Utrecht Excellence Scholarships
The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES) is a highly selective programme offered by Utrecht University for talented international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). It has been provided since 2007 through the University Fund and alumni contributions to enable outstanding non-EU/EEA students to pursue master's degrees at the university.
The scholarship covers either the full tuition fee or the tuition fee plus the living expenses required for a one-year residence permit as determined by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). For two-year master's programmes, it can be renewed for the second year upon satisfactory academic progress. Approximately 20-25 scholarships were available annually across graduate schools.
Note: Due to significant budget cuts, UES is not being offered for programmes starting in 2026-2027 due to budget adjustments. The most recent cycle was for 2025-2026 intake. The official programme page returns 404, and it is absent from current scholarships listings.
Eligibility Requirements
- Belong to the top 10% of graduating class (official proof required).
- Not hold an EU/EEA passport and not eligible for Dutch study grant/loan system.
- Completed secondary school and/or bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands.
- Applied for an eligible international master’s programme starting 1 September 2025 (not all programmes participate).
- Able to comply with conditions for Dutch student visa/residence permit.
For thorough eligibility and selection information, visit the official website or contact the organizers directly.