Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28

Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28. Maastricht University has opened applications for 18 fully funded NL-High Potential Scholarships for the 2027–2028 academic year, offering highly talented non-EU/EEA international students the opportunity to pursue eligible full-time master’s programmes in the Netherlands. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, living expenses of €1,550 per month, health and liability insurance, visa costs, pre-academic training and selected ambassador-programme costs. Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close on 1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET, although applicants must complete their qualifying master’s admission application by 10 December 2026.

⚠️ Important Accuracy Note

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is:

A FULL SCHOLARSHIP

but only:

18 SCHOLARSHIPS

are available each academic year.

Maastricht University explicitly warns that the programme is:

HIGHLY COMPETITIVE

and states that only approximately:

2% OF APPLICANTS

receive the scholarship.

Applicants must also understand that:

NOT EVERY MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY MASTER’S PROGRAMME PARTICIPATES.

Only students admitted to one of the officially participating full-time master’s programmes for 2027–2028 can compete for the scholarship.

🇳🇱 Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–28: Quick Overview

Detail	Information
University	Maastricht University
Country	Netherlands
Scholarship	UM NL-High Potential Scholarship
Academic Year	2027–2028
Number of Scholarships	18
Study Level	Master’s
Eligible Nationalities	Non-EU/EEA Applicants, Subject to Rules
Tuition Fees	Fully Covered
Living Allowance	€1,550 Per Month
13-Month Living Support	€20,150
25-Month Living Support	€38,750
Health & Liability Insurance	€700
Visa Costs	Covered at Cost
Pre-Academic Training	Covered
Scholarship Duration	13 or 25 Months
Maximum Age	35 on 1 September 2027
Academic Requirement	GPA Equivalent to at Least 7.5/10
Master’s Admission Deadline for Scholarship Eligibility	10 December 2026
Scholarship Deadline	1 February 2027, 23:59 CET
Applications Opened	1 October 2026
Selection Rate	About 2%
Application	Maastricht University

🏛️ About Maastricht University

Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28

Maastricht University is a research university in the:

🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS

with a strong international student population and a broad portfolio of:

🎓 MASTER’S PROGRAMMES

🔬 RESEARCH MASTER’S PROGRAMMES

and:

🌍 INTERNATIONALLY ORIENTED DEGREES.

The university offers several scholarship schemes for talented international students, but applicants are generally allowed to apply for:

ONE MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP ONLY.

🎓 What Is the UM NL-High Potential Scholarship?

The programme combines two funding streams:

HIGH POTENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP

funded through the:

MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

and:

NL SCHOLARSHIP

supported by the Dutch:

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SCIENCE

together with Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences.

It is specifically aimed at highly talented students from:

OUTSIDE THE EU/EEA

who want to complete a:

FULL MASTER’S DEGREE

at Maastricht University.

🏆 How Many Scholarships Are Available?

For the 2027–2028 academic year:

🎓 18 FULL SCHOLARSHIPS

are available.

Because the number is small relative to the number of applications received each year, applicants should expect:

VERY STRONG COMPETITION.

💰 What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The scholarship package is extensive.

It includes:

💶 LIVING EXPENSES

🎓 TUITION FEES

🏥 HEALTH & LIABILITY INSURANCE

🛂 VISA APPLICATION COSTS

📚 PRE-ACADEMIC TRAINING

and:

🌍 SELECTED INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME COSTS.

Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28

💶 Living Allowance

For a:

ONE-YEAR MASTER’S PROGRAMME

the living allowance is:

€20,150 FOR 13 MONTHS.

For a:

TWO-YEAR MASTER’S PROGRAMME

the total is:

€38,750 FOR 25 MONTHS.

This works out to:

💰 €1,550 PER MONTH.

🏠 What Is the Monthly Living Allowance Intended to Cover?

Maastricht University breaks the €1,550 monthly amount into estimated categories including:

• Housing
• Groceries and personal hygiene
• Telephone
• Local travel
• Books and study materials
• Clothing and leisure
• Miscellaneous costs.

The indicative monthly housing component is:

€960.

✈️ Are International Flights Covered?

No.

Maastricht University specifically states that:

AIR TICKETS ARE NOT INCLUDED

and must be paid by the scholarship recipient.

Applicants should therefore budget for:

TRAVEL TO THE NETHERLANDS

separately.

🏥 Health and Liability Insurance

The scholarship includes:

€700

for health and liability insurance.

This is arranged and paid by the:

UM INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DESK.

🛂 Visa Costs

Visa application costs are:

COVERED AT COST.

This is especially important for applicants from:

AFRICA

ASIA

LATIN AMERICA

and other non-EU/EEA regions who generally need immigration documentation before travelling to the Netherlands.

🎓 Tuition Fees

The scholarship covers:

TUITION FEES AT COST.

