Are you planning to study in the Netherlands in the 2026–2027 academic year and looking for scholarship opportunities? The Netherlands is a popular destination for international students, with a wide range of English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes and scholarship opportunities offered by universities and other organisations.

One of the best-known national opportunities for international students is the NL Scholarship, formerly known as the Holland Scholarship. It is intended for students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to pursue a full-time bachelor’s or master’s programme at a participating Dutch higher education institution.

Important: The NL Scholarship is not a fully funded scholarship. For the 2026–2027 academic year, it provides

€5,000 during the first year and does not cover the full tuition fee

.

Netherlands Scholarships 2026–2027 Overview

The participating institutions for 2026–2027 include universities such as Eindhoven University of Technology, Maastricht University, Radboud University, University of Groningen, University of Twente, Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, and Wageningen University & Research, as well as a number of universities of applied sciences.

What Is the NL Scholarship?

The NL Scholarship is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science together with participating Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences.

Successful students receive €5,000 in their first year of study. Because this amount does not cover all tuition and living costs, students should prepare a complete financial plan before applying.

Who Can Apply?

The general eligibility requirements for the NL Scholarship include:

• You are a citizen of a country outside the EEA.
• You are applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s programme at a participating Dutch institution.
• You meet the specific admission requirements of the university and programme.
• You meet any additional scholarship requirements established by the institution.

Scholarship requirements can vary depending on the university and programme. Other common requirements may include a strong academic record, English-language proficiency, motivation, essays, and relevant academic or professional experience.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

For the 2026–2027 NL Scholarship, selected students receive:

€5,000 during the first year of study.

It is important to understand that this is a partial scholarship, not a full scholarship. Students may still need to pay tuition fees, housing, health insurance, food, transportation, visa-related costs, and other expenses. Study in NL recommends making a financial plan that includes both expected expenses and available sources of funding.

Other Scholarship Opportunities in the Netherlands

The NL Scholarship is not the only source of funding. Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences offer scholarships in different amounts and forms, including university-wide and programme-specific awards.

The official Study in NL website also lists scholarship and funding information and recommends checking directly with your chosen institution because the national scholarship listings are not a complete list of all opportunities.

Students may also encounter opportunities connected with programmes such as Erasmus+, depending on their circumstances and the institution involved. Erasmus+ can support study periods and traineeships, with the exact eligibility rules and grant amount determined by the student’s institution.

How to Apply for Netherlands Scholarships 2026–2027

The application process is not identical for every scholarship. In many cases, you must first apply for admission to your chosen Dutch study programme and then apply for the scholarship through the university.

Step 1: Choose a Study Programme

Start by selecting a bachelor’s or master’s programme that matches your academic background and career goals.

The official Study in NL Studyfinder can be used to search for English-taught programmes and identify scholarship possibilities connected with specific programmes.

Step 2: Check the University Requirements

Visit the official website of your chosen university and read the admission requirements carefully.

Requirements can differ by institution and programme, so do not assume that one university’s requirements apply to another.

Step 3: Check the Scholarship Requirements

Look for the scholarship section on your programme or university website.

Check:

• Nationality requirements
• Academic requirements
• English-language requirements
• Required documents
• Scholarship deadline
• Whether admission and scholarship applications are separate

The Study in NL scholarship guidance recommends checking the institution directly for available scholarships and exact requirements.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Depending on the university and scholarship, you may need documents such as:

• Academic transcripts
• Diploma or degree certificate
• Passport or identification document
• CV or résumé
• Motivation letter
• Scholarship essay
• Proof of English proficiency
• Recommendation letters, where required
• Other programme-specific documents

The exact document list should always be confirmed on the official university website.

Step 5: Apply for Admission

For most Dutch programmes, students first register through Studielink, the official registration and application portal used by many Dutch higher education institutions. However, some institutions use a different process, so you should follow the instructions of the university you choose.

Step 6: Apply for the Scholarship

Some scholarships require a separate scholarship application after you have applied for admission. Others may consider you automatically or use an application process integrated with the programme application.

Study in NL advises students to begin the admission process first because scholarship applications may require an admission offer or proof that your admission application is being considered.

Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline

Deadlines differ by university and programme.

For the NL Scholarship 2026–2027, the national application cycle opened on 1 November 2025, but the closing date depends on the participating institution.

Because it is now August 18, 2026, many September 2026 admission and scholarship deadlines have already passed. Applicants should therefore check whether their chosen institution still has an open intake or whether a February 2027 intake is available.

For example, some programmes list October 1, 2026 as a non-EEA application deadline for a February 2027 start, but deadlines are programme-specific and should be confirmed directly with the university.

General Netherlands University Application Deadlines

Study in NL gives the following general guidance:

• 15 January is the general deadline for numerus fixus programmes.
• 1 May is the general deadline for other programmes.

However, these are general guidelines, and the exact deadline may vary by institution and programme.

For this reason, students should never rely only on a general deadline. Always check the official programme page.

Important Financial Information

A scholarship does not necessarily mean that your entire study and living costs will be paid.

International students should consider:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation
• Food
• Transportation
• Health insurance
• Books and study materials
• Visa and residence costs
• Personal expenses

Study in NL specifically recommends preparing a financial plan before moving to the Netherlands.

Why Study in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands offers a large selection of English-taught programmes and an international academic environment. Study in NL highlights the country’s wide range of English-taught programmes, international community, and career opportunities as reasons students choose the Netherlands.

For international students, studying in the Netherlands can provide the opportunity to gain an internationally recognised education while experiencing life in a highly international country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Netherlands NL Scholarship fully funded?

No. The NL Scholarship provides €5,000 during the first year, so it is a partial scholarship rather than a fully funded scholarship.

Who is eligible for the NL Scholarship?

The scholarship is aimed at students from outside the EEA who are applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s programme at a participating Dutch higher education institution.

Can I apply for a bachelor’s degree?

Yes. The NL Scholarship supports eligible full-time bachelor’s and master’s programmes at participating institutions.

Can I apply for a master’s degree?

Yes. Eligible international students can apply for participating master’s programmes.

Do I need IELTS or another English test?

This depends on the programme and university. English-language requirements are determined by the institution and the specific programme, so applicants should check the official admission page.

Do I apply for admission and the scholarship separately?

It depends on the scholarship and university. Some scholarships require a separate application, while others may have different procedures. Study in NL recommends checking the institution’s scholarship instructions carefully.

Can I study in the Netherlands without a scholarship?

Yes. Students can apply for Dutch higher education programmes without receiving a scholarship, but they must have a realistic plan for tuition fees and living expenses.

Is Studielink the official application system?

Studielink is the official registration and application portal used by many Dutch higher education institutions. However, not every institution or programme necessarily uses it in exactly the same way, so applicants should follow the university’s instructions.

What is the deadline for studying in the Netherlands?

There is no single deadline for all programmes. Study in NL gives 15 January as the general deadline for numerus fixus programmes and 1 May for other programmes, but the exact deadline can vary.

Can I still apply for the 2026–2027 academic year?

It depends on the programme. Since many September 2026 deadlines have already passed, applicants should check individual universities for programmes with remaining deadlines or February 2027 starts. Some programmes may have later deadlines, particularly for February intake.

Where can I find official scholarship information?

The best starting point is the official Study in NL website and the official website of the Dutch university you want to attend. Study in NL specifically advises applicants to contact their chosen institution about additional scholarship opportunities.

Final Words

Studying in the Netherlands on a scholarship can be an excellent opportunity for international students, but applicants should carefully distinguish between partial scholarships and fully funded scholarships.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, the NL Scholarship provides €5,000 for the first year and is available to eligible non-EEA students applying to participating Dutch institutions. Other university-specific scholarships may provide different levels of funding.

The most important step is to choose your programme first, check its admission and scholarship requirements, prepare your documents, and submit everything before the university’s official deadline.

Official Resources

Study in NL – NL Scholarship:
https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/nl-scholarship

Study in NL – How to Apply:
https://www.studyinnl.org/plan-your-stay/how-to-apply

Study in NL – Finding a Scholarship:
https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/finding-a-scholarship-step-by-step

Study in NL – Scholarships:
https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/scholarships

Important: Scholarship availability, participating institutions, requirements, and deadlines can change. Always verify the latest information on the official university and Study in NL websites before submitting an application.