Undergraduate, MastersPartial

NL Scholarship

The NL Scholarship is aimed at international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the Netherlands. It offers a €5,000 contribution towards your first year of study.

Provider: Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science / Nuffic
Host country: Netherlands
Deadline: Check with individual institutions
Region: Europe

Official source

Topics

Master's scholarships

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

NL Scholarship is open to African students applying to study in Netherlands at the Undergraduate, Masters level, with partial funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Undergraduate, Masters · applicants for Netherlands
Funding: Partial
Study level: Undergraduate, Masters
Deadline: Check with individual institutions

Key eligibility criteria

Open to non-EEA students applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at a participating Dutch higher education institution. Applicants must meet institutional-specific requirements and should not hold a prior Dutch degree.

About the NL Scholarship (2026)

## Overview The NL Scholarship, previously known as the Holland Scholarship, is a prestigious award designed to attract talented international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to pursue higher education in the Netherlands. This scholarship is a joint initiative, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, as well as a consortium of Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. It provides a significant financial contribution to students embarking on either a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program. ## Benefits The NL Scholarship offers a one-time award of €5,000. This amount is disbursed during the first year of your studies. It is important to note that this is a partial scholarship, intended to help offset the costs of tuition and living expenses, rather than covering them in full. ## Eligibility To be considered for the NL Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: * **Nationality:** You must hold a nationality from a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA). * **Program Type:** You must be applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at one of the Dutch higher education institutions participating in the NL Scholarship program. * **Institutional Requirements:** You must satisfy all specific admission and academic requirements set by the chosen Dutch institution. These requirements can be found on the respective university's website. * **Prior Education:** You should not have obtained a degree from an educational institution in the Netherlands previously. ## Required Documents The official website does not explicitly list required documents for the NL Scholarship itself, as the application process is managed by the individual universities. However, prospective students should prepare standard application documents typically required for university admissions in the Netherlands, which may include: * Academic transcripts and diplomas * Proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL scores) * Motivation letter * Curriculum Vitae (CV) * Letters of recommendation * A valid passport It is crucial to consult the website of your chosen participating institution for their specific application requirements and a comprehensive list of necessary documents. ## How to Apply The application process for the NL Scholarship is integrated with your application to a participating Dutch higher education institution. Here's a general outline: 1. **Choose a Program and Institution:** Identify a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences that participates in the NL Scholarship program. 2. **Check Institutional Requirements:** Visit the website of your chosen institution to understand their specific admission criteria, application procedures, and any additional requirements for the NL Scholarship. 3. **Submit Your Application:** Follow the institution’s guidelines to submit your application for admission to your desired program. During this process, you will typically indicate your interest in applying for the NL Scholarship. 4. **Adhere to Deadlines:** Pay close attention to the application deadlines set by your chosen institution, as these will also govern your NL Scholarship application. ## Key Dates The application window for the NL Scholarship typically opens on **1 November** each year for the academic year two years hence (e.g., 1 November 2025 for the 2026-2027 academic year). However, the specific closing dates for scholarship applications are determined by each participating institution. Therefore, it is essential to check the website of the university or university of applied sciences you intend to apply to for their exact deadlines. ## Selection Criteria While the NL Scholarship program outlines general eligibility, the ultimate selection of scholarship recipients is made by the individual participating universities and universities of applied sciences. Each institution will have its own specific selection criteria, which may include: * Academic merit and achievements * Motivation and suitability for the chosen study program * Extracurricular activities and leadership potential * Relevance of the study program to future career goals It is advisable to contact the international office or admissions department of your preferred institution for detailed information on their selection process and criteria. ## Tips * **Research Thoroughly:** Explore the websites of all participating research universities and universities of applied sciences to find a program that aligns with your academic goals and to understand their specific scholarship application procedures and deadlines. * **Early Application:** Begin your university application process well in advance of the deadlines. This will give you ample time to gather all necessary documents and meet any institutional-specific requirements. * **Strong Application:** Ensure your university application is comprehensive and compelling, highlighting your academic strengths, motivations, and why you are an ideal candidate for both the program and the scholarship. * **Check for Updates:** Scholarship details and participating institutions can change annually. Always refer to the official Study in NL website and the websites of your chosen institutions for the most up-to-date information. ## Official Source For the most accurate and current information regarding the NL Scholarship, please refer to the official website: [https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/holland-scholarship](https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/holland-scholarship) Additionally, consult the individual websites of the participating Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences for their specific application procedures and deadlines. A list of participating institutions for the 2026-2027 academic year can be found on the official scholarship page.

NL Scholarship eligibility for Netherlands applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Open to non-EEA students applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at a participating Dutch higher education institution. Applicants must meet institutional-specific requirements and should not hold a prior Dutch degree.

Documents required for the NL Scholarship application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Standardised test scores where required (SAT or ACT for many U.S. universities)
Secondary-school leaving certificate (WAEC, KCSE, NSC, EGSECE or equivalent)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the NL Scholarship 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/holland-scholarship and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Open to non-EEA students applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at a participating Dutch higher education institution. Applicants must meet institutional-specific requirements and should not hold a prior…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/holland-scholarship, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Check with individual institutions (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science / Nuffic will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

NL Scholarship deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the NL Scholarship?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Undergraduate, Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science / Nuffic, and be able to relocate to Netherlands for the duration of the programme.

Is the NL Scholarship fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Check with individual institutions. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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