The actual tuition amount depends on the participating master’s programme.

📚 Pre-Academic Training

The programme also covers the cost of:

PRE-ACADEMIC TRAINING.

The university states that scholarship recipients must complete a:

TWO-WEEK MANDATORY PRE-ACADEMIC TRAINING PROGRAMME

beginning in the:

FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST 2027.

🌍 International Student Ambassador Programme

Scholarship recipients also participate in the university’s:

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME — ISAP.

Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28

The scholarship covers the first block of this programme at cost.

Recipients must also agree to act as:

UM NL-HIGH POTENTIAL

and:

MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY AMBASSADORS

during and after their studies.

⏱️ Scholarship Duration

The scholarship runs for:

13 MONTHS

for a one-year master’s degree.

For a two-year master’s:

25 MONTHS.

🏠 Mandatory Accommodation Requirement

Maastricht University has an important housing condition.

Scholarship recipients receive an allocated room until:

16 JULY 2028.

Accepting the scholarship means accepting the university-arranged room.

The university explicitly states that:

REFUSING THE ROOM MEANS THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE CANCELLED.

🏡 Two-Year Programme Students

Students completing a:

TWO-YEAR MASTER’S

will need to arrange their own accommodation for the:

SECOND YEAR.

The allocated scholarship accommodation is also not suitable for:

PARTNERS

SPOUSES

CHILDREN

or:

PETS.

💵 Cleaning Fee

The scholarship does not cover the approximately:

€75 CLEANING FEE

charged by Maastricht Housing.

Students must pay this separately.

🌍 Who Can Apply?

Applicants must satisfy all of Maastricht University’s scholarship requirements.

🌐 1. Nationality Requirement

You must hold citizenship from a country:

OUTSIDE THE EU/EEA

and also outside:

SWITZERLAND

and:

SURINAM.

You must also meet the requirements for obtaining the necessary:

ENTRY VISA

and:

DUTCH RESIDENCE PERMIT.

🚫 Dual EU/EEA Nationality

Applicants cannot have dual nationality involving:

AN EU/EEA COUNTRY

or:

SWITZERLAND.

🎓 2. Master’s Admission Requirement

You must apply to a:

PARTICIPATING FULL-TIME MASTER’S PROGRAMME

for the:

2027–2028 ACADEMIC YEAR.

Importantly, your master’s admission application must be:

FULLY COMPLETE

and meet all admission requirements before:

📅 10 DECEMBER 2026.

This is earlier than the:

1 FEBRUARY 2027 SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE.

📚 3. Programme Requirements

You must meet all specific admission requirements for your chosen:

MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY MASTER’S DEGREE.

Individual programmes can have additional requirements relating to:

PREVIOUS DEGREE

SUBJECT BACKGROUND

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

and:

ACADEMIC PREPARATION.

🚫 4. Previous Degree Study in the Netherlands

Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28

Applicants must not previously have participated in a:

DEGREE-SEEKING HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN THE NETHERLANDS.

However:

EXCHANGE STUDY IN THE NETHERLANDS

does not automatically exclude applicants.

🎓 Previous Master’s Degree

Applicants who already hold a master’s degree are not automatically excluded, but Maastricht University says:

PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO CANDIDATES WHO HAVE NOT YET OBTAINED A MASTER’S DEGREE.

🎂 Age Limit

Applicants must be:

35 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER

on:

📅 1 SEPTEMBER 2027.

Anyone older than 35 on that date does not meet this requirement.

📊 Academic Excellence Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate:

EXCELLENT ACADEMIC RESULTS.

The latest academic transcript should show a GPA equivalent to at least:

7.5 OUT OF 10.

Applicants using another grading scale should ensure their academic record can demonstrate an equivalent high level of performance.

🌍 Can African Students Apply?

Yes.

Eligible students from African countries can apply because the scholarship targets:

NON-EU/EEA NATIONALS.

Examples of previous scholarship recipients shown by Maastricht University include students from:

🇪🇹 ETHIOPIA

and:

🇪🇬 EGYPT,

demonstrating the scholarship’s relevance to African applicants.

🇿🇼 Can Zimbabwean Students Apply?

Yes.

Zimbabwe is:

OUTSIDE THE EU/EEA, SWITZERLAND AND SURINAM

so eligible Zimbabwean students can potentially apply if they satisfy all other requirements.

These include:

✅ Admission to a participating master’s programme

✅ GPA equivalent to at least 7.5/10

✅ Age 35 or younger on 1 September 2027

✅ No prohibited EU/EEA dual nationality

✅ Ability to obtain the required Dutch visa and residence permit.

📝 How to Apply

The scholarship application takes place in stages.

Step 1 — Apply for a Participating Master’s Programme

Applicants must first apply for one of Maastricht University’s:

PARTICIPATING MASTER’S PROGRAMMES

through:

STUDIELINK.

