Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship
The Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (also referred to as Amsterdam Merit Scholarship on current UvA pages) is awarded by the University of Amsterdam to outstanding non-EU/EEA students pursuing Master's degrees. It provides approximately €25,000-€25,900 per year, covering tuition fees and living expenses, paid in monthly installments (tuition must be paid upfront). The duration is one academic year, with possible extension for two-year programs upon satisfactory progress (e.g., 40+ ECTS in first year).
Selection is highly competitive, based on academic excellence (top 10%, GPA equivalent to 8.0 Dutch scale), motivation letter, CV with extracurriculars, and overall application quality. Applications are submitted alongside or after Master's program application, varying by faculty (e.g., Law School: specific LLM programs like International and European Law).
The scholarship aims to attract top international talent to UvA's international classrooms. Recipients must enroll full-time and comply with visa requirements. No other full scholarships allowed for the same period.
Eligibility Requirements
- Hold non-EU/EEA passport (notify of changes)
- Not eligible for Dutch study grants/loans (Studiefinanciering)
- First-time Master's applicant at UvA
- Minimum GPA: 8.0/10 (NL), 4.0/4.0 (US), first-class honours (UK)
- Strong motivation letter (<500 words) explaining program choice and scholarship need
- CV including extracurriculars (leadership, international experience, volunteering)
- Admitted/conditionally admitted to eligible English-taught Master's program
- Able to obtain Dutch visa and enroll full-time
- Sufficient funds for other costs; program completed <3 years ago (some faculties)
- No other full scholarship for same period
For thorough eligibility and selection information, visit the official website or contact the organizers directly.