MastersFully Funded (partial tuition, visa, insurance; living costs not covered)

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Last verified 18 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The Radboud Scholarship Programme is a highly selective scholarship for talented, highly motivated, non-EEA students with outstanding study results, offering a scholarship for a complete English-taught Radboud University Master’s programme. It significantly reduces tuition fees and covers costs for visa, residence permit, health insurance, and liability insurance. Living costs are not covered. A maximum of 33 scholarships are available annually across various faculties.

Provider: Radboud University
Host country: Netherlands
Deadline: Not available — check official website
Region: Europe

Official source

Topics

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Radboud Scholarship Programme is open to African students applying to study in Netherlands at the Masters level, with fully funded (partial tuition, visa, insurance; living costs not covered) 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: Masters · applicants for Netherlands
Funding: Fully Funded (partial tuition, visa, insurance; living costs not covered)
Study level: Masters
Deadline: Not available — check official website

Key eligibility criteria

Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
Currently applying to or enrolled at the Masters level
Willing to study in Netherlands
Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3

See full eligibility criteria ↓

What the fully funded (partial tuition, visa, insurance; living costs not covered) award covers

Full tuition
Health insurance
Visa & residence costs

About the Radboud Scholarship Programme (2026)

# Radboud Scholarship Programme: Comprehensive Brief for Prospective Applicants ## Overview The Radboud Scholarship Programme (RSP) is a highly competitive and prestigious scholarship designed for talented, highly motivated non-EEA students with exceptional academic records. This programme offers successful applicants the opportunity to pursue an English-taught Master's programme at Radboud University in the Netherlands. The scholarship significantly reduces tuition fees and covers essential costs such as visa, residence permit, and health/liability insurance. It is important to note that living and studying costs in the Netherlands are not included. The RSP is funded by the Profiling Fund of Radboud University, ensuring adherence to specific regulations. A maximum of 33 scholarships are available annually across various faculties, including Arts, Law, Nijmegen School of Management, Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, Science, and Social Sciences. ## Benefits Recipients of the Radboud Scholarship receive substantial financial and logistical support. The primary benefit is a significant reduction in tuition fees, bringing them down to €2,694 instead of the standard €18,000 (figures are illustrative for the 2026/2027 academic year and depend on the specific Master's programme). This represents a considerable saving for international students. In addition to the tuition fee reduction, the scholarship covers the costs associated with obtaining a visa, residence permit, and comprehensive health and liability insurance (Aon Student Insurance) for the duration of the student's stay in the Netherlands. For students admitted to a two-year Master's programme, the scholarship may be renewed for the second year, provided they successfully pass all courses in the first year. The Radboud Scholarship can also be combined with the NL Scholarship, offering further potential financial aid. ## Eligibility To be eligible for the Radboud Scholarship Programme, applicants must meet a strict set of criteria. Firstly, candidates must hold a non-EU/non-EEA passport and not be eligible for the lower EU/EEA tuition fee for any other reason. Secondly, applicants must have obtained or be in the process of obtaining a Bachelor's degree outside the Netherlands, without having received any prior degrees or extensive education in the Netherlands (exchange programmes are excluded if they were part of a Bachelor's degree achieved outside the Netherlands). Additionally, candidates must satisfy the English language proficiency requirements for their chosen Master's programme. Full admission to an English-taught Master's programme starting September 1st, 2026, as confirmed by a formal letter of admission, is mandatory. Applicants must also be able to fulfill all conditions for obtaining a Dutch visa and must be enrolled as a full-time student at Radboud University for the academic year and Master's programme for which the scholarship is awarded. All English-taught Master's programmes are eligible, with the exception of Erasmus Mundus and joint-degree Master's programmes. ## Required Documents When applying for the Radboud Scholarship, specific documents beyond those required for Master's programme admission are necessary. Applicants must upload two reference letters and a comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV). It is important to note that if these documents were already submitted for the Master's programme application, they must be re-uploaded specifically for the scholarship application within the OSIRIS Application system. The quality of the recommendations in the reference letters is a key selection criterion, with a preference for two academic references. Guidelines for reference letters are available on the official website. Ensure all documents are accurate, legible, and submitted by the stipulated deadlines, as incomplete applications will not be considered for the scholarship selection. ## How to Apply The application process for the Radboud Scholarship is integrated within the Master's programme admission application. Prospective students should indicate their wish to apply for a Radboud Scholarship within the OSIRIS Application system when submitting their Master's programme application. This will prompt the system to request the submission of the three additional required documents: two reference letters and a curriculum vitae. While the scholarship and Master's programme admissions are separate processes, applying for both concurrently through the OSIRIS system streamlines the initial steps. It is crucial to meet all deadlines for both the initial application and the completion of the application with any necessary corrections or missing information. Applicants are advised to submit their proof of English proficiency before the final completion deadline. ## Key Dates The application process for the Radboud Scholarship Programme has critical deadlines that must be strictly adhered to. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the absolute latest date to submit your initial application in the online OSIRIS Application system, indicating your scholarship interest, was **January 31, 2026, at 23:59 CET**. Following this, the Radboud University Student Admissions office checks applications and may return them for payment of the handling fee or for correction of incorrect, illegible, or missing documents. Applicants must re-submit their application as soon as possible after this review. The final deadline for a complete application, including all necessary documents and corrections, was **February 14, 2026, at 23:59 CET**. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of the final decision regarding their Radboud Scholarship application by mid-April 2026, though this date is subject to change. ## Selection Criteria Selection for the Radboud Scholarship is highly competitive and based on several key criteria. **Academic excellence** is paramount, demonstrated through outstanding study results (grades, test scores, publications), the relevance of previous degrees to the chosen Master's programme, and the ranking of the university where prior degrees were obtained. **Ambition** is also a significant factor, assessed through the quality and relevance of the motivation letter for the Master's programme, evidence of promise based on past achievements and performance in the relevant field, and life experience or extracurricular activities such as internships or volunteering. Finally, the **quality of the recommendations** in the two reference letters is crucial, with a strong preference for academic references. Each applicant is individually considered by the selection committee of the faculty they applied to, and while these are the primary criteria, some faculties or study programmes may incorporate additional assessments, such as interviews. ## Tips To maximize your chances of securing a Radboud Scholarship, focus on presenting a strong application that highlights your academic strengths and future potential. Pay meticulous attention to the academic excellence criteria by ensuring your transcripts and other academic records clearly demonstrate outstanding results. Craft a compelling motivation letter that articulates your ambitions, explains how your previous experiences align with your chosen Master's programme, and showcases your commitment to your field of study. Secure two strong academic references that can speak to your abilities and potential. Start your application process early to allow ample time to gather all necessary documents, including proof of English proficiency, and to address any potential issues or requests for further information from the admissions office before the final deadline. Double-check all submission deadlines, particularly the distinction between the initial application and the complete application deadline. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Radboud Scholarship Programme, including detailed guidelines and application procedures, please refer to the official Radboud University website: [https://www.ru.nl/en/education/scholarships/radboud-scholarship-programme](https://www.ru.nl/en/education/scholarships/radboud-scholarship-programme) Additional resources, such as reference letter guidelines and information on the NL Scholarship, are also available through links on the official page. For specific inquiries not covered by the website, you may contact team Student Life and International Mobility via scholarships@ru.nl, but this email should not be used for application submissions.

What the Fully Funded (partial tuition, visa, insurance; living costs not covered) Radboud Scholarship Programme covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Full tuition
Health insurance
Visa & residence costs

Radboud Scholarship Programme eligibility for Netherlands applicants

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

Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
Currently applying to or enrolled at the Masters level
Willing to study in Netherlands
Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
Demonstrated financial need (most fully funded sponsors verify household income)

Documents required for the Radboud Scholarship Programme 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)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Radboud Scholarship Programme 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.ru.nl/en/education/scholarships/radboud-scholarship-programme and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.
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.ru.nl/en/education/scholarships/radboud-scholarship-programme, 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 Not available — check official website (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, Radboud University 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.

Radboud Scholarship Programme 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

Editorial verification note

The page states that the deadline for 2026-2027 has passed and provides dates for 2026-2027 applications ending February 14, 2026. No future deadline is explicitly stated for 2027-2028.

Last checked 5/18/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Radboud Scholarship Programme?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Radboud University, and be able to relocate to Netherlands for the duration of the programme.

Is the Radboud Scholarship Programme fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded (partial tuition, visa, insurance; living costs not covered). 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 Not available — check official website. 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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