Step 2 — Obtain Your Maastricht University Student ID

Once the university application has been submitted through Studielink, you receive a:

MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY STUDENT NUMBER.

This is required to submit the scholarship application.

Step 3 — Complete Your Admission File

To remain eligible for the scholarship, the complete programme admission application must be submitted by:

📅 10 DECEMBER 2026.

This is one of the most important dates in the process.

Step 4 — Complete the Scholarship Application Form

After obtaining a UM account and student number, applicants can complete the official:

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM.

Step 5 — Submit All Required Documents

Applicants should check every document carefully.

Maastricht University warns that after submission:

DOCUMENTS CANNOT BE ADDED OR REPLACED.

Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28

Step 6 — Submit Before the Scholarship Deadline

Applications close:

📅 1 FEBRUARY 2027 AT 23:59 CET.

📋 Application Checklist

Before submitting, prepare:

✅ Master’s Programme Application

Apply to an eligible programme.

✅ Full Admission File

Complete by:

10 DECEMBER 2026.

✅ Academic Transcript

Must demonstrate strong results equivalent to:

7.5/10 OR HIGHER.

✅ Scholarship Application

Complete using your Maastricht University account.

✅ Passport / Nationality Details

Needed to confirm non-EU/EEA eligibility.

✅ Visa Eligibility

Ensure you meet Dutch immigration requirements.

✅ Required Supporting Documents

Follow the official scholarship form precisely.

✅ Deadline

Submit by:

1 FEBRUARY 2027, 23:59 CET.

🧠 Selection Process

After the scholarship deadline, applications go through several stages.

Step 1 — Completeness Check

After:

1 FEBRUARY 2027,

the UM International Services Desk reviews applications for completeness.

Step 2 — Faculty Review

Complete applications are forwarded to the relevant:

MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY FACULTIES

in:

FEBRUARY 2027.

Step 3 — Faculty Ranking

Each faculty selects and ranks:

ITS TOP FIVE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS

before sending them back for final review in:

MARCH 2027.

Step 4 — Interviews

Shortlisted candidates can proceed to interviews.

Step 5 — Final Results

Maastricht University states that candidates will be informed of their status in:

APRIL 2027.

Applicants should know whether they are:

SELECTED

WAITLISTED

or:

REJECTED

by the beginning of:

MAY 2027

at the latest.

Step 6 — Accept the Award

Successful recipients must:

SIGN

and:

RETURN

their scholarship award letter to formally accept the scholarship.

📅 Important Dates

Applications Open

1 OCTOBER 2026

Complete Master’s Admission File

10 DECEMBER 2026

Scholarship Deadline

1 FEBRUARY 2027 — 23:59 CET

Faculty Review

FEBRUARY–MARCH 2027

Scholarship Results

APRIL–EARLY MAY 2027

Pre-Academic Training

FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST 2027

Academic Year

2027–2028

🎯 How to Strengthen Your Application

📊 Aim Well Above the Minimum GPA

The official minimum scholarship standard is:

7.5/10

but only around:

2% OF APPLICANTS

receive an award.

Applicants should therefore not treat the minimum GPA as a guarantee of competitiveness.

🎓 Choose a Programme That Fits Your Academic Background

Admissions and scholarship selection are connected.

Your academic profile should strongly support the:

MASTER’S PROGRAMME

you choose.

✍️ Make Your Motivation Specific

Explain clearly:

WHY MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY

WHY THE PARTICULAR MASTER’S

and:

HOW THE DEGREE CONNECTS TO YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS.

Avoid generic statements that could be used for any scholarship.

🌍 Demonstrate International and Community Impact

Recipients must serve as:

SCHOLARSHIP AND UNIVERSITY AMBASSADORS.

Showing evidence of:

LEADERSHIP

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

ACADEMIC INITIATIVE

or:

INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK

can strengthen the overall narrative of an application.

📋 Submit a Complete File

Maastricht University explicitly states that:

DOCUMENTS CANNOT BE REPLACED AFTER SUBMISSION.

Proofread everything before final submission.

⚠️ Common Application Mistakes

Avoid:

• Applying to a non-participating master’s programme
• Missing the 10 December 2026 admission deadline
• Waiting until 1 February to begin the master’s application
• Assuming all non-EU students automatically qualify
• Applying when older than 35 on 1 September 2027
• Ignoring the minimum 7.5/10 GPA requirement
• Having prohibited EU/EEA or Swiss dual nationality
• Assuming flights are covered
• Refusing the mandatory scholarship accommodation
• Submitting incomplete documents
• Attempting to replace documents after scholarship submission
• Applying for multiple Maastricht University scholarships when only one is allowed
• Assuming meeting minimum eligibility guarantees selection

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–28 open?

