MastersMerit-based partial tuition fee waiver; can be combined with the NL Scholarship (EUR 5,000 towards living costs)

VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)

Last verified 19 October 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

VU Amsterdam's merit tuition waiver for non-EU/EEA master's students, often combined with the NL Scholarship for living costs. Deadlines are set per programme.

Provider: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Host country: Netherlands
Deadline: Programme-specific (historically 1 December and 1 February rounds)
Region: Europe

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: Non-EU/EEA students paying the higher institutional tuition fee, including African applicants, admitted to a VU Amsterdam master's programme.
Funding: Merit-based partial tuition fee waiver; can be combined with the NL Scholarship (EUR 5,000 towards living costs)
Study level: Masters
Deadline: Programme-specific (historically 1 December and 1 February rounds)

Key eligibility criteria

Non-EU/EEA students paying the higher institutional tuition fee, including African applicants, admitted to a VU Amsterdam master's programme.

Recorded funding information

Merit-based partial tuition fee waiver; can be combined with the NL Scholarship (EUR 5,000 towards living costs)

About the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) (2026)

# VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) Brief ## Overview The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) is a prestigious, merit-based tuition fee waiver offered by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Designed to attract highly motivated and academically excellent international students, the VUFP provides a unique opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree in the Netherlands. The university demonstrates its commitment to global talent by allocating approximately 1 million euros to this program. It is specifically intended for students from non-EU/EEA countries who are subject to higher tuition fees. The VUFP can be combined with the NL Scholarship, which offers a contribution towards living costs, although a separate application for the NL Scholarship is not required as it is integrated into the VUFP application process. This brief outlines the key aspects of the VUFP to assist prospective applicants. ## Benefits * **Tuition Fee Waiver:** The primary benefit of the VUFP is a full tuition fee waiver, significantly reducing the financial burden of pursuing a Master's degree in the Netherlands for non-EU/EEA students. It is crucial to note that the scholarship *only* covers tuition fees and does not include allowances for living expenses such as rent, food, or insurance. * **Opportunity to Combine with NL Scholarship:** While applying for the VUFP, applicants are automatically considered for the NL Scholarship. This additional scholarship provides a contribution towards living costs, typically €5,000 or €10,000 for the first year of study. However, the NL Scholarship is awarded to a limited number of VUFP recipients (around 20-25 per year) and is only for the first year of a Master's program. * **Two-Year Programme Coverage (Conditional):** For students enrolled in a two-year Master's programme, the VUFP scholarship can be extended for the second year, provided that 100% of the first-year ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) have been successfully achieved. * **International Student Ambassador Role:** As a recipient of the VUFP, students agree to become an international student ambassador for VU Amsterdam. This involves engaging with prospective international students, for example, through the Unibuddy chat platform, and contributing to the university's international community. A Kick-Off session and an Ambassador Handbook are provided to support this role. ## Eligibility To be considered for the VU Fellowship Programme, applicants must meet the following stringent criteria: * **Nationality:** Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for the lower tuition fee. Dutch nationality holders are not eligible. * **Academic Excellence:** Demonstrate academic excellence with a GPA (Grade Point Average) equivalent to a Dutch 8.0 on a 1-10 scale. This is a minimum requirement, and actual awardees typically have higher overall scores based on multiple factors. * **Admission Status:** Be conditionally or unconditionally admitted to the first year of a full-time English-taught Master’s programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, starting in September. Students starting in February are not eligible. * **Programme Exclusions:** Joint programmes where VU Amsterdam does not manage the admission process are excluded from VUFP eligibility. * **Prior Education Location:** The degree with which the applicant is seeking admission must not have been obtained in the Netherlands. Furthermore, applicants must not currently be enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's programme in the Netherlands. * **Preparatory Programmes:** Applicants should not require a preparatory programme before the commencement of their Master's studies. * **Two-Year Programme Specifics:** Students already enrolled in a two-year Master’s programme who did not receive the VUFP in the previous academic year are not eligible to apply for the current VUFP cycle. ## Required Documents Applicants for the VUFP must prepare and submit specific documentation as part of their application. Failure to provide complete and accurate information will result in the application being considered incomplete. * **Completed VUFP-NLS Application Form:** This is the primary application document. Applicants must ensure they use the correct and most recent version of the form (e.g., "VUFP-NLS Application form 2026-2027.pdf"). All questions on the form must be answered thoroughly. * **GPA Proof / Programme Transcript:** This document serves as evidence of academic excellence. It should clearly show the applicant's grades from their Bachelor's degree. Even if a Master's degree has been completed, only the Bachelor's GPA will be considered for VUFP purposes. * **Grading Scale Explanation:** Alongside the transcript, a clear explanation of the grading scale used by the applicant's previous institution is required. This helps the VUFP Scholarship Committee accurately assess the GPA against the Dutch grading system. * **Single PDF File:** The completed application form, GPA proof/programme transcript, and grading scale explanation must be saved as a *single* PDF file and uploaded to the Scholarship section of the applicant's personal VU dashboard. ## How to Apply The application process for the VU Fellowship Programme involves several distinct steps, emphasizing timely submission and careful adherence to instructions: 1. **Register for a Master’s Programme (from 1 October):** Begin by registering for your desired Master's programme via Studielink and then in your personal dashboard on vu.nl. Applicants must achieve conditional admission to their chosen Master's programme *before* they can apply for the VUFP scholarship. It is highly recommended to submit the Master's programme application no later than 1 December to allow sufficient time for processing, especially if the programme includes an intake or assessment procedure. 2. **Submit VUFP Application (from 1 November):** Once conditionally admitted, applicants can submit their VUFP application through their personal VU dashboard. It is crucial to note that applicants can only apply for the VUFP for *one* Master's programme. If applying to multiple Master's degrees, a choice must be made for which programme the VUFP application is submitted. 3. **Complete the VUFP-NLS Application Form:** Fill out the specific VUFP-NLS application form, ensuring all questions are answered and the correct version is used. At the end of the form, paste the GPA proof/programme transcript and a grading scale explanation. The entire document (form, GPA proof, grading scale) must be saved as a *single* PDF file. 4. **Upload the Application:** Upload the single PDF file to the Scholarship section located on the "Complete Registration" page of your personal VU dashboard. Applicants can only submit their application once, so thorough review before submission is essential. ## Key Dates Adhering to the application timeline is critical for prospective VUFP applicants. Missing deadlines will result in the inability to be considered for the scholarship. * **Master's Programme Registration Opens:** 1 October 2025 * **Advised Deadline Master's Programme Application:** 1 December 2025 (to ensure conditional admission in time for scholarship application) * **VUFP Application Opens:** 1 November 2025 * **Deadline VUFP Application:** 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET) * **Notification of Results (Expected):** Mid-March 2026 (approximately 6 weeks after the application deadline) * **Deadline for Acceptance of Scholarship Offer:** End of March 2026 (2 weeks after results are published) ## Selection Criteria The selection process for the VU Fellowship Programme is highly competitive, with a small percentage of applicants ultimately receiving the scholarship. The Central VUFP Committee makes the final decisions based on a holistic review that considers several factors beyond just academic grades. * **Academic Performance (GPA):** While a minimum GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8.0 is required, meeting this threshold does not guarantee a scholarship. The committee assesses academic excellence based on the GPA from the Bachelor's degree and its comparative standing within the applicant's home country's grading culture. * **Motivation:** The applicant's motivation for choosing Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and their specific Master's programme, as well as their future ambitions, play a significant role in the evaluation. * **Extracurricular Activities:** Engagement in extracurricular activities can also strengthen an application, demonstrating a well-rounded profile. * **Overall Score:** A total score is calculated based on these various factors, including GPA, motivation, and extracurricular engagement. Faculties nominate applicants to the Central Scholarship Committee, which then awards scholarships to the most talented students based on this comprehensive assessment. ## Tips Given the competitive nature of the VUFP, prospective applicants should consider the following tips to maximize their chances of success: * **Apply Early for Master's Programme:** Start your Master

