The scholarships are open for all non-EU/EEA international students who want to pursue their master’s degree from the university. Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships (UES) 2025 are life-changing opportunities for students who belong to the top 10% of their graduating class and want to pursue a master’s degree at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, Utrecht University.

In this blog, you’ll learn everything about Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships (UES) 2025, benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, step-by-step application process, and the official deadline.

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Benefits of Utrecht Excellence Scholarships

Here’s what the program provides:

  • Master’s degree: The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship program is a fantastic opportunity for the master’s degree holders.
  • Full tuition fee coverage: The scholarship will cover the whole tuition fee of the student.
  • Living allowance for one year: Income required for a period of one year is also included in the scholarship.
  • Income for a Dutch residence permit: The income is linked to a residence permit for study as determined by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).
  • Renewable support: The scholarship can be renewed for the 2nd year of the program.

Duration of the program:

The master’s program is of standard length of 2 years. The scholarship is awarded for one year but it can be renewed for the next year. The renewal of the scholarship depends upon the academic performance of the student.

Number of Scholarships Available

The UES is highly competitive and limited. Only 20 to 25 scholarships are awarded each year across all eligible master’s programs. This makes it essential to stand out not just with grades, but also with a strong application, motivation letter, and clear academic vision. 

You can also Apply for MIT scholarships for international students.

What are the eligibility criteria for the scholarship?

Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships is a highly selective and competitive scholarship program. The applicants have to meet the following eligibility requirements to get enrolled for the scholarship. The applicant must:

  • Academic excellence: You must belong to the top 10% of your graduating class (with official proof such as a ranking certificate).
  • International student status: You must be a non-EU/EEA student.
  • No Dutch financial support: You should not be eligible for the Dutch study grant or loan system.
  • Previous education outside the Netherlands: Both your secondary school and bachelor’s degree must be completed outside the Netherlands.
  • Application to an eligible master’s program:  The master’s program you choose must participate in the UES. Always check the Tuition fees and financial support section of your chosen program to confirm scholarship availability.
  • Start date: You must apply for a program beginning on 1 September 2025.

How to apply for Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships?

Applying for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is a step-by-step process. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Choose your program: Select a master’s program at Utrecht University that offers the UES option.
  • Apply for admission: Submit your application for the master’s program via application portal.
  • Create your OSIRIS account: This is the official application system for Utrecht University
  • Submit your admission application: Ensure your program application is complete before the deadline.
  • Apply for the scholarship: After submitting your master’s application, log back into OSIRIS Online Application. Select the UES scholarship option in your dashboard.
  • Upload required documents: Especially proof of being in the top 10% of your graduating class, signed and stamped by your institution.
  • Submit early: Applications open on 1 November 2024 and close on 1 February 2025 at 23:59 CET. Submitting early gives you time to review and correct your application.

Important Note: If you submit between 27 January and 1 February, you cannot update or correct incomplete information. So don’t wait until the last minute.

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Documents Required for the scholarship 

  • Academic excellence with proof (It must show you as top 10% of graduating students, class ranking certificate with stamp and sign of the head of institution, and grades with grading summary).
  • Passport (usually the image of the first page of the passport)
  • Curriculum vitae CV/ resume
  • Motivation letter (it must be 1 to 3 pages; get the tips and tricks for writing a motivation letter
  • Recommendation letter (almost 2 to 4 recommendation letters are required)
  • Research project summary. (it must be of 3 pages maximum; don’t exceed 1000 characters including spaces)

Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships is 1st February 23:59 CET. After this, the application portal will be closed and you won’t be able to submit, review, or edit your application.

FAQs

Q: Is this an annual scholarship?

A: Yes, it is an annual scholarship.

Q: Is IELTS required for the program?

A: Yes. Since all programs are taught in English, proof of English proficiency such as IELTS (or TOEFL) is mandatory.

Q: Which is the host country for the scholarship?

A: Netherlands

Q: What is the duration of the scholarship program?

A: The duration is 1 to 2 years.

Q: How many scholarships are offered?

A: Between 20–25 scholarships are awarded each year.

Q: Who is eligible to apply?

A: International students from outside the EU/EEA who are among the top 10% of their graduating class and meet the admission requirements of Utrecht University master’s programs.

Q: What costs does the scholarship cover?

A: The scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides a living allowance equivalent to the income requirement linked to a student residence permit in the Netherlands.

Q: Can I apply for any master’s program at Utrecht University?

A: No. Only selected international master’s programs participate in the scholarship. You must check the Tuition fees and financial support section of your chosen program to confirm if the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship applies.

Official website

To get more information about the scholarship, you have to visit the official website of the Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships.

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Updated by Z on Sep 22, 2025