Yes.

Applications opened on:

1 OCTOBER 2026.

How many scholarships are available?

18 FULL SCHOLARSHIPS.

Is the scholarship fully funded?

Yes.

It covers:

TUITION

LIVING EXPENSES

HEALTH & LIABILITY INSURANCE

VISA COSTS

and several required programme expenses.

How much is the monthly stipend?

€1,550 PER MONTH.

What is the total living allowance for a one-year master’s?

€20,150.

What about a two-year master’s?

€38,750.

Are tuition fees covered?

Yes.

They are covered:

AT COST.

Are visa fees covered?

Yes.

Visa application costs are covered at cost.

Is health insurance included?

Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28

Yes.

The 2027–28 scholarship lists:

€700

for health and liability insurance.

Are flights included?

No.

Air tickets must be paid by the applicant.

How long does the scholarship last?

13 MONTHS

for a one-year master’s and:

25 MONTHS

for a two-year master’s.

Who can apply?

Applicants from eligible:

NON-EU/EEA COUNTRIES

who meet all academic, age, nationality and admissions requirements.

Can African students apply?

Yes.

Eligible applicants from African countries can apply.

Can Zimbabweans apply?

Yes, subject to the full scholarship and master’s admission requirements.

What is the maximum age?

Applicants must not be older than:

35

on:

1 SEPTEMBER 2027.

What GPA is required?

The latest transcript must show academic performance equivalent to at least:

7.5 OUT OF 10.

Can applicants who already have a master’s degree apply?

Yes, but Maastricht University says preference is given to candidates who:

HAVE NOT YET OBTAINED A MASTER’S DEGREE.

Can applicants who previously studied in the Netherlands apply?

Applicants who previously completed only an:

EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

in the Netherlands can apply.

Applicants who participated in a:

DEGREE-SEEKING HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME

in the Netherlands are not eligible under the stated rule.

What is the master’s admission deadline?

To remain eligible for the scholarship, applicants must complete their qualifying master’s admission file by:

10 DECEMBER 2026.

What is the scholarship deadline?

📅 1 FEBRUARY 2027 AT 23:59 CET.

How competitive is it?

Maastricht University says only:

ABOUT 2%

of applicants are awarded the scholarship.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28

Maastricht University Opens 18 NL-High Potential Scholarships for 2027–28. The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarships 2027–28 provide one of the university’s most substantial funding opportunities for talented international students from outside the EU/EEA.

For the 2027–2028 academic year, Maastricht University is offering:

🎓 18 FULL SCHOLARSHIPS.

The funding package includes:

💶 €1,550 PER MONTH FOR LIVING EXPENSES

🎓 FULL TUITION COVERAGE

🏥 HEALTH & LIABILITY INSURANCE

🛂 VISA APPLICATION COSTS

and:

📚 MANDATORY PRE-ACADEMIC TRAINING.

For a one-year programme, living support totals:

€20,150.

For a two-year programme:

€38,750.

Applicants must have:

EXCELLENT ACADEMIC RESULTS

including a GPA equivalent to at least:

7.5/10

and must be:

35 OR YOUNGER

on 1 September 2027.

The scholarship is extremely competitive, with Maastricht University stating that only:

AROUND 2% OF APPLICANTS

receive an award.

The most important point for applicants is that the scholarship deadline is not the first deadline.

Students must submit a complete application to a participating master’s programme by:

📅 10 DECEMBER 2026

before submitting the final scholarship application by:

📅 1 FEBRUARY 2027 AT 23:59 CET.

Eligible African applicants, including qualified students from:

🇿🇼 ZIMBABWE,

can potentially compete for one of the 18 scholarships.

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🔑 Key Details

University: Maastricht University
Country: Netherlands
Scholarship: UM NL-High Potential Scholarship
Academic Year: 2027–2028
Number of Awards: 18
Study Level: Master’s
Eligible Applicants: Non-EU/EEA International Students Meeting Full Requirements
Living Allowance: €1,550 Per Month
One-Year Living Support: €20,150
Two-Year Living Support: €38,750
Tuition Fees: Fully Covered at Cost
Health & Liability Insurance: €700
Visa Application Costs: Covered at Cost
Pre-Academic Training: Covered
Flights: Not Covered
Scholarship Duration: 13 or 25 Months
Age Limit: Maximum 35 on 1 September 2027
Minimum Academic Standard: GPA Equivalent to 7.5/10
Master’s Admission Deadline: 10 December 2026
Scholarship Deadline: 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET
Applications Opened: 1 October 2026
Selection Rate: Approximately 2%
African Applicants: Eligible Subject to Rules
Zimbabwean Applicants: Eligible Subject to Rules
Application: Maastricht University / Studielink + Scholarship Application Form

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