Most universities treat international students as a minority group on campus. Maastricht University (UM) flips that completely. More than 56% of its students come from outside the Netherlands. That single number tells you something important before you even look at the scholarships: this is a university genuinely built around an international student body, not one that simply tolerates it.
For the 2027 intake, UM is offering fully funded scholarships for non-EU/EEA students at both Bachelor’s and Master’s level. Here is exactly what is on offer, and how to actually apply.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Maastricht University UM Netherlands |
| Available for | Non-EU/EEA international students |
| Degree levels | Bachelor’s and Master’s |
| Number of scholarships | 3 separate programs |
| Deadline | 1 February 2027 |
| Duration | 13 months Master’s / 25 months Master’s / 36 months Bachelor’s |
| Coverage | Fully Funded |
Three Scholarships, Three Different Paths
Maastricht does not run a single scholarship competition where everyone competes for the same pot of funding. Each of the three scholarships has its own eligible programs its own criteria and its own applicant pool.
Choosing the right one before you apply is not optional; it is the foundation of a competitive application.
NL-High Potential Scholarship
For Master’s students. This is Maastricht’s flagship international scholarship funded under the Dutch government’s Holland Scholarship framework. It targets academically outstanding candidates applying to specific eligible Master’s programs at UM.
UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship
Also for Master’s students. The Brightlands connection links this scholarship to the Brightlands Smart Services Campus, a knowledge and innovation hub in the region. Eligible programs skew toward technology, data and innovation-related fields though applicants should verify the current eligible program list on UM’s official page.
UM Global Studies Scholarship
This one is for Bachelor’s level only, specifically the Bachelor’s in Global Studies program. It is the only undergraduate scholarship in this round which makes it a distinctive opportunity for strong secondary school graduates from outside Europe.
What Full Funding Actually Covers
All three scholarships carry the same benefit structure:
- Tuition fees for the full program duration
- Living expenses including housing, food and transportation
- Health and liability insurance
- Visa application costs
- Pre-academic training costs, where applicable
The duration of the scholarship matches the program length:
- 13 months for a one-year Master’s program
- 25 months for a two-year Master’s program
- 36 months for the Bachelor’s degree
Who Is Eligible
The eligibility framework is straightforward but firm on a few key points.
You must:
- Hold nationality from a country outside the EU/EEA
- Hold no dual nationality from any EU/EEA country
- Apply for admission to a participating degree program at Maastricht University for the 2027 academic year
- Meet both the admission requirements of your chosen program and the specific criteria of the scholarship you are applying for
The dual nationality clause is the detail most applicants miss. If you hold citizenship from both a non-EU country and any EU/EEA member state you are not eligible regardless of which passport you primarily use or where you currently live.
The Two-Step Process Most Applicants Get Wrong
Maastricht’s scholarship application has a specific sequence. Getting it wrong means starting over.
Step 1: Apply for admission first.
Register for a participating degree program through Studielink the Dutch national enrollment portal. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a UM student ID number.
You cannot access the scholarship application without this number.
Step 2: Complete the scholarship application form.
Log in with your UM account and complete the scholarship form. The university only accepts scholarship applications through this form, no email submissions, no alternative portals.
Documents required:
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation
- Proof of academic excellence
- Personal statement of financial need
- One reference letter
The motivation letter and financial need statement are doing significant work here. They are not formalities. Reviewers use them to assess fit, ambition and genuine need so both deserve serious preparation time.
Note that the full admission application file for the study program must usually be complete by an earlier internal deadline around mid-December. Check the exact date for your program.
Checking Program Eligibility | Do This Before Anything Else
Each scholarship only covers specific programs at Maastricht. Applying to a program that is not on the eligible list for your chosen scholarship disqualifies you automatically, even if your academic profile is strong.
The eligible program lists change between intake cycles. The safest approach is to visit each scholarship’s dedicated page on UM’s official website and confirm your target program appears on the current list before you begin your admission application.
This single step prevents the most common application mistake in competitive Dutch scholarship programs.
