX or PDF documents yourself, including the reference. Subsequent replacement documents are not accepted.

By the scholarship deadline, meet registration requirements except legal residence, tuition payment and the hard-copy diploma. Shortlisted candidates face an online interview and must accept ambassador responsibilities. For future career planning, consult the IND orientation-year rules; this permit is separate from scholarship selection.

04. Before you submit: three applicant questions

05. Maastricht scholarship deadlines: protect both dates