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

Merit-based partial tuition fee waiver; can be combined with the NL Scholarship (EUR 5,000 towards living costs)

VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) eligibility

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

Non-EU/EEA students paying the higher institutional tuition fee, including African applicants, admitted to a VU Amsterdam master's programme.

VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://vu.nl/en/education/more-about/incoming-master-scholarships to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students paying the higher institutional tuition fee, including African applicants, admitted to a VU Amsterdam master's programme.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: Programme-specific (historically 1 December and 1 February rounds). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) deadline & application timeline

Provider deadline information: Programme-specific (historically 1 December and 1 February rounds). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
Programme-specific (historically 1 December and 1 February rounds)
Provider deadline information: Programme-specific (historically 1 December and 1 February rounds). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

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Last checked 10/19/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)?+

Non-EU/EEA students paying the higher institutional tuition fee, including African applicants, admitted to a VU Amsterdam master's programme.

What funding does the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) offer?+

Listed funding: Merit-based partial tuition fee waiver; can be combined with the NL Scholarship (EUR 5,000 towards living costs). Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: Programme-specific (historically 1 December and 1 February rounds). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://vu.nl/en/education/more-about/incoming-master-scholarships to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students paying the higher institutional tuition fee, including African applicants, admitted to a VU Amsterdam master's programme.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Programme-specific (historically 1 December and 1 February rounds). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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