Scholarships for international students in the Netherlands 2026: Erasmus Mundus, Amsterdam Merit, Utrecht Fellowship. Tuition, application deadlines &
Scholarships for International Students in the Netherlands 2026
The Netherlands attracts 100,000+ international students annually with world-class universities, English-taught degrees, and growing scholarship opportunities. Netherlands scholarships are increasingly competitive, but well-organized students can secure partial or full funding.
Dutch University Merit Scholarships
University of Amsterdam, University of Utrecht, and Erasmus University Rotterdam offer merit-based scholarships to international students based on academic excellence. Many Dutch universities participate in Erasmus Mundus joint-degree programs, which provide full scholarships (tuition + living allowance of €14,000/year) to students pursuing dual degrees across European universities. Erasmus Mundus covers 80% of scholarship value, with universities funding remaining 20%.
Tuition & Living Costs
International bachelor’s degrees cost €6,000-12,000/year; master’s degrees €8,000-15,000/year. Living expenses in Amsterdam average €1,200-1,500/month; outside major cities, budget €900-1,100. Many scholarships provide partial coverage (€3,000-5,000 annually) requiring students to self-fund remaining costs. Research assistantships and teaching fellowships often provide tuition waivers plus modest living stipends.
| University | Scholarship Program | Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Amsterdam | Amsterdam Merit Scholarship | €6,000-25,000/year | Jan 31 |
| University of Utrecht | Fellowship Programme | €24,000/year | Dec 15 |
| Erasmus University | Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Full tuition + €14,000/year | Jan 15 |
| Leiden University | Leiden Fellowship | €6,000-30,000/year | Jan 31 |
Government Grants & External Funding
The Dutch government funds limited scholarships for students from developing countries through the Dutch Fellowship Programme. US students should explore Fulbright Netherlands and Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship programs. Many American foundations and corporations offer overseas study grants—research foundation databases like FoundationCenter and Scholarships.com. Corporate sponsors (Shell, Unilever, Philips) offer discipline-specific scholarships in engineering, business, and science.
Application Timeline & Strategy
Apply to universities 12 months before intended enrollment. Submit scholarship applications simultaneously with university applications—most scholarships require proof of acceptance. Compile strong academic records, test scores (GRE/GMAT), and compelling essays explaining how Dutch education aligns with your career goals. For Erasmus Mundus, emphasize European dimension and cross-cultural benefits.
Related: General Scholarships for International Students, Best Universities in Europe 2026
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Source: The College Monk — Based on data from 3,837 U.S. universities. Last updated July 2